question_answer

Answer any one of the following in 100-125 words:

Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence?

Or

What was the General s plan to get rid of the American prisoner? Was it executed? What traits of the General's character are highlighted in the lesson 'The Enemy'?

 

Answer:

The episode of Champaran was considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence because, for the first time, the farmers and peasants rose against the Britishers. The peasants were oppressed by their British landlords, but they lacked the courage to protest. Under the leadership of Gandhiji, they became aware of their rights. A small farmer, Rajkumar Shukia, from a small district, Champaran, helped to bring about a very prominent change. He championed the cause of Champaran movement. Likewise, many other peasants from the villages fought courageously and contributed in their own way to the movement. Their combined effort eventually helped them to win the battle of Champaran and to finally free themselves from ?Share Cropping? arrangement. The success also proved, for the first time, the effectiveness of Gandhiji method of non-violence and non-cooperation. Gandhiji exulted over them and made the villagers feel self-dependent and undaunted.

Or

The General planned to kill the American prisoner by sending his personal assassins and then removing his body from Sadao?s house. The plan was not executed because the General forgot his promise to send the assassins. The old General had a long expressionless face, which seemed to reflect the cold and calculated ruthlessness of the man as a general. He had an unusual sense of humour and seemed to generate fear in the hearts of others quite effortlessly. In his interaction with Sadao, he came across as a man who puts his self-interest above everything else. As sadao was the only person whom he trusted with his operation, he lets sadao off the hook. His cold and calculating streak was manifested in the meticulousness with which he latched out the plan of executing the American prisoner of war whom Sadao had given refuge.