Gandhiji's appeal among the poor, and peasants in particular, was enhanced by his ascetic lifestyle, and by his shrewd use of symbols such as the dhoti and the charkha. Mahatma Gandhi was by caste a merchant, and by profession a lawyer; but his simple lifestyle and love of working with his hands allowed him to empathise more fully with the labouring poor and for them, in turn, to empathise with him.
The lines that opened this passage have been left out. They state what Gandhiji appeared to the Indian peasant as a saviour who would rescue them from. What was it?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → High taxes and oppressive officials
Option (1) Famine and the harsh rule of the princes — Incorrect. Famine and princely rule are other burdens of rural India; the peasants' hope in Gandhiji was tied to taxes and officials.
Option (2) Begar and the cruel rule of the planters — Incorrect. Begar and planters belong to other peasant struggles of the time; the hope described here is relief from taxes and officials.
Option (3) High taxes and oppressive officials — Correct. Peasants saw Gandhiji as a <strong>saviour</strong> who would free them from <strong>high taxes and oppressive officials</strong> and give back dignity and autonomy to their lives.
Option (4) Caste rules and the power of the priests — Incorrect. Gandhiji did take up untouchability after 1924, but the saviour image among peasants rested on relief from taxes and officials.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.2 A people’s leader … |