These DAV Class 8 SST Solutions and DAV Class 8 SST Chapter 10 Question Answer – Colonialism: Rural and Tribal Societies are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 10 Question Answer – Colonialism: Rural and Tribal Societies
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 10 Solutions – Colonialism: Rural and Tribal Societies
Something to Know
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Under the Mahalwari System, the word mahal means-
(a) a group of cities
(b) a group of villages
(c) a group of districts
(d) a group of towns
Answer:
(b) a group of villages
Question 2.
The Ryotwari System was introduced by-
(a) Lord Cornwallis
(b) Holt Mackenzie
(c) Thomas Munro
(d) Lord Wellesley
Answer:
(c) Thomas Munro
Question 3.
The other name of Zamindari Bandobast was-
(a) Permanent Revenue System
(b) Ryotwari System
(c) Mahalwari System
(d) Kisandari System
Answer:
(a) Permanent Revenue System
Question 4.
Who was the leader of the Santhals’ revolt?
(a) Bar Manik and Triut Singh
(b) Sindhu and Kanhu Murmu
(c) Birsa Munda
(d) Bhuwan
Answer:
(b) Sindhu and Kanhu Murmu
Question 5.
Where did Industrial Revolution begin first?
(a) England
(b) France
(c) Holland
(d) Spain
Answer:
(a) England
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. English shattered the self-sufficient ________ economy.
Answer:
rural
2. Many tribals left forests in search of ________ .
Answer:
livelihood
3. Zamindari system was introduced in Bengal by ________ .
Answer:
Lord Cornwallis
4. ________ revenue was the biggest source of income for the Company.
Answer:
Land
5. Basic or ________ industry started in India after independence.
Answer:
key
C. Write True or False for the following statements.
1. Before the advent of East India Company, the rural life in India was simple and self-sufficient.
Answer:
True
2. The British wanted to smuggle and sell opium in Spain to earn profit.
Answer:
False
3. Kisan Sabhas were formed in 1930 to support the cause of peasants.
Answer:
True
4. The khonds of Orissa practised shifting agriculture.
Answer:
True
5. The tribal chiefs lost all their powers and were forced to follow the laws made by the British officers in India.
Answer:
True
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
Highlight the main features of Mahalwari System.
Answer:
Mahalwari System: In this system, settlement was made collectively, with a group of villagers called mahal. Since the land, the forests and the pastures belonged to the village community, the villages were jointly responsible for the payment of land revenue. It was levied on the produce of a mahal.
Question 2.
Why did the British force Indian farmers to grow commercial crops?
Answer:
The East India Company wanted to collect maximum taxes to meet their military and administrative expenses. They also wanted to gain maximum profit. So, the company started using coercive methods to procure goods which were in great demand in Europe. They purchased raw material at low rates and sent to England. The finished goods were brought back to India and sold at high prices to earn more profits. The Company forced the farmers to grow crops like indigo, cotton, raw silk, opium, pepper, tea, sugarcane, etc.
Question 3.
What was the impact of colonial rule on the tribals of India? Mention any three.
Answer:
The British rule badly affected the life of the tribals:
- Almost every tribe had a tribal chief. But under the British rule, the chief lost all power and were forced to follow the laws made by the British officers in India.
- The Britishers did not like shifting cultivation. When the tribals forced them to allow them to continue this system, they (Britishers) made several changes in the forest laws which made the tribal life very difficult. Most of the forests were declared as the state property. Many tribals had to move to other areas in search of livelihood.
- During the nineteenth century, when the demand for the forest produce increased, the traders and the moneylenders took advantage of the situation. They went to the tribals and offered them cash loans. They also asked them to work on wages. By offering cash loans they trapped the innocent tribals in their net which proved veiy oppressive.
- Many tribals were out of work. A large number of them were recruited through contractors to work in the tea plantations in far off areas of Assam. They were paid low wages and were not allowed to go back home. Many tribals were also recruited in factories and fields to work under very harsh conditions. (Any three)
Question 4.
Write short notes on the Birsa Movement.
Answer:
Birsa was born in the mid-1870s in a family of Mundas, a tribal group that lived in Chhotanagpur. In 1895, Birsa Munda emerged as a hero of the tribals. He urged them to work on their land to earn their living. This would end their sufferings. Slowly and steadily, the Birsa movement became popular. Birsa told his people that land policies of the British were destroying their traditional land system. Birsa was jailed for two years but on his release, he instigated the tribals to attack zamindars. He raised the white flag as a symbol of Birsa Raj. The movement ended in 1900 with the death of Birsa.
Question 5.
Highlight any three changes that took place in modern industries in the nineteenth centuiy.
Answer:
(i) Industries like cotton, jute, iron and steel developed at a fast rate. For example, the expansion of railways, the demand for coal, iron and steel increased.
(ii) With the passage of time, the cement, chemical and sugar industries also developed.
