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The Story of Bardoli/Part I

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The Story of Bardoli ~ Part I. The Satyagraha
written by Mahadev Desai
Part II. The Enquiry
1929. Being a History of the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 and Its Sequel.



Contents

Part I - The Satyagraha

Chapter I: Bardoli and its People

Bardoli came on the map quite suddenly and does not quite realize its position. The Pioneer

Chapter II: The Bleeding Process

The main concern of the rulers of India is not the improvementof the condition of the people, but the increase of the sources from which revenue can be drawn. Keir Hardie

Chapter III: What Happened with Bardoli

Assessments cannot be dictated by the theorist in his study; they elude dogmatic treatment and can only be safely worked out by the settlement officer in the village and on the fields. Government of India's Resolution of the 16th January

Chapter IV: The People's Case

It is one of the tragedies of public life that the wrong people are so often right. The Spectator

Chapter V: Twelfth of February

Oh, come, thou God of liberty
And fill our souls this day
A French song of the 14th of July

Chapter VI: Planning the Campaign

Having now gone into the water, you must learn to swin. Vallabhbhai Patel

Chapter VII: Clearing the Position

Clear speaking is needed: a fight that is not clean-handed will make victory more disgraceful than any defeat. Mac Swiney

Chapter VIII: Gandhiji Blesses the Movement

The invisible guide and vivifying example. Rt. Hon. Shrinivas Shastri

Chapter IX: The First Month

The peasant is like a sack of meal.

Chapter X: Partial Amends and Apologia

A departure from truth was hardly known to be a sigle one. Richardson

Chapter XI: The First Show of Frightfulness

Indeed the 'ablest Civil Service in the world' has laid the foundation of its greatness on frightfulness. Gandhi

Chapter XII: Recalling of 1921

The Satyagraha shows no signs of abatement. The Times of India

Chapter XIII: The Peasants' Sardar

Every burning word he spoke
Full of rage and full of grief

Chapter XIV: The Second Stage

Render all police useless by your peaceful behaviour. Vallabhbhai Patel

Chapter XV: A Reign of Lawlessness – I

The Government which simply ignored you a little while ago is reckoning with you. Vallabhbhai Patel

Chapter XVI: A Reign of Lawlessness – II

God hath many sharpening instruments and rough files for the polishing of his jewels. Leighton

Chapter XVII: A Reign of Lawlessness – III

I promise you weariness, hardship and battles. But we will conquer or die. Garibaldi

Chapter XVIII: A Commissioner's Vagaries

A stray hair, by its continued irritation, may give more annoyance, than a smart blow. Lowell

Chapter XIX: Cynosure of all Eyes

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. Is. 1x, 22

Chapter XX: Not a Miracle

Forge our strength link by link till we put on the amour of invincibility. Terence Mac Swiney

Chapter XXI: The Combat Deepens

Threatening what his weak arm could never execute. King Lear

Chapter XXII: Accused Judging

Qui s'excuse s'accuse.

Chapter XXIII: Prostitution of Justice

Man, proud man,
Drest in a little brief authority
Most ignorant of what he is most assured. Shakespeare

Chapter XXIV: The Women of Bardoli

Does she wind clinging arms around him, telling him with tears, of their children and his early vows, and beseeching to think of his love and forget his country ? No. Terrence Mac Swiney

Chapter XXV: The Interceders

One hears rumours of intercessions by well-meaning friends. They have the right, it may be even their duty, to intercede. But let these friends realize the significance of the movement. They are not to represent a weak people. The people of Bardoli stand for an absolutely just cause. They ask no favour, they ask only justice... Theose therefore who will intervene will harm the people and their cause, if they do not appreciate the implications of the struggle which cannot be lightly given up or compromised. Gandhiji

Chapter XXVI: Impartial Witnesses

The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom. Aristotle

Chapter XXVII: The Sleepers Awake

The existence of a situation unique in the history of British administration that must sooner or later result in bloodshed or abdication by the Government in the taluka. The Times of India

Chapter XXVIII: Rattling of the Sabre

What cracker is this same, that deafs our ears
With this abundance of superfluous breath. Shakespeare

Chapter XXIX: Safe in God's Hands

Our souls waiteth for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. Ps. 33, 20

Chapter XXX: Triumph of Satyagraha

I have found the art of deceiving diplomats. I speak the truth. Cavour

Chapter XXXI: Chorus of Applause

I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more is none. Shakespeare

Postscript

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