NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 5 Indigo
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 5 Indigo
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 5 Indigo
This worksheet provides NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Indigo from the Flamingo textbook. This chapter describes an important historical event when Mahatma Gandhi helped the oppressed indigo farmers of Champaran fight against injustice through peaceful resistance.
This worksheet explains how Gandhi investigated the problems faced by peasants who were forced by British landlords to grow indigo on their land. It highlights how courage, truth, and non-violence helped bring justice to the farmers. The chapter is important for students because it introduces them to the concept of civil disobedience and demonstrates how ordinary people can stand against injustice with unity and determination.
This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions that help students understand the events of the Champaran movement, the role of Mahatma Gandhi, and the importance of moral leadership in India’s freedom struggle.
Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes
This NCERT Chapter Indigo presents a factual narrative about Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts to help the indigo farmers of Champaran. The chapter shows how the peasants were exploited by British landlords and forced to grow indigo on their land under unfair conditions.
Students learn how Rajkumar Shukla, a determined peasant, persuaded Gandhi to visit Champaran and investigate the situation. Gandhi carefully gathered facts, encouraged people to speak the truth, and used peaceful methods to challenge injustice.
The chapter focuses on themes such as justice, leadership, courage, and the power of non-violent resistance. It also highlights the role played by ordinary farmers in exposing injustice and supporting the freedom movement.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
• Understanding a historical episode from India’s freedom movement
• Reading and analysing factual writing
• Learning how peaceful resistance can challenge injustice
• Understanding leadership qualities and social responsibility
• Vocabulary development through legal and contextual words
• Learning punctuation and language usage in context
• Developing awareness of social problems through activities
How to use these NCERT solutions?
Students should first read the chapter Indigo carefully and try to answer the questions on their own before checking the solutions. This helps develop independent thinking and better understanding of the story.
Parents and teachers can use these NCERT Solutions to guide students while studying the chapter and to clarify difficult concepts related to the Champaran movement.
The answers in this worksheet follow the exact order and structure of the NCERT questions. This makes it easier for students to revise the chapter, understand the important points, and prepare confidently for school assessments and exams.
Student tips & learning tricks
• Read the chapter carefully to understand the sequence of events in the Champaran episode.
• Pay attention to the role played by Rajkumar Shukla and the peasants.
• Remember the key idea of satyagraha and peaceful resistance.
• Focus on how Gandhi gathered facts before taking action.
• When answering questions, explain the events clearly and logically.
• Revise important terms related to legal procedures mentioned in the chapter.
Why NCERT solutions are important?
NCERT Solutions help students understand the chapter in a clear and structured way. Since school exams and board assessments are based on NCERT textbooks, learning from NCERT-aligned answers ensures accuracy and relevance.
These solutions strengthen students’ conceptual understanding of historical events and improve their reading comprehension skills. They also help students build confidence while preparing for tests, assignments, and class discussions.
Complete answer key – NCERT solutions
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context
Urge the departure
Strongly demand or insist that someone should leave.
Harbour a man like me
To give shelter or support to someone considered controversial or unwanted by authorities.
Conflict of duties
A situation where a person must choose between two responsibilities that oppose each other.
Seek a prop
To look for outside support or help instead of relying on one’s own strength.
Think as you read (Page 46)
1 a) (i) a sharecropper
b) (iii) illiterate
Think as you read (Page 48)
1 Gandhi visited several places before reaching Champaran:
Lucknow (Congress session)
Kanpur
Ahmedabad (his ashram)
Calcutta
Patna
Muzaffarpur
Motihari in Champaran
These visits helped him gather information about the peasants' problems.
2 The peasants were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land and give the crop to the British landlords as rent. Later, when synthetic indigo was developed in Germany, the landlords demanded compensation from the peasants to release them from the contract.
Synthetic indigo reduced the demand for natural indigo, which meant natural indigo would lose its value and price in the market.
3 Rajkumar Shukla is called resolute because he showed great determination in convincing Gandhi to visit Champaran. He followed Gandhi everywhere—from Lucknow to Kanpur, Ahmedabad, and finally Calcutta—until Gandhi agreed to help the indigo farmers.
4 The servants judged Gandhi by his simple appearance and the company of Rajkumar Shukla, who was a poor peasant. Gandhi dressed simply and behaved humbly, so they assumed he was just another ordinary farmer.
Think as you read (Page 50)
1 Examples of Gandhi’s methods include:
Collecting facts first before taking action.
Peacefully disobeying unjust laws, such as refusing to leave Champaran.
Respecting authorities while opposing injustice.
Encouraging lawyers and peasants to act courageously without violence.
These actions reflect satyagraha (truth and moral force) and non-violent resistance.
Think as you read (Page 52)
1 Gandhi accepted a 25% refund because the amount was less important than the principle of justice. The landlords agreeing to return money meant they had admitted their wrongdoing, which boosted the peasants’ confidence and dignity.
2 The Champaran episode gave the peasants courage and awareness of their rights. They realized they were not powerless and that injustice could be challenged. Eventually, the British planters left and indigo farming ended.
Understanding the text
1 The Champaran episode was a turning point because it was the first successful use of civil disobedience in India. It proved that ordinary Indians could challenge British authority through peaceful resistance. It also strengthened Gandhi’s leadership and inspired people to join the freedom movement.
2 Gandhi influenced lawyers by appealing to their moral responsibility toward the peasants.
For example:
When the lawyers said they would leave if Gandhi was jailed, Gandhi questioned their commitment to justice.
This made them realize their duty, and they decided to stay and even go to jail if necessary.
3 People in smaller towns were afraid to support leaders openly because they feared British authority. They hesitated to show sympathy for those demanding self-rule.
4 Ordinary people also contributed to the freedom movement in Champaran. Many peasants came forward to give evidence about the injustice done by the British indigo planters when Mahatma Gandhi investigated the matter. Their courage and support helped expose the truth and strengthen the struggle for justice.
Talking about the text
1 Even today many poor people fear authority, poverty, and social injustice. Although India is independent, inequality and lack of awareness still prevent complete freedom from fear. Education and social reforms are necessary to remove this fear. (Answer may vary)
2 A good leader should possess:
Courage and determination
Honesty and integrity
Ability to inspire others
Compassion for people
Commitment to justice and truth
Gandhi showed all these qualities.
(Answer may vary)
Working with words
1 Words related to legal procedures in the text
deposition
summons
trial
court
magistrate
bail
inquiry
evidence
commission
2 Other legal words
verdict
judge
prosecution
defendant
affidavit
testimony
Thinking about language
1 The author uses quotations to show direct speech. This makes the narration more authentic and engaging because readers hear the exact words spoken by characters like Gandhi and Rajendra Prasad.
2 Use of comma
a) When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, he told me what happened in Champaran.
The comma separates the introductory clause from the main clause.
b) He had not proceeded far when the police superintendent’s messenger overtook him.
No comma is needed because the subordinate clause comes after the main clause.
c) When the court reconvened, the judge said he would not deliver the judgment for several days.
The comma separates the introductory clause.
Things to do
1 Students should research a real-life issue affecting poor people and present facts and solutions.
Example: Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Facts
Happened in 1984 in Bhopal.
Toxic gas leaked from a pesticide factory.
Thousands of people died and many suffered health problems.
Arguments
The company failed to maintain safety measures.
Victims were not properly compensated.
Possible settlement
Strict industrial safety laws
Proper compensation and rehabilitation
Medical support for victims
This is a student-generated activity and answers may vary.
Get clear and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Indigo to improve comprehension and prepare confidently for exams.