Which of the following historian has talked about role of rumours in the making of Mahatma Gandhi?
1. Shahid Amin
2. Bipan Chandra
3. Gyanendra Pandey
4. Sarvepalli Gopal

1

In a fascinating study, the historian Shahid Amin has traced the image of Mahatma Gandhi among the peasants of eastern Uttar Pradesh, as conveyed by reports and rumours in the local press. When he travelled through the region in February 1921, Gandhiji was received by adoring crowds everywhere.

There were rumours that those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi invariably met with some tragedy.
1. A gentleman from Gorakhpur city questioned the need to ply the charkha. His house caught fire.
2. In April 1921 some people were gambling in a village of Uttar Pradesh. Someone told them to stop. Only one from amongst the group refused to stop and abused Gandhiji. The next day his goat was bitten by four of his own dogs.
3. In a village in Gorakhpur, the peasants resolved to give up drinking liquor. One person did not keep his promise. As soon as he started for the liquor shop brickbats started to rain in his path. When he spoke the name of Gandhiji the brick- bats stopped flying.
FROM SHAHID AMIN , “GANDHI AS MAHATMA”, SUBALTERN STUDIES III, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, DELHI.