2018-12-27 Thu

On 18th December 2018, India Post released a commemorative postage stamp to honour the noted freedom fighter, Rajkumar Shukla. Rajkumar was responsible for leading the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 which shook the British Government.

Born on 23rd August 1875 in Satwaria village of Champaran in Bihar, Raj Kumar Shukla was a famous indigo cultivator and a rich money lender as well. He was deeply affected by the ruthless policies and heavy taxation imposed by the British Government. He was closely associated with Gandhiji during Champaran Satyagraha. Shukla even managed to convince Mahatma Gandhi to visit Champaran, which added fuel and enthusiasm to the Indian freedom struggle.

Gandhiji investigated the matter in April 1917 and learned that cultivators were forced to grow indigo by British planters and estate owners. Surveys were conducted and cultivators gave their statements along with their signatures and thumb impressions. The British Government set up an inquiry committee with Gandhiji onboard. Lawyers like Babu Rajendra Prasad, Dharnidhar Prasad, Gorakh Prasad, Ramnawami Prasad, Sambhusaran and Anugraha Narain Sinha helped the cultivators fight the case. All recommendations were accepted and the Tinkathia system was abolished. British planters tried to revolt but Bihar & Orissa Legislative Council finally passed the Champaran Agrarian Act on 4th March 1918, which proved to be a major victory for volunteers of Champaran Satyagraha.

The Department of Posts had released a postage stamp to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla in 2000. A total of 43 postage stamps honouring life and works of important personalities have already been released this year by India Post.

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