# The Kheda Satyagraha explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

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

## What happens

Immediately after the Ahmedabad mill-hands' strike, Gandhi becomes involved in the Kheda Satyagraha, a struggle by Patidar farmers against revenue collection during a near-famine. Despite petitions and deputations, the government refuses to suspend assessment. Gandhi advises the cultivators to resort to satyagraha, leading to a pledge of nonpayment and forfeiture of lands rather than compromising self-respect.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonviolence and Satyagraha

Gandhi advises the Patidars to resort to satyagraha—nonviolent resistance—by refusing to pay revenue and accepting legal consequences.

### Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism

The struggle challenges the colonial government's unjust revenue policy during a famine, advocating for the poor and asserting self-respect.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

President of the Gujarat Sabha; advises the Patidars to resort to satyagraha after petitions fail.

### Vallabhbhai Patel

Principal comrade in the struggle; suspends his legal practice to join.

### Shankarlal Banker

Principal comrade in the Kheda Satyagraha.

### Anasuyabehn

Principal comrade in the struggle.

### Mahadev Desai

Principal comrade in the Kheda Satyagraha.

## Key lines

> Hardly was the Ahmedabad mill-hands’ strike over, when I had to plunge into the Kheda Satyagraha struggle.

No sooner had the Ahmedabad mill strike ended than I became deeply involved in the Kheda Satyagraha.

_Gandhi transitions directly from one major struggle to another._

> We shall rather let our lands be forfeited than that by voluntary payment we should allow our case to be considered false or should compromise our self-respect.

We will allow our lands to be taken rather than pay voluntarily and thereby admit our claim is false or lose our self-respect.

_The satyagrahis' pledge emphasizes self-respect over material loss._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxiii-the-kheda-satyagraha
- 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