It was from the Hazarimal Dharamshala in Bettiah, West Champaran that Mahatma Gandhi initiated his Satyagraha movement after his return from South Africa. In 1917 Gandhi came to Champaran and started the Champaran Satyagraha Movement to end the oppressive regime of British indigo planters. These planters were forcing the farmers to grow indigo and other cash crops instead of food crops, as a result of which the farmers were finding it difficult to survive – they lived in abject poverty and at the mercy of the European planters. It was at the Hazarimal Dharamshala in Lal Bazar area of Bettiah that Gandhi would congregate with his companions. Gandhi also frequented the Bettiah Raj Kutcherry. The movement made such an impact that the British authorities were forced to constitute an inquiry into the atrocities being faced by the indigo farmers. The Champaran Agrarian Act that was passed in 1918 and brought an end to the oppression that the farmers were facing. The place is also associated with the names of other luminaries from the freedom struggle including Sarojini Naidu, Acharya Kriplani and Dr Rajendra Prasad. Sadly, though Hazarimal Dharamshala has been declared as a protected monument by the state government a large section of the building is demolished and replaced by a shopping complex.
Bhitiharwa Ashram: It was in the Bhitiharwa village in West Champaran that Gandhi set up an ashram with his wife Kasturba. They started a school for children of the indigo farmers. After decades of neglect by successive state government, today the Bhitiharwa Ashram has been rebuilt thanks to local efforts along with help from Gujarat Vidyapith and Sabarmati Ashram. It houses many Gandhi memorabilia including a wooden table used by the Mahatma while he was staying here. The school that was established by Kasturba is still being run at the ashram, but with a lot of difficulties. Also present is a Khadi Centre that is run by the Bihar Khadi Samiti.
The other places included in the Gandhi Circuit in Bihar are:
- Motihari (East Champaran): Motihari goes down in the annals of India’s history as the first laboratory of Gandhian experiment.
- Brindaba (West Champaran): The all india Gandhi Seva Sangh used held their annual conference here in 1937 which was attended by Gandhi and Dr Prasad.
- Shri Rampur (West Champaran): Gandhi stayed here on November 16, 1917.
- Koeldih (West Champaran): Gandhi visited here during the Chamaparn Movement in 1917.
- Amolwa (West Champaran): A place where Gandhi spent a night with his companions on April 27, 1917.
- Murli Bharhawa (West Champaran): The native place of Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla who was majorly responsible for bringing Gandhi to Champaran.
- Sariswa (West Champaran): This is where Gandhi had taken statements from the farmers.
How to reach there
By Air: Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport at Patna is the nearest airport to reach West Champaran
By Rail: West Champaran has good rail connectivity, including many daily trains to different parts of the country including Delhi and Mumbai
By Road: The district headquarters Bettiah is 210 km from Patna by road. West Champaran is well connected by buses. Bihar State Road Transport Corporation runs many buses to the area
Where to stay
Hotel Amrapali in Bettiah and Hotel Pushpanjali in Bettiah.