(iii) Tea became the biggest plantation industry in Assam, Bengal and South India. Other plantation industries were coffee, cinchona and rubber.
E. Answer the following questions
Question 1.
List the main features of Permanent Settlement. How did the production of opium, indigo and sugar shot up the profit margins of the East India Company?
Answer:
The main features of Permanent settlement:
(i) Zamindari was made a hereditary right of the zamindars and the permanent settlement or the Zamindari Bandobast.
(ii) They were made the owners of the land.
(iii) They were forced to pay 89% of the total revenue to the British government. Their own share was 11%.
The East India Company sold opium in China and earned huge profits. Indigo was in great demand in the textile industries of Britain. The peasants were forced to cultivate indigo plants to extract blue dye. But they were never paid just prices. Similarly, sugar was also in great demand in the West. Hence, many Europeans set up sugar plantations in India. Again, the farmers were the sufferers. They had to produce sugar at a very low price.
Thus, the British industries flourished at the cost of the Indian industries.
Question 2.
Differentiate between Ryotwari and Mahalwari system.
Answer:
- The Ryotwari system was introduced in 1820 in South and West of India. The Mahalwari system was introduced in 1822 in Gangetic Valley, North-West provinces, Central India and Punjab.
- In the Ryotwari system, a direct settlement was made between the government and the ryots or cultivators. Under the Mahalwari system, a settlement was made collectively, with a group of villages called mahal.
- In the Ryotwari system, the revenue was directly collected from the cultivator. Under the Mahalwari system, the villagers were jointly responsible for the payment of land revenue.
Question 3.
How did colonialism systematically destroy Indian crafts and industries? Explain.
Answer:
Before the Company monopolised trade, India was very rich in handicrafts, calica, muslin, wool and silk products. Metal works of iron, steel, copper, brass, gold and silver were also in great demand. In the seventeenth century, trade with European nations was in favour of India as we exported large quantities of fine cotton, silk fabrics, spices, indigo, drugs, precious stones and handicrafts.
But the company’s policy systematically destroyed crafts, cottage industries and artisanship of India.
- To safeguard the British cotton industry, Indian silk and cotton textiles were destroyed with imposition of very heavy duty on Indian goods, promotion of British machine-made articles at cheaper rates and decrease in the princely patronage.
- The British brought changes in their trade policies which forced the Indian craftsmen and artisans to give up their traditional livelihood.
- The industrial revolution in Britain and other European countries also played a major role in destroying the Indian industries.
Question 4.
How far were British agrarian and tribal policies responsible for widespread discontentment in India?
Answer:
Before the advent of the East India Company, the Indian rural life was simple and sufficient. The British brought many changes in the field of land revenue system, agriculture, trade, industry and administration to guard their own interest. They devised various methods to ensure the collection of revenue from Indian territories arranged by them.
With the passage of time the British empire expanded. As a result, the amount of revenue also increased. The company found land revenue the biggest source of income. Hence it introduced several Land Revenue Settlements such as Zamindari System under the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari System, Mahalwari System, etc.
All these systems proved oppressive to the farmers. The Zamindari System empowered the zamindars so much so that they began to use oppressive methods to collect taxes from the cultivators. They had the power to evict any cultivator of the soil due to non-payment of revenue. The Ryotwari and Mahalwari Systems only added miseries to the farmers’ life. The next target of the Company was the tribals of India, who lived in deep forests and led a life of self-sufficiency.
But the Company made their life very difficult by introducing several changes in the forest laws. Most of the forests were declared as the state property. Many tribals had to move to other areas in search of livelihoods.
The commercialisation of agriculture and exploitation of forest wealth made many tribals homeless and jobless. The unjust policies of the British resulted in rebellions by tribals in different parts of India.
Question 5.
Describe any five revolts by the tribals against the British.
Answer:
1. Revolt by the Khasis, who lived in the Khasi hills of north-west Assam, took place in 1829. The construction of a road through their land united many Khasi chiefs against the English under the leadership of Bar Manik and Tirut Singh. But the British suppressed their rebellion brutally.
2. The Kukis of hilly regions of Manipur continued attacking the British territories from 1829. But they were forced to surrender in 1850.
3. The Khonds of Khondmals (near Orissa) revolted against the British in 1846 due to the fear of being annexed. But they could not stand before the might of Britishers.
4. The Santhals found themselves quite helpless against the ruthless exploitation and oppression of the traders and the middlemen. They were expecting the British government to safeguard their interests. When nothing was done, they revolted against the Britishers in 1855 to 1856 under the leadership of Sindhu and Kanhu Murmu.
5. Mundas of Chotanagpur, joined by the Kokarian tribe of the same region, revolted in 1831. The struggle was suppressed by the British forces. But the exploitation by the merchants and the moneylenders continued.
In 1895, Birsa Munda, a young boy, emerged as hero of tribals. He urged them to continue to work on their own land to earn their living and not to move away. This would end all their sufferings.
