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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate12 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age' explores the life of tribal communities in India during British rule. It discusses how their traditional practices were disrupted by colonial policies and the entry of outsiders, referred to as 'dikus', leading to significant changes in their societies. The chapter highlights the socio-economic transformations, resistance movements led by figures like Birsa Munda, and the vision of a golden age where tribal self-governance and traditions were restored. It delves into the struggles of tribals under colonialism, their adaptations, and resistance against exploitation.
Key Topics
- •Impact of British colonial policies on tribal societies
- •Shifting cultivation and its challenges
- •Role of Birsa Munda and tribal resistance movements
- •Changes in tribal leadership and governance
- •Economic exploitation by traders and moneylenders
- •Vision of a golden age and cultural revival
- •Adaptation and survival strategies of tribal groups
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the socio-economic and cultural impact of British colonial rule on tribal communities.
- ✓Analyze the causes and consequences of tribal revolts during the colonial period.
- ✓Examine the role of key tribal leaders like Birsa Munda in resistance movements.
- ✓Identify the challenges faced by tribal groups due to colonial forest laws and economic exploitation.
- ✓Evaluate the vision of a golden age and its significance for tribal identity and revival.
Questions in Chapter
Fill in the blanks: (a) The British described the tribal people as ____________. (b) The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as ____________. (c) The tribal chiefs got _________ titles in central India under the British land settlements. (d) Tribals went to work in the __________ of Assam and the ____________ in Bihar.
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State whether true or false: (a) Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds. (b) Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price. (c) Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery. (d) The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life.
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What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
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How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?
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What accounts for the anger of the tribals against the dikus?
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What was Birsa’s vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a vision appealed to the people of the region?
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Find out from your parents, friends or teachers, the names of some heroes of other tribal revolts in the twentieth century. Write their story in your own words.
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Choose any tribal group living in India today. Find out about their customs and way of life, and how their lives have changed in the last 50 years.
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Additional Practice Questions
Discuss the socio-economic impact of British forest laws on tribal communities.
mediumAnswer: British forest laws classified large areas as reserved forests, where tribals were restricted from practicing jhum cultivation, gathering forest produce, or hunting. This led to the displacement of tribal communities, loss of traditional livelihoods, and increased dependence on colonial rulers and traders, exacerbating poverty and exploitation.
Examine the role of tribal revolts in India's freedom struggle.
hardAnswer: Tribal revolts like those led by Birsa Munda played a significant role in India's freedom struggle by resisting colonial exploitation and asserting indigenous rights. These movements underscored the capacity of tribal groups to mobilize against injustice and influenced broader anti-colonial sentiments.
Analyze the relationship between tribal chiefs and British colonial rulers.
mediumAnswer: Under British rule, tribal chiefs were allowed to retain their land rights but lost significant administrative powers. They were often reduced to figureheads, adhering to colonial laws and paying tribute, undermining their traditional authority and roles within their communities.
How did the introduction of new taxes affect the tribal economy?
hardAnswer: New taxes imposed by the British, such as land, forest, and cattle taxes, placed an enormous burden on tribals, often necessitating the sale of cattle or land to pay off these taxes. This led to a deeper entrenchment in debt and poverty, which were exacerbated by exploitative practices of moneylenders and traders.
What strategies did tribals employ to cope with the loss of traditional lands under colonial policies?
mediumAnswer: Tribals employed various strategies, including covert resistance, migration to other regions, integration into labor forces in plantations and mines, and participation in organized uprisings to reclaim their land rights and protest against exploitative policies.