An old villager in eastern Uttar Pradesh tells his grandson about the year Gandhiji toured the district by train. He remembers how the people at his station collected money to offer him, and what happened to that money. He also recalls the stories that ran from village to village in the months that followed, about who had sent Gandhiji to them and how far his power was believed to reach.
Which of the following claims about Gandhiji was spread in some places, according to the rumours of that time?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → He had been sent by the King to redress the grievances of the farmers, and could overrule all local officials
Option (1) He had been sent by the Viceroy to redress the grievances of the farmers, and could overrule all local officials — Incorrect. The rumour gave this role to the <strong>King</strong>; the Viceroy has no place in it.
Option (2) He had been sent by the King to redress the grievances of the farmers, and could overrule all local officials — Correct. Peasants believed Gandhiji had been <strong>sent by the King to redress the grievances of the farmers</strong>, with power over all local officials.
Option (3) He had been sent by the King to redress the grievances of the farmers, and could overrule all indigo planters — Incorrect. The rumour gave Gandhiji the power to overrule all local officials; the indigo planters belong to the Champaran complaint of 1916.
Option (4) He had been sent by the Viceroy to redress the grievances of the farmers, and could overrule all indigo planters — Incorrect. Both halves fail. The rumour had the King sending him, and his power reached over all local officials; the indigo planters belong to the Champaran complaint of 1916.
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