Value Based Question
The management of forests led to some of the tribal revolts in India, as forests were the main sources of the livelihood of many tribals. The British government had introduced certain legislations permitting merchants and contractors to cut the forests. These rules not only deprived the tribals of several forest products but also made them victims of harassment by the forest offcials. This led to rebel movement by the tribals in Andhra Pradesh and some other parts of India.
Question 1.
Why did the British introduce some laws related to forests? How did it destroy the rights of the triabls?
Answer:
The British government introduced some laws related to forests to permitting merchants and contractors to cut the forests. The tribal lived in deep forests..They firmly believed that the forests belonged to them and they belonged to the forests. But the laws related to forests made the tribal life very difficult. Most of the forests were declared as the state property. As a result, many tribals had to move to other areas in search of livelihood.
Question 2.
Do you think that efficient management of forests is the need of hour? Justify your answer with suitable arguments.
Answer:
Yes, efficient management of forests is the need of the hour. Today people cut trees to serve their needs. But the world is facing its conseuence such as global warming. Certain laws should be made to strictly prohibit the cutting of trees.
Map Skill
On an outline political map of India, locate and name the states where the following tribal communities live.
(a) Abors
(b) Badagas
(c) Baiga
(d) Bhotias
(e) Chakma
(f) Banjaras
(g) Ahirs
(h) Andamanese
(i) Lalung
(j) Nagas
Note: You can take the help of Internet for completing this exercise.
Answer:
Something to Do
Question 1.
Collect information about any three tribal communities of India who still live in isolation from the modern developments.
Answer:
There are several tribal communities who still live in isolation from the modern developments. For example, Maria, Muria, Gonds, Dhruwas, Bhatras, Kolis, Santhals, Mindas, Bhits, etc. are tribal communicaties living in different parts of India. Somali, Boran, Turkana, etc. are living in Africa.
Question 2.
List the ways in which the modernisation has destroyed the self-sufficiency of Indian villages.
Answer:
Modernisation everywhere has caused great chaos in the life of the villagers. Some of the ways in which their self-sufficiency has been destroyed are:
(i) Deforestation for the establishment of multi-storeyed apartment and industries.
(ii) Expansion of cultivation to fulfil the growing use of food.
(iii) Migration on a large scale for better opportunities.
(iv) Growing ambitions of the people.
Question 3.
‘Tribal communities of India must maintain their cultural identity. Hold a debate in the class. The students should be encouraged to speak ‘for’ and ‘against’ the topic.
Answer:
Do yourself.
Question 4.
What is the condition of Santhal silk growers today? Try to collect information from various sources.
Answer:
The condition of Santhal silk growers are not well even today. They are still living a hard life. Not much upliftment is seen in their life style. Hence, they need to be taken care of.
DAV Class 8 Social Science Chapter 10 Question Answer – Colonialism: Rural and Tribal Societies
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Under Zamindari System, Zamindars were made land owners and were forced to pay ________ of the total revenue to the British government.
(a) 11%
(b) 41%
(c) 89%
(d) 91%
Answer:
(c) 89%
Question 2.
In which of the following area was Mahalwari System not introduced?
(a) Madras
(b) Punjab
(c) Central India
(d) Gangetic Valley
Answer:
(a) Madras
Question 3.
One of the following items which the Britishers began to sell in China is.
(a) opium
(b) indigo
(c) cotton
(d) sugarcane
Answer:
(a) opium
Question 4.
The organisation of Kisan Sabhas started in the year.
(a) 1918
(b) 1925
(c) 1927
(d) 1930
Answer:
(d) 1930
Question 5.
The demand of the Kisan movement in Uttar Pradesh was to.
(a) reduce the revenue
(b) abolish Zamindari system
(c) stop farmers’ exploilation
(d) abolish Ryotwari system
Answer:
(c) stop farmers’ exploilation
Question 6.
Who are associated with rearing of silk worms for the production of cocoons?
(a) Santhals of Hazaribagh
(b) Van Gujjars of Punjab
(c) Gaddis of Kulu
(d) Mundas of Chhotanagpur
Answer:
(a) Santhals of Hazaribagh
Question 7.
The Santhals of Hazaribagh revolted against the Britishers under the leadership of.
(a) Bar Manki and Tirut Singh
(b) Siddum and Kanku
(c) Birsa Munda
(d) Samin
Answer:
(b) Siddum and Kanku
Question 8.
Birsa Munda raised a flag as a symbol of Birsa Raj. The colour of this flag was
(a) red
(b) blue
(c) white
(d) green
Answer:
(c) white
B. Match the following.
| 1. Zamindars | (a) Support to the cause of peasants |
| 2. Van Gujjars | (b) Direct settlement between government and Ryots |
| 3. Bar Manik Dalhousie | (c) New class of landlords |
| 4. Ryotwari System | (d) Khasi leader |
| 5. Kisan Sabhas | (e) Punjab hills |
Answer:
| 1. Zamindars | (c) New class of landlords |
| 2. Van