Choose the appropriate option
a) The Khonds living in the forests of ________ were hunters and gatherers.
Answer: Odisha
b) The ________ flag was raised as a symbol of Munda Raj.
Answer: White
c) ________ introduced by the British affected the lives of the tribals.
Answer: Forest laws
d) The attempt of British officials to conquer ________ was met with stiff opposition.
Answer: Singhbhum
e) The Santhals of Hazirabagh (present-day Jharkhand) reared ________.
Answer: Cocoon
Assertion and Reason Questions
a) Assertion (A): Displaced tribals did not like labour-intensive work.
Reason (R): Displaced tribals were paid very low wages.
Answer: (ii) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
b) Assertion (A): The British wanted tribal groups to settle down in one place.
Reason (R): This made administration easier.
Answer: (i) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
c) Assertion (A): Many tribal groups earned their livelihoods by felling trees and selling the wood in nearby markets.
Reason (R): They organised collective hunts, and ate fruits and roots collected from the forests.
Answer: (ii) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Match the Columns
| Column A | Column B |
| (a) The kol Revolt | (i)1855 |
| (b) The Santhal Hul | (ii) 1831-1832 |
| ©The Bastar Revolt | (iii)1940 |
| (d) The warli revolt | (iv)1910 |
a) The Kol Revolt → 1831–1832
b) The Santhal Hul → 1855
c) The Bastar Revolt → 1910
d) The Warli Revolt → 1940
Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words
a) Where were the shifting cultivators found?
Answer: Shifting cultivators were found in forested and hilly areas of Northeast India, Central India, and the Western Ghats.
b) Name the various sources of tribal livelihood.
Answer: Hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation, settled farming, herding animals, and selling forest products.
c) Which tribal groups relied on herding animals for their livelihoods?
Answer: Van Gujjars of Punjab and Jammu, and the Gaddis of Kulu relied on herding animals.
d) How was tribal ire against British intrusion vented out?
Answer: Tribals expressed anger through revolts, protests, and violent uprisings against British policies and exploitations.
e) Which forests were categorised as Reserve forests?
Answer: The best and most fertile forests were declared as Reserve forests by the British.
f) Who were the leaders of the Santhal Hul?
Answer: Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu led the Santhal Hul in 1855.
Answer the questions in 50 to 70 words
a) What are the characteristics of shifting cultivation?
Answer: Shifting cultivation, also known as jhum, involved clearing a patch of forest by cutting and burning trees, growing crops for a few years, and then moving to a new area when the soil lost fertility. It required no ploughs or fertilizers, and depended mainly on natural fertility and monsoon rains.
b) Why did the British introduce land settlements? How were these settlements implemented?
Answer: The British introduced land settlements to control revenue and land ownership. They implemented the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems where zamindars or peasants paid taxes directly to the British. These settlements allowed the colonial government to earn steady income but made tribals lose their land rights and face exploitation.
c) Explain the nature of the Kol revolt.
Answer: The Kol revolt (1831–1832) was against exploitation by moneylenders, landlords, and British officials. The Kols of Chotanagpur attacked symbols of colonial authority, burning houses and killing outsiders. It was a violent expression of their anger at the loss of traditional land and rights.
d) Write a brief note on settled cultivation.
Answer: Settled cultivation meant farming on a fixed piece of land permanently. Tribals began to plough fields, use cattle, and grow crops regularly. This was encouraged by the British but it reduced tribal freedom, tied them to taxes, and made them dependent on markets.
e) Describe the plight of the displaced tribals, following their relocation in search of alternative livelihoods.
Answer: Displaced tribals, after losing forests, faced poverty, hunger, and low wages. Many were forced into bonded labour, migrated to plantations, or worked as labourers in mines and factories. They lost community bonds and cultural independence, which led to great hardships.
f) Write a brief note on the Santhal rebellion of 1855.
Answer: The Santhal rebellion of 1855 was led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu against moneylenders, zamindars, and the British. The Santhals opposed exploitation, unfair land policies, and loss of their traditional rights. The revolt spread widely but was brutally suppressed by the British army.
Give reasons
(a)Under British rule, drastic changes came about in the functions and powers of tribal chiefs.
Answer: Tribal chiefs lost their independence under British rule. They no longer had authority over forests, could not collect revenues freely, and had to follow British laws. Their traditional role as community leaders was weakened.
b) Forest laws introduced by the British affected tribal lives considerably.
Answer: Forest laws restricted hunting, grazing, and shifting cultivation. Tribals could not collect forest produce freely, leading to loss of food and livelihood. They became dependent on low-paid labour, which caused resentment.
Long Answer
Do you believe that a peaceful protest could have been the solution to all the grievances of the tribal groups? Justify your answer with appropriate reasons.
Answer: Peaceful protest alone may not have been effective for tribal groups. The British rarely listened to the grievances of the poor and often used force to suppress even small demonstrations. Landlords, moneylenders, and officials exploited tribals, and their very survival was at risk. In such conditions, violent uprisings seemed the only way to express anger. However, if strong leadership and unity had been maintained, peaceful movements might have gained wider support and attracted attention to their plight.