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{{Short description|Civil resistance movement organized by Gandhi in India}}
{{Short description|Civil resistance movement organized by Gandhi in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox event
{{Infobox event
| title                    = Kheda Satyagraha
| title                    = Kheda Satyagraha
| image                    = Gandhi Kheda 1918.jpg
| image                    = Gandhi Kheda 1918.jpg
| image_size              =
| image_upright            =
| image_alt                =
| caption                  = [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1918, when he led the Kheda Satyagraha
| caption                  = [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1918, when he led the Kheda Satyagraha
| native_name              =  
| native_name              =  
| native_name_lang        =  
| native_name_lang        =  
| english_name            = Khera
| english_name            = Khaira movement
| venue                    =
| venue                    =
| date                    = 11 March 1918
| date                    = 22 March — 5 June 1918
| location                = [[Kheda district]], [[Gujarat]], [[British Raj|India]]  
| location                = [[Kheda district]], [[Gujarat]], [[British Raj|India]]
| coordinates              = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| coordinates              = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| also_known_as            =
| also_known_as            =
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| first_reporter          =
| first_reporter          =
| budget                  =
| budget                  =
| patron                  = honesty & hardwork
| organisers              = [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]], [[ Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Indulal Yagnik]], [[Shankarlal Banker]], [[Mahadev Desai]], [[Narhari Parikh]], [[Mohanlal Pandya]] and [[Ravi Shankar Vyas]]
| organisers              = [[Gandhi]], [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]] [[Indulal Yagnik]], [[Shankarlal Banker]], [[Mahadev Desai]], [[Narhari Parikh]], [[Mohanlal Pandya]] and [[Ravi Shankar Vyas]]
| filmed_by                =
| filmed_by                =
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}}
}}


The '''Kheda Satyagraha of 1918''' was a [[satyagraha]] movement in the [[Kheda district]] of [[Gujarat]] in [[British Raj|India]] organised by [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]] during the period of the [[British Raj]]. It was a major revolt in the [[Indian independence movement]]. It was the third Satyagraha movement. After the successful Satyagraha conducted at Champaran<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kheda-satyagraha-centenary-mahatma-gandhi-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel/210282|title=100 years of Kheda Satyagraha and Gandhi's journey from Mohandas to Mahatma {{!}} India News|access-date=2018-10-30|language=en-GB}}</ref> Bihar in 1916, Gandhi organised the movement to support peasants who were unable to pay the revenue because of famine and plague epidemic.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJeKBAAAQBAJ&q=Barharwa&pg=PA158|title=Modern India 1886-1947|last=Sarkar|first=Sumit|year=2014|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9789332540859|language=en}}</ref>
The '''Kheda Satyagraha of 1918''' was a [[satyagraha]] movement in the [[Kheda district]] of [[Gujarat]] in [[British Raj|India]] organised by [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]] during the period of the [[British Raj]]. It was a major revolt in the [[Indian independence movement]]. It was the second Satyagraha movement, which was launched 7 days after the Ahmedabad mill strike. After the successful Satyagraha conducted at Champaran<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kheda-satyagraha-centenary-mahatma-gandhi-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel/210282|title=100 years of Kheda Satyagraha and Gandhi's journey from Mohandas to Mahatma {{!}} India News|access-date=2018-10-30|language=en-GB}}</ref> in Bihar, Gandhi organised the movement to support peasants who were unable to pay the revenue because of famine and plague epidemic.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJeKBAAAQBAJ&q=Barharwa&pg=PA158|title=Modern India 1886-1947|last=Sarkar|first=Sumit|year=2014|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9789332540859|language=en}}</ref>


== Leaders ==
== Leaders ==
In Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi was chiefly the spiritual head of the struggle. He was assisted by the newly joined Satyagrahi [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel|'''Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel''']] and other local lawyers and advocates namely [[Indulal Yagnik]], [[Shankarlal Banker]], [[Mahadev Desai]], [[Narhari Parikh]], [[Mohanlal Pandya]] and [[Ravi Shankar Vyas]]. They toured the countryside, organised the villagers and gave them political leadership and direction.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJeKBAAAQBAJ&q=Barharwa&pg=PA158|title=Modern India 1886-1947|last=Sarkar|first=Sumit|year=2014|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9789332540859|language=en}}</ref> Many aroused Gujaratis from the cities of [[Ahmedabad]] and [[Vadodara]] joined the organizers of the revolt, but Gandhi and Patel resisted the involvement of Indians from other provinces, seeking to keep it a purely Gujarati struggle.
In Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi was chiefly the spiritual head of the struggle. He was assisted by the newly joined Satyagraha [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]] and other local lawyers and advocates namely [[Indulal Yagnik]], [[Shankarlal Banker]], [[Mahadev Desai]], [[Narhari Parikh]], [[Mohanlal Pandya]] and [[Ravi Shankar Vyas]]. They toured the countryside, organised the villagers and gave them political leadership and direction.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJeKBAAAQBAJ&q=Barharwa&pg=PA158|title=Modern India 1886-1947|last=Sarkar|first=Sumit|year=2014|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9789332540859|language=en}}</ref>


