For Class 8 Social Science History, Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age.

For Class 8 Social Science History, Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age.

How Tribal Groups Lived

Jhum Cultivators: Also known as shifting cultivators, these groups lived in the hilly and forested areas of North-East and Central India. They would cut treetops to let sunlight reach the ground, burn the vegetation, and then scatter seeds for a crop. Once the crop was harvested, they would move to a new field, leaving the old one fallow for a few years to regain fertility.

Hunters and Gatherers:Many tribes, such as the Khonds of Odisha, lived by hunting animals and gathering forest produce. They would collectively hunt, eat fruits and roots, and use forest shrubs for medicinal purposes. They often traded forest goods for items they needed, like salt and food grains.

Animal Herders: Some tribal groups were pastoralists who moved with their herds of cattle or sheep according to the seasons. For example, the **Gaddis** of Kulu were shepherds, and the **Van Gujjars** of Punjab Hills were cattle herders.

Settled Cultivators: Before the 19th century, some tribes, like the **Mundas** of Chottanagpur, began to settle down and practice agriculture in one place. They had defined rights over their land, which was often considered the property of the clan.

 Colonial Rule's Impact on Tribal Lives

Changes for Tribal Chiefs: Before the British, tribal chiefs held significant power and administrative rights. Under colonial rule, they lost most of these powers, were forced to follow British laws, and had to pay tribute. While they were allowed to keep their land titles, their authority was greatly diminished.

mpact on Shifting Cultivators: The British wanted to control and administer the tribal people for revenue purposes, so they forced shifting cultivators to settle down. This was difficult for the cultivators, as their land and water resources were not always suitable for settled agriculture.

Forest Laws and Their Effects:The British declared forests as state property, dividing them into Reserved and Protected forests. This meant that tribals were banned from their traditional practices of hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation, forcing many to move in search of work.

The Problem with Trade: Traders and moneylenders (dikus) were seen as a source of misery. They would offer loans to tribals at very high interest rates, leading to debt and poverty. Tribals who worked in plantations, like tea gardens, were paid very low wages.

 Birsa Munda and the Munda Rebellion

Birsa Munda was a tribal leader who lived in Chottanagpur. He declared that God had appointed him to save his people from the slavery of the dikus. He urged his followers to purify themselves and give up bad habits.

Vision of a Golden Age:Birsa's vision was for a Satyug (age of truth) where the Mundas would live a good life, free from the oppression of outsiders. This appealed to the tribals because it promised to restore their ancestral rights, culture, and self-rule (Munda Raj).

Uprising:Birsa led a rebellion against the British and the dikus, using guerilla tactics. He was eventually captured in 1900 and died in jail, but his movement inspired other tribal revolts and became a symbol of resistance.

Questions & Answers

Fill in the blanks:

1. The British described the tribal people as wild and savage

2. The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as broadcasting

3. The tribal chiefs got land titles in central India under the British land settlements.

4. Tribals went to work in the tea plantations of Assam and the coal mines in Bihar.

 State whether true or false:

1. Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds. (False)

2. Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price. (True)

3. Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery. (True)

4. The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life. (False)

 Short Answer Questions:

1. What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?

    A-The British wanted to control and collect revenue from them, so they forced them to settle down and practice settled agriculture. This was difficult because the land was often unsuitable, and they lost their freedom of movement within the forests.

2. How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?

   A- They lost their administrative powers and were forced to follow British laws. They had to pay a tribute to the British and discipline their people on their behalf, significantly reducing their authority and traditional functions.

3. What accounts for the anger of the tribals against the dikus?

    A-The dikus, which included moneylenders, traders, and British officials, were seen as the cause of their misery. They took over tribal lands, exploited them through high-interest loans, and interfered with their traditional way of life. The British forest laws also restricted tribal access to forests, which were essential for their survival.

4. What was Birsa's vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a vision appealed to the people of the region?**

    A-Birsa's vision was a return to a past "golden age" where the Mundas would be free from the oppression of outsiders, live honestly, and rule themselves in their own kingdom. This vision appealed to the people because it promised to restore their dignity, autonomy, and traditional way of life that had been destroyed by colonial rule and the dikus.