Question

The term Satyagraha was used by Mahatma Gandhi for the first time during________.
A) Kheda Movement
B) Champaran Movement
C) Khilafat Movement
D) Rowlatt Movement

Answer 1

Hint: Satyagraha means truth - force . It was a term that was coined by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa to explain his philosophy that non-violence has the power of resolving problems like injustice and exploitation.

Complete answer: The word Satyagraha was conceived in 1906 by Gandhiji in response to the discriminating law that was passed by Britishers against Asians in South Africa. The term Satyagraha was first used during the indigo growing district of Champaran.
The Champaran Movement was the first Satyagraha movement and is marked as a very important revolt in history. It was a farmer’s revolt that happened in Champaran district in 1917, during the colonial times when the farmers began to protest against cultivating indigo without any payment given. The Champaran Satyagraha gave a direction to the freedom struggle of the Indians who were torn between moderates which wanted Indian rule under the guidance of British and extremists who were in favour of complete eradication of British power by resorting to methods of violence.
The Champaran Andolan had two-fold meanings :
The first was to challenge the British powers by protesting against the growth of indigo. Mahatma Gandhi took the responsibility of educating the masses and telling them about the importance of self-reliance.
The second meaning was to launch his Satyagraha movement and resort to passive resistance and mobilise it into a successful mass movement.

Note: The Champaran Satyagraha was the first civil disobedience movement to take place and paved the way for other mass movements led by Gandhi. The movement also showed the importance of mass mobilisation, and the importance of self-reliance and dependence.