Kheda Satyagraha

The Kheda Satyagraha (1918) was a major peasant movement in India’s freedom struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and other nationalist leaders in the Kheda district of Gujarat. It was the first non-violent peasant uprising based on the principles of Satyagraha (truth and non-violent resistance), launched to demand the suspension of land revenue collection during a devastating famine. The movement marked a crucial step in Gandhi’s leadership and laid the foundation for organised rural resistance against colonial economic exploitation.

Background and Causes

The Kheda district, located in central Gujarat, was primarily an agricultural region dependent on monsoon rains. In 1917–18, the area suffered from severe drought and crop failure due to poor rainfall. The famine drastically reduced agricultural output, leaving peasants unable to pay land revenue and taxes imposed by the British colonial administration.
Despite the widespread hardship, the Bombay Presidency Government, under British rule, refused to waive or suspend land revenue for the year. According to the revenue code, taxes were to be remitted if the crop yield fell below one-fourth of the normal level. The peasants’ demand for relief was therefore legally justified, but the authorities ignored their pleas.
This callous attitude of the colonial government provoked widespread resentment among the farmers, setting the stage for organised resistance under Gandhi’s guidance.

Main Causes of the Agitation

1. Severe Crop Failure:
   • The monsoon of 1917 had failed, leading to drought and crop loss across Kheda.
2. Unjust Revenue Demands:
   • The government insisted on full revenue payment despite the famine conditions.
3. Violation of Revenue Code:
   • According to British regulations, land revenue should have been suspended when crops failed; however, the rule was ignored.
4. Peasant Hardship:
   • Widespread poverty, debt, and food scarcity forced peasants into destitution.
5. Moral and Legal Justification:
   • Peasants demanded justice within the framework of existing laws, reflecting a sense of lawful resistance rather than rebellion.

Leadership and Organisation

The Kheda Satyagraha was organised under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who had recently led the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) in Bihar. His success there inspired peasants in Gujarat to seek his assistance.
Other prominent leaders included:

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – played a crucial organisational role, mobilising peasants from village to village.
• Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, and Mahadev Desai – provided leadership and coordination.
• Anasuya Sarabhai and Shri Kaka Kalelkar – extended support through social and relief activities.

The Gujarat Sabha, a regional political association affiliated with the Indian National Congress, played a key role in coordinating efforts and providing a communication network between peasants and leaders.

Demands of the Peasants

The core demands of the Kheda Satyagraha were:

1. Suspension of Land Revenue Collection for the year 1918 due to famine and crop failure.
2. Remission of Taxes already paid by some farmers, as the agricultural output had been negligible.
3. Recognition of Crop Failure by the government and the enforcement of the existing revenue code.
4. Non-Punitive Measures against peasants who were unable to pay taxes.

Course of the Movement

• The movement formally began in March 1918, with Gandhi advising peasants to withhold payment of land revenue until their demands were met.
• The Satyagraha followed strict non-violent methods—no physical confrontation or violence was permitted.
• Peasants were instructed to remain united, resist pressure from authorities, and refuse to surrender property even under threat of confiscation.
• The British authorities responded with repression—seizing land, cattle, and property of defaulters, and imposing fines.
• Despite intimidation, the peasants stood firm, showing remarkable discipline and unity.
• The movement received nationwide attention and moral support from various parts of India, including contributions for relief and legal aid.

Role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel emerged as a leading figure during the Kheda Satyagraha. He travelled extensively through villages, organising meetings, motivating farmers, and maintaining discipline among participants. Patel’s leadership earned him the title of the “Iron Man of India”, symbolising courage and determination.
He later acknowledged the influence of Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence, and collective action, which guided his political career.

Resolution and Outcome

After months of sustained resistance and negotiation, the British government finally relented. In June 1918, an agreement was reached with the following outcomes:

1. Suspension of Revenue Collection:
   • Revenue assessment for the year was suspended in the worst-affected areas.
2. Remission for Poor Farmers:
   • Peasants unable to pay were granted remission without penalty.
3. Restoration of Confiscated Property:
   • Lands and cattle seized during the agitation were returned.
4. Recognition of Legitimacy:
   • The government implicitly recognised the validity of the peasants’ grievances.

Although the demands were only partially met, the Satyagraha was considered a moral and political victory for the Indian national movement. It demonstrated the power of organised, peaceful protest in compelling colonial authorities to negotiate.

Significance of the Kheda Satyagraha

The Kheda Satyagraha occupies a distinguished place in India’s freedom struggle due to its political, social, and moral impact:

1. Consolidation of Non-Violent Resistance:
   • It reaffirmed the effectiveness of Gandhi’s Satyagraha as a method of struggle.
2. Rise of Sardar Patel:
   • The movement brought Vallabhbhai Patel into the national spotlight, marking his emergence as a key nationalist leader.
3. Peasant Empowerment:
   • It united farmers across caste and community lines, instilling confidence in rural masses that they could fight for their rights.
4. Moral Legitimacy:
   • The movement’s disciplined non-violence won public sympathy and exposed the moral bankruptcy of British policies.
5. Strengthening of Congress:
   • The Indian National Congress gained credibility among peasants, transforming from an elite urban movement into a mass-based organisation.
6. Foundation for Future Movements:
   • The strategies and lessons of Kheda influenced later movements such as the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930).

Challenges Faced

• The movement was largely confined to the Kheda district and did not spread widely across India.
• British authorities used coercive tactics, including property seizure and arrests.
• Maintaining unity and non-violence under stress was difficult, but the leadership ensured discipline.

Despite these challenges, the movement’s spirit of collective non-violent defiance remained intact.

Legacy

The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was the second major Satyagraha led by Gandhi in India, after Champaran, and marked the beginning of peasant-based civil resistance in the freedom movement.
It showcased Gandhi’s unique ability to combine moral appeal with practical politics and demonstrated the growing strength of non-violent protest as an instrument of change. The movement also deepened the bond between Gandhi and the people of Gujarat, earning him widespread affection and trust.