# Face to Face with Ahimsa explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi arrives in Champaran to investigate the grievances of indigo farmers. Despite opposition from planters and the Commissioner, he refuses to leave and is served a notice to depart. He disobeys and is summoned to trial. The local peasants rally around him, and Gandhi's civil resistance and faith in ahimsa lead to a shift in authority, with officials cooperating rather than confronting him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonviolence and Satyagraha

Gandhi's civil resistance to the order to leave Champaran exemplifies satyagraha, as he disobeys legally but maintains correct conduct toward officials.

### Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism

The chapter focuses on Gandhi's inquiry into the exploitation of Champaran peasants by indigo planters, challenging colonial authority.

### Truth and Self-Experimentation

Gandhi describes his meeting with the peasants as being 'face to face with God, Ahimsa and Truth,' rooted in his love for the people and faith in ahimsa.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Leads the inquiry into Champaran agriculturists' grievances, disobeys order to leave, and faces trial.

### Rajkumar Shukla

Local peasant who brought Gandhi to Champaran; his place is near Bettiah.

### Brajkishore Prasad

Coworker who receives instructions from Gandhi during the night before the trial.

### Babu Dharanidhar Prasad

Accompanies Gandhi to visit an ill-treated tenant; continues on when Gandhi is intercepted.

### Babu Gorakh Prasad

Harbors Gandhi and coworkers in his home in Motihari.

## Key lines

> It is no exaggeration, but the literal truth, to say that in this meeting with the peasants I was face to face with God, Ahimsa and Truth.

Gandhi felt a profound spiritual connection with the peasants, experiencing the essence of nonviolence and truth through their encounter.

_Highlights the transformative impact of the Champaran meeting on Gandhi's understanding of ahimsa._

> According to the law, I was to be on my trial, but truly speaking Government was to be on its trial.

Though legally Gandhi was the defendant, the real test was of the government's authority and justice.

_Reflects Gandhi's view that civil resistance puts the legitimacy of the state on trial._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xiv-face-to-face-with-ahimsa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters