tribals dikus and the vision of a golden age question answer

 

 

CHAPTER 4

TRIBALS, DIKUS AND THE VISION OF A GOLDEN AGE

 

Fill in the blanks:

(a) The British described the tribal people as-------------------

Ans. Uncivilized

(b) The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as------------------

Ans. Broadcasting

(c) The tribal chiefs got-------------------- titles in central India under the British land settlements.

Ans. Land

(d) Tribals went to Work in the------------------of Assam and the in Bihar.

Ans. Tea plantations, coal mines

 

Q State whether true or false:

i. Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds.

ii. Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price.

ii.Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery.

iv.The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life.

Ans. (a) False, (b) True, (c) True, (d) False

 

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

ANS. The roving farmers were compelled to switch to permanent farming. However, their limited water supply and soil type prevented them from producing enough. Following restrictions on access to the forest, many of them were forced to relocate in search of employment.

 

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

ANS: -During the British administration, the roles and authority of the tribal chiefs were significantly altered. Their administrative authority was largely diminished. They were compelled to abide by British laws. They were required to honour the British. On behalf of the British government, they were required to enforce discipline among their people. They could, however, continue to rent out their farms and maintain their land titles throughout a number of communities. As a result, during colonial control, the authority of the tribal leaders was greatly diminished.

 

 

Q. What accounts for the anger of the tribal's against the dikus?

ANS: - For the indigenous people, dealing with traders and merchants typically entailed debt and hardship. Therefore, traders and moneylenders were viewed as bad outsiders. They were thought to be the root of the indigenous people's suffering. The term "dikus" was used to refer to outsiders, such as moneylenders.

 

 

 

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

 

ANS. The tribal sirdars spoke of a "golden age," during which the Mundas were free from the dikus' (enemy') persecution. They imagined a day when the community's ancient rights would be reinstated. Everyone desires freedom from oppression, and the majority of individuals desire their community to be proud of them. For the indigenous people, the idea of a golden age was like a dream. Therefore, the residents of the area found this idea appealing.