== The struggle ==
== The struggle ==
In 1918, the British authorities had increased the taxes of Kheda region by 23% while it was hit by Chappania famine and others leading to [[cholera]] and [[Plague (disease)|plague]]. Nadiad collector refused any aid from 'Anavari' system of taxes in spite of Sardar Patel and Mahatma's meetings.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kheda Satyagraha|first=Sjt. Shankarlal|last= Parikh of Kathlal}}</ref> Patel and his colleagues organised a major tax revolt, and all the different ethnic and caste communities of (Kheda) rallied around it. The peasants of Kheda signed a petition calling for the tax for this year to be scrapped in wake of the famine. The government in Bombay rejected the charter. They warned that if the peasants did not pay, the lands and property would be confiscated and many arrested.
In 1918, the British authorities had increased the taxes of Kheda region by 23% while it was hit by Chappania famine and others leading to [[cholera]] and [[Plague (disease)|plague]]. Nadiad collector refused any aid from 'Anavari' system of taxes in spite of Sardar Patel and Mahatma's meetings.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kheda Satyagraha|first=Sjt. Shankarlal|last= Parikh of Kathlal}}</ref> Initially started by [[Mohanlal Pandya]] and [[Narhari Parikh]], the movement later gained the support of Gujarat Sabha and National Congress.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chakrabarty |first=Bidyut |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFTqDwAAQBAJ |title=Politics, Ideology and Nationalism: Jinnah, Savarkar and Ambedkar versus Gandhi |date=2020-06-08 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5388-386-7 |pages=51 |language=en}}</ref> Patel and his colleagues organised a major tax revolt, and all the different ethnic and caste communities of (Kheda) rallied around it. The peasants of Kheda signed a petition calling for the tax for this year to be scrapped in wake of the famine. The government in Bombay rejected the charter. They warned that if the peasants did not pay, the lands and property would be confiscated and many are arrested.{{fact|date=August 2024}}


The tax withheld, the government's collectors and inspectors sent in thugs to seize property and cattle, while the police confiscated the lands and all agrarian property. The farmers did not resist arrest, nor retaliate to the force employed with violence. Instead, they used their cash and valuables to donate to the ''Gujarat Sabha'' which was officially organising the protest.
The tax with held, the government's collectors and inspectors sent in thugs to seize property and cattle, while the police confiscated the lands and all agrarian property. The farmers did not resist arrest, nor retaliate to the force employed with violence. Instead, they used their cash and valuables to donate to the ''Gujarat Sabha'' which was officially organising the protest.{{fact|date=August 2024}}


The revolt was astounding in terms of discipline and unity. Even when all their personal property, land and livelihood were seized, a vast majority of Kheda's farmers remained firmly united in the support of Patel. Gujaratis sympathetic to the revolt in other parts resisted the government machinery, and helped to shelter the relatives and property of the protesting peasants. Those Indians who sought to buy the confiscated lands were excluded from society. Although nationalists like [[Sardul Singh Caveeshar]] called for sympathetic revolts in other parts, Gandhi and Patel firmly rejected the idea.
The revolt was astounding in terms of discipline and unity. Even when all their personal property, land and livelihood were seized, a vast majority of Kheda's farmers remained firmly united in the support of Patel. Gujaratis, sympathetic to the revolt in other parts resisted the government machinery, and helped to shelter the relatives and property of the protesting peasants. Those Indians who sought to buy the confiscated lands were excluded from society. Although nationalists like [[Sardul Singh Caveeshar]] called for sympathetic revolts in other parts, Gandhi and Patel firmly rejected the idea.{{fact|date=August 2024}}


== Result ==
== Result ==
The Government finally sought to foster an honourable agreement for both parties. The tax for the year in question, and the next would be suspended, and the increase in rate reduced, while all confiscated property would be returned.
The Government finally sought to foster an honourable agreement for both parties. The tax for the year in question, and the next would be suspended, and the increase in rate reduced. {{fact|date=August 2024}}


