In the Indian national movement, who emerged as the main leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha campaign of 1928 in Gujarat?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 was one of the most important peasant movements of the Indian freedom struggle. It took place in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat in response to a steep enhancement of land revenue by the British authorities. The movement is remembered not only for its success but also because it brought to national prominence a leader who earned the popular title 'Sardar' for his firm yet disciplined leadership of the peasants.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The question asks specifically about the main leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha campaign in 1928.
  • Bardoli Satyagraha was a non violent, organised peasant struggle against increased land revenue demands.
  • The options include several national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Chittaranjan Das.
  • We must identify who actually directed the agitation on the ground and became the recognised leader of Bardoli peasants.


Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to connect Bardoli with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. While Gandhi inspired and supported many such struggles, Bardoli was led locally by Patel, who carefully organised the peasants, negotiated with the authorities and maintained strict non violent discipline. His success in this campaign earned him the honorific title 'Sardar' from the people of Bardoli. Therefore, we need to recall which one of the listed leaders is associated in textbooks as the leader of Bardoli Satyagraha.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Recall that Bardoli Satyagraha occurred in 1928 in Gujarat as a response to revenue enhancement. Step 2: Remember that Vallabhbhai Patel took charge of organising meetings, educating peasants and setting up volunteer groups. Step 3: Note that Gandhi supported the movement morally, but he did not personally run the day-to-day struggle in Bardoli. Step 4: Recognise that Rabindranath Tagore and Chittaranjan Das were important in other contexts but not directly linked to Bardoli leadership. Step 5: Conclude that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the central leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha and select his name as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
Most standard histories of India label Bardoli Satyagraha as Patel's biggest pre independence achievement. They also explain that the peasants conferred on him the title 'Sardar', meaning chief or leader, after the successful settlement. This repeated association between Bardoli and Patel in multiple sources confirms that he was indeed the main leader of the campaign.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Rabindranath Tagore: A Nobel Prize winning poet and thinker who criticised British rule but did not lead the Bardoli peasant struggle.
  • Mahatma Gandhi: He inspired the movement and advised the peasants, yet the organisational leadership in Bardoli was in the hands of Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Chittaranjan Das: A prominent nationalist from Bengal, known for the Swaraj Party, not connected with Bardoli leadership.
  • Motilal Nehru: A senior Congress leader and father of Jawaharlal Nehru, again not associated with leading this particular satyagraha.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that Gandhi personally led every satyagraha in India and to select his name automatically. Another error is to confuse different regional agitations and their leaders. For exam purposes, it is useful to associate Bardoli Satyagraha specifically with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the organiser and chief leader of the peasants.


Final Answer:
Correct answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

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