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Daughter. When Mahatma Gandhi reached Champaran in 1917, he stayed for a long time at Hazarimal Dharamshala in Bettiah during the beginning of Satyagraha. Hazarimal Jhunjhunwala had made this Dharamshala available to Gandhiji and his team despite British pressure, whereas at that time very few people had the courage to accommodate them.

This place soon became the main center of Champaran Satyagraha. Indigo farmers from nearby villages used to gather here and narrate their plight of British atrocities. Gandhiji’s team – which included Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Acharya J.B. Kripalani and Brajkishore Prasad were the main ones – they used to sit here and record the statements of the farmers and prepare the further strategy of the movement.

When the traveling group reached to see this historical heritage, the scene before them was extremely sad. That main center of the Champaran movement has now turned into ruins, buried under the shadow of a big shopping mall. Wild trees have grown on the walls and there are heaps of garbage nearby.

The Bihar government calls it part of the “Gandhi Circuit”, but in reality it is a victim of complete administrative negligence and neglect. Due to lack of conservation, this important building of Champaran Satyagraha may soon die forever.