Kheda Satyagraha of 1918: A Landmark in India’s Freedom Struggle

The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was one of the earliest and most significant non-violent movements in India’s freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Held in the Kheda district of Gujarat, this movement stands out for its organized civil disobedience and peasant-centric protest. It highlighted the oppressive tax system of British India and marked Gandhi's increasing role in national politics.

This article explores the causes, events, leadership, outcomes, and legacy of the Kheda Satyagraha, reflecting on its pivotal role in the Indian independence movement.

 

Kheda Satyagraha of 1918

Historical Background of Kheda Satyagraha

Colonial Taxation in British India

During British colonial rule, the land revenue system was a primary source of income for the British administration. Under this system, peasants were expected to pay taxes regardless of crop failures or natural calamities. The land revenue policies were exploitative and rigid, leaving no room for mercy, even in times of distress.

Situation in Kheda District

In 1918, Kheda district (then part of the Bombay Presidency) faced a severe famine due to crop failure caused by inadequate rainfall. According to government rules, when crop yields fell below 25% of the normal output, revenue collection was supposed to be suspended. However, despite poor harvests and famine conditions, the British government refused to relax or suspend land revenue demands.

Farmers were unable to meet the tax obligations and requested the government for exemption or postponement, but their pleas were ignored. This apathy of the colonial regime laid the groundwork for the Kheda Satyagraha.

 

Causes of the Kheda Satyagraha

1. Famine and Crop Failure: The most direct cause was the disastrous crop failure in 1917-18 due to drought. The harvest was well below subsistence levels.
2. Rigid Revenue Collection: The British insistence on full land tax collection despite famine was seen as cruel and unjust by the local population.
3. Absence of Government Relief: No significant relief measures were provided to the suffering peasants, even when their inability to pay taxes was evident.
4. Rise of Gandhian Philosophy: The growing influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) motivated the people of Kheda to take a stand.
5. Discontent Among Peasantry: Years of oppression, indebtedness, and exploitation had created a fertile ground for revolt among peasants.

 

Leadership and Organization

Role of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi had recently led the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) in Bihar and had successfully supported indigo farmers against exploitation. The success of that campaign inspired Gandhi to take up the Kheda cause.

Gandhi believed that the peasants had a moral right to resist unjust laws, and Kheda was the perfect ground to apply his principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa).

Key Leaders Involved

Besides Mahatma Gandhi, several prominent leaders contributed to organizing and leading the Satyagraha:

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Played a crucial role in mobilizing peasants and organizing the movement at the grassroots level.
• Indulal Yagnik – Provided legal and ideological support.
• Shankarlal Banker, Mahadev Desai, and Narhari Parikh – Aided in communication, logistics, and spreading awareness.

 

The Course of the Satyagraha

Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience

The core strategy was to refuse payment of land tax, and peacefully resist any attempt at confiscation of property or arrest. Gandhi encouraged villagers to stand firm and assured them legal and moral support.

Volunteer Organization

Volunteers were organized to:

• Educate the villagers about their rights.
• Spread Gandhi's message of peaceful resistance.
• Maintain non-violence even in the face of arrests or confiscation.

Government Repression

• The colonial government seized movable property like cattle and household items.
• Arrests and harassment of villagers and leaders were common.
• Legal pressure and threats were employed to break the movement.

Response from the People

Despite severe oppression, the peasants stood united, refusing to pay taxes or give in to fear. This was a major show of strength, as it was among the first peasant movements driven by mass civil disobedience.

 

Outcomes and Impact

Partial Concessions by the British

Though the British did not publicly concede defeat, behind the scenes they:

• Agreed to suspend the tax for the poorest peasants.
• Returned some confiscated property.
• Stopped further collection in some areas.

This was seen as a moral victory for the peasants and Gandhi’s method of Satyagraha.

Rise of New Leaders

The Kheda Satyagraha brought Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel into the limelight. His leadership and ability to organize the masses earned him national recognition.

Strengthening of Satyagraha

Kheda became the testing ground for Gandhi's non-violent philosophy. The success of this campaign gave Gandhi the confidence to lead future national movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930).

 

Significance of Kheda Satyagraha

Peasant Empowerment

For the first time, rural India saw itself as a political force. The campaign instilled self-confidence and collective unity among poor peasants.

Moral High Ground

By maintaining strict non-violence and ethical resistance, Gandhi and the peasants occupied a moral high ground, making the British appear as oppressive in the public eye.

Nationalist Momentum

The Kheda Satyagraha was a bridge between local struggles and the national freedom movement, connecting rural discontent to the larger political narrative.

 

Legacy of the Kheda Satyagraha

Blueprint for Future Movements

Kheda showed how non-violent resistance could succeed against an empire. It set a template for Satyagraha campaigns across the country.

Foundation for Unity

It helped create a sense of unity across caste and class divisions, as poor and marginalized peasants stood together in defiance.

Role in Indian National Movement

The Satyagraha brought national attention to the plight of Indian farmers and paved the way for mass political mobilization. It became an example cited repeatedly in Gandhi’s later campaigns.

 

Conclusion

The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 is more than just a local protest—it is a milestone in India’s struggle for independence. It demonstrated the power of collective action, the strength of moral resistance, and the effectiveness of non-violent protest.

Led by Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, it proved that even the most oppressed could challenge authority with courage, unity, and truth. Its legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and equity across the world.

 

FAQs

Q. Who led the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918?

A. The movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, with strong support from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other local leaders.

Q. What was the main reason behind the Kheda Satyagraha?

A. The unjust collection of land tax during famine in Kheda district was the primary cause.

Q. What was the outcome of the Kheda Satyagraha?

A. While not a complete victory, the British suspended taxes for poor farmers and returned some seized property, marking it as a partial success and moral triumph.