Raj Kumar Shukla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raj Kumar shukla
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Shukla on a 2000 stamp of India
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| Born | 23 August 1875 Murli Bharahwa, Champaran, Bihar |
| Died | 20 May 1929 (aged 53) Motihari, Bihar |
| Occupation | Freedom fighter, Farmer |
| Language | Bhojpuri, Maithili,Hindi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Period | 1890s – 1920s |
| Children | 2 daughters |
Raj Kumar Shukla (born August 23, 1875 – died May 20, 1929) was an important person in India's fight for freedom. He was a farmer who convinced Mahatma Gandhi to visit a place called Champaran. This visit later led to a big peaceful protest known as the Champaran Satyagraha. Shukla worked for someone named Hafiz Din Mohammad at the time. He was sent to meet Gandhi to talk about the problems faced by farmers.
Contents
Early Life of Raj Kumar Shukla
Raj Kumar Shukla was born in 1875. He came from a Bhatt (Brahmin) family. His village was Satwaria, located near Narkatiaganj in West Champaran.
Raj Kumar Shukla's Role in History
Meeting Gandhi for Champaran
In 1916, a big meeting of the Congress party happened in Lucknow. At this meeting, Gandhiji met Raj Kumar Shukla. Shukla was there to represent the farmers from Champaran. He asked Gandhi to come and see the terrible problems faced by the indigo farmers. These farmers were called ryots.
Gandhi later wrote that he didn't even know where Champaran was at that time. He also knew very little about indigo farms. Shukla's goal was to tell Gandhi about the difficult lives of the farmers in Champaran. He worked hard to convince Gandhi to visit the area.
A Voice for Farmers
Raj Kumar Shukla was a well-known indigo farmer in his area. He also lent money to people in his village, Murli Bharahwa. This village was near Narkatiyaganj in West Champaran. He told a government committee that he earned a good amount of money each month from lending. Despite his own earnings, he cared deeply about the struggles of other farmers.
Honoring Raj Kumar Shukla
Stamps and Statues
To celebrate his 125th birthday, the Department of Posts created a special stamp in his honor in the year 2000. This was a way to remember his contributions.
In 2017, the government of Bihar put up a statue of Raj Kumar Shukla. This happened at the Gandhi Sangrahalay (Gandhi Museum) in Patna. It marked 100 years since the Champaran Satyagraha began. The Gandhi Peace Foundation in Delhi also displays a photograph of Raj Kumar Shukla.
Books About Raj Kumar Shukla
Documenting His Contributions
To mark 100 years of the Champaran Satyagraha, a writer named Arvind Mohan wrote a book. It was called Champaran: Satyagrah Ke Sahyogi. This book was about Raj Kumar Shukla and others who helped the movement. The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, released the book on April 10, 2017.
Later, in September 2017, Mohan wrote another book. It was titled Mr. M.K. Gandhi ki Champaran Diary. In this book, Raj Kumar Shukla was shown as a very important person. He was a main helper in Mahatma Gandhi's peaceful protest, the Satyagraha.
Gandhi's Arrival in Champaran
After being convinced by Raj Kumar Shukla, Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Champaran. He came with a team of important Indian leaders. These leaders included Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, and Brajkishore Prasad. Their arrival marked the beginning of the Champaran Satyagraha.
See also
- Champaran Satyagraha