People also worked in cohesion to return the confiscated lands to their rightful owners. The ones who had bought the lands seized were influenced to return them, even though the British had officially said it would stand by the buyers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZ0npHsht_MC&q=Kheda+Satyagraha&pg=PA77|title=History And Civics|last=Basu|first=Vipu; Singh, Jasmine Dhillon, Gita Shanmugavel, Sucharita|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9788131763186|language=en}}</ref>
People also worked in cohesion to return the confiscated lands to their rightful owners. The ones who had bought the lands seized were influenced to return them, even though the British had officially said it would stand by the buyers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZ0npHsht_MC&q=Kheda+Satyagraha&pg=PA77|title=History And Civics|last=Basu|first=Vipu; Singh, Jasmine Dhillon, Gita Shanmugavel, Sucharita|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9788131763186|language=en}}</ref>
Line 91: Line 89:
*''Peasant Nationalists of Gujarat : Kheda District, 1917-1934'' by David Hardiman
*''Peasant Nationalists of Gujarat : Kheda District, 1917-1934'' by David Hardiman
*''Patel: A Life'' by [[Rajmohan Gandhi]]
*''Patel: A Life'' by [[Rajmohan Gandhi]]
* See [[wikilivres:Day to Day with Gandhi/Volume 1|Day to Day with Gandhi (volume 1)]], some original documents about the Kheda Satyagraha.
* See [https://archive.today/20200105002217/https://wikilivres.org/wiki/Day_to_Day_with_Gandhi/Volume_1 Day to Day with Gandhi (volume 1)], some original documents about the Kheda Satyagraha.
* [http://www.gandhiheritageportal.org/fundamental_workdetail/NDQtMzg=#page/1/mode/2up Satyagraha in Champaran]
* [http://www.gandhiheritageportal.org/fundamental_workdetail/NDQtMzg=#page/1/mode/2up Satyagraha in Champaran]
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}

Latest revision as of 10:21, 8 January 2026


Kheda Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi in 1918, when he led the Kheda Satyagraha
English nameKhaira movement
Date22 March — 5 June 1918
LocationKheda district, Gujarat, India
Organised bySardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya and Ravi Shankar Vyas

The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was a satyagraha movement in the Kheda district of Gujarat in India organised by Mahatma Gandhi during the period of the British Raj. It was a major revolt in the Indian independence movement. It was the second Satyagraha movement, which was launched 7 days after the Ahmedabad mill strike. After the successful Satyagraha conducted at Champaran[1] in Bihar, Gandhi organised the movement to support peasants who were unable to pay the revenue because of famine and plague epidemic.[2]

Leaders[edit | edit source]

In Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi was chiefly the spiritual head of the struggle. He was assisted by the newly joined Satyagraha Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other local lawyers and advocates namely Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya and Ravi Shankar Vyas. They toured the countryside, organised the villagers and gave them political leadership and direction.[3]

The struggle[edit | edit source]

In 1918, the British authorities had increased the taxes of Kheda region by 23% while it was hit by Chappania famine and others leading to cholera and plague. Nadiad collector refused any aid from 'Anavari' system of taxes in spite of Sardar Patel and Mahatma's meetings.[4] Initially started by Mohanlal Pandya and Narhari Parikh, the movement later gained the support of Gujarat Sabha and National Congress.[5] Patel and his colleagues organised a major tax revolt, and all the different ethnic and caste communities of (Kheda) rallied around it. The peasants of Kheda signed a petition calling for the tax for this year to be scrapped in wake of the famine. The government in Bombay rejected the charter. They warned that if the peasants did not pay, the lands and property would be confiscated and many are arrested.[citation needed]

The tax with held, the government's collectors and inspectors sent in thugs to seize property and cattle, while the police confiscated the lands and all agrarian property. The farmers did not resist arrest, nor retaliate to the force employed with violence. Instead, they used their cash and valuables to donate to the Gujarat Sabha which was officially organising the protest.[citation needed]

The revolt was astounding in terms of discipline and unity. Even when all their personal property, land and livelihood were seized, a vast majority of Kheda's farmers remained firmly united in the support of Patel. Gujaratis, sympathetic to the revolt in other parts resisted the government machinery, and helped to shelter the relatives and property of the protesting peasants. Those Indians who sought to buy the confiscated lands were excluded from society. Although nationalists like Sardul Singh Caveeshar called for sympathetic revolts in other parts, Gandhi and Patel firmly rejected the idea.[citation needed]

Result[edit | edit source]

The Government finally sought to foster an honourable agreement for both parties. The tax for the year in question, and the next would be suspended, and the increase in rate reduced. [citation needed]

People also worked in cohesion to return the confiscated lands to their rightful owners. The ones who had bought the lands seized were influenced to return them, even though the British had officially said it would stand by the buyers.[6]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "100 years of Kheda Satyagraha and Gandhi's journey from Mohandas to Mahatma | India News". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  2. Sarkar, Sumit (2014). Modern India 1886-1947. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9789332540859.
  3. Sarkar, Sumit (2014). Modern India 1886-1947. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9789332540859.
  4. Parikh of Kathlal, Sjt. Shankarlal. Kheda Satyagraha.
  5. Chakrabarty, Bidyut (8 June 2020). Politics, Ideology and Nationalism: Jinnah, Savarkar and Ambedkar versus Gandhi. SAGE Publishing India. p. 51. ISBN 978-93-5388-386-7.
  6. Basu, Vipu; Singh, Jasmine Dhillon, Gita Shanmugavel, Sucharita. History And Civics. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9788131763186.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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