NCERT CLASS 8 HISTORY CHAPTER 4: TRIBALS, DIKUS AND THE VISION OF A GOLDEN AGE

 

NCERT CLASS 8 HISTORY CHAPTER 4: TRIBALS, DIKUS AND THE VISION OF A GOLDEN AGE

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

The following were the problems faced by shifting cultivators under British rule:

• The British colonial government did not recognize the rights of shifting cultivators to land. As a result, they were often forced to leave their land and migrate to other areas.
• The introduction of settled agriculture and the spread of commercial crops led to the destruction of forests and the depletion of soil fertility. This made it difficult for shifting cultivators to find new land for cultivation.
• The imposition of revenue demands by the British led to increased pressure on land and forced the shifting cultivators to pay more taxes.

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

Under colonial rule, the powers of tribal chiefs changed in the following ways:

• The British colonial government replaced the traditional system of tribal administration with their own system of revenue collection and administration. This led to a loss of power and authority for the tribal chiefs.
• The British colonial government also introduced laws that restricted the powers of tribal chiefs and curtailed their authority over their subjects.
• The British colonial government often appointed non-tribal officials to positions of power, which further reduced the authority of tribal chiefs.

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

The anger of the tribals against the dikus (outsiders) can be attributed to the following reasons:

• The British colonial government, and the officials who represented it, were seen as outsiders who did not understand or respect tribal traditions and customs.
• The British colonial government often imposed laws and regulations that were seen as oppressive by the tribals.
• The British colonial government's policies often led to the destruction of forests and the depletion of natural resources, which impacted the livelihoods of the tribals.

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

Birsa Munda was a tribal leader from the region of modern-day Jharkhand who led a rebellion against British rule in the late 19th century. Birsa's vision of a golden age was a society in which the tribal people of the region would be free from oppression and able to live according to their traditional customs and beliefs. Some key features of Birsa's vision of a golden age included:

1. Equality: Birsa believed that all people, regardless of their social status or background, should be treated as equals. He saw a society in which everyone had access to the same resources and opportunities.
2. Social Justice: Birsa was critical of the caste system and believed in social justice for all. He fought against the exploitation of tribal people by landlords and British officials.
3. Self-Governance: Birsa envisioned a society in which the tribal people of the region would govern themselves according to their own traditions and customs. He opposed British attempts to impose their own legal system and administrative structures on the region.
4. Cultural Revival: Birsa believed that the tribal people of the region should be proud of their cultural heritage and should work to preserve and revive their traditional customs and beliefs.

Birsa's vision of a golden age appealed to the people of the region for a number of reasons:

1. Oppression: Tribal people in the region were facing a great deal of oppression under British rule, as well as exploitation by local landlords. Birsa's vision of a more just and equal society offered hope to those who were suffering.
2. Cultural Pride: Birsa's emphasis on cultural revival was particularly appealing to people who were worried about the loss of their traditional customs and beliefs in the face of British influence.
3. Self-Determination: Birsa's vision of self-governance resonated with people who were tired of being ruled by outsiders and wanted to take control of their own lives and destinies.
4. Hope: Finally, Birsa's vision of a golden age offered a sense of hope and possibility to people who were struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families in difficult circumstances.