Tribals, Dikus and Golden Age Chapters 1-4

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Questions and Answers

Which tree is mentioned as significant in the lives of the tribal people?

Sal (correct)

Pine

Teak

Bamboo

What substance was spread on the soil after burning vegetation to aid fertility?

Phosphorus

Nitrogen

Potash (correct)

Compost

What is the primary agricultural practice of tribal groups described in the content?

Hydroponic farming

Permanent agriculture

Intensive crop cultivation

Jhum cultivation (correct)

Which of the following tools is NOT mentioned as used by the tribal cultivators?

Plough Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary geographical feature associated with the tribal cultivators mentioned?

Hilly and forested tracts Signup and view all the answers

In shifting cultivation, how are seeds typically sown?

By broadcasting them Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'fallow' refer to in the context of agriculture described?

A field left uncultivated for recovery Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of free movement within forests for tribal people?

It is crucial for practicing shifting cultivation Signup and view all the answers

What event occurred in 1906 in Assam related to tribal reactions?

The revolt of Songram Sangma Signup and view all the answers

What were some tribal groups' reactions to colonial forest laws?

Disobedience and illegal practices Signup and view all the answers

Why was Indian silk so valuable in the eighteenth century?

Its fine quality was sought after in Europe Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the forest satyagraha in the 1930s?

A protest against colonial forest laws Signup and view all the answers

What was a common issue faced by tribal groups with the influx of traders and money-lenders?

Unawareness of the long-term consequences Signup and view all the answers

What led to the increased presence of traders in tribal forests during the nineteenth century?

The demand for forest produce in urban areas Signup and view all the answers

What did tribal groups often misunderstand about cash loans offered by traders?

They did not recognize the risks of debt dependency Signup and view all the answers

What primary activities were essential for the survival of the Khonds?

Hunting and gathering Signup and view all the answers

What was a potential outcome for tribal communities as traders began entering their territories?

Loss of autonomy and economic control Signup and view all the answers

Which items did the Khonds utilize for medicinal purposes?

Forest shrubs and herbs Signup and view all the answers

What was a communal activity practiced by the Khonds?

Collective hunting Signup and view all the answers

What was a key source of oil used by the Khonds in cooking?

Oil from sal and mahua seeds Signup and view all the answers

In what way did local weavers and leather workers interact with the Khonds?

They relied on them for natural coloring materials Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following foods was NOT typically gathered by the Khonds?

Cereals Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Khonds play in the local economy?

They provided forest produce for markets Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Khonds' lifestyle?

Tribal and reliant on natural resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the transition of tribal groups in Bihar before the nineteenth century?

Many tribal groups began the practice of settled cultivation and land rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was the perception of British officials regarding settled tribal groups like the Gonds and Santhals?

They viewed them as primitive and in need of modernization. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the type of cultivation practiced by some tribal groups before the nineteenth century in Madhya Pradesh?

Bewar Signup and view all the answers

How did colonial rule impact the authority of tribal chiefs?

The economic power of tribal chiefs diminished with the arrival of the British. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following areas was land ownership practiced by clan members observed?

Chottanagpur, among the Mundas. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common social structure seen within tribal groups practicing settled cultivation?

Some individuals within the clan acquired more power, leading to a hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

Which activity were children primarily involved in according to the societal practices in Bihar during this period?

Gathering forest produce with their mothers. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the land ownership among the Mundas of Chottanagpur?

All members of the clan had rights over the clan's land as descendants. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change for tribal chiefs under British rule?

They had to follow laws made by British officials. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the British prefer settled peasants over shifting cultivators?

Settled peasants were easier to control and allowed for regular revenue. Signup and view all the answers

What was introduced to create a structured way to manage land under British rule?

Land settlements. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did British rule have on the authority of tribal chiefs?

They lost authority and could not fulfill traditional roles. Signup and view all the answers

What did the British aim to achieve by settling tribal groups?

To simplify administration and ensure revenue. Signup and view all the answers

How did the British enforcement of land rights impact tribal communities?

It disrupted existing tribal governance systems. Signup and view all the answers

In what manner were shifting cultivators viewed by the British authorities?

As a potential threat to stability. Signup and view all the answers

What role did tribal chiefs have post-British intervention?

They were required to discipline tribal groups for the British. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tribal Resistance and Colonial Impact

Tribal groups opposed colonial forest laws, leading to rebellions, such as the revolt of Songram Sangma in 1906 and the forest satyagraha in the 1930s.
Increased interaction with traders and money-lenders disrupted traditional practices, making tribes reliant on cash loans and wage work.

Shifting Cultivation Practices

Jhum cultivation, or shifting cultivation, involved cutting trees and burning vegetation for farming, common in hilly and forest regions.
Cultivators utilized ash from burnt vegetation to fertilize soil, broadcasting seeds rather than ploughing.
Once a field was harvested, cultivators moved to new patches, allowing the previous ones to recover.

Hunting and Gathering

Many tribal communities, like the Khonds in Orissa, thrived on hunting and gathering, depending on forests for survival.
They participated in collective hunts, sharing meat, and utilized various forest products for food and medicinal purposes.
Tribal groups sold forest produce in local markets and supplied local artisans with essential materials.

Transition to Settled Agriculture

Some tribal groups started settling and practicing continuous cultivation using ploughs, developing land ownership rights.
Clans like the Mundas operated on collective land ownership, with all members sharing rights due to their ancestry.

Colonial Administration Changes

Under British rule, tribal chiefs saw diminished power and were forced to comply with colonial laws, losing their administrative authority.
Chiefs lost economic autonomy and became agents of British control, required to uphold colonial laws within their territories.

Settled Peasant Cultivation

British policies encouraged shifting cultivators to settle down as peasant farmers for easier control and consistent revenue generation.
Land settlements were introduced, defining land rights and establishing fixed revenue demands to ensure regular state income.

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Description

Explore the intersection of tribal groups and colonialism in this quiz based on chapters 1 to 4. Understand the reactions of tribal populations against colonial forestry practices and their implications for a vision of a golden age. Test your knowledge and insights on this complex historical relationship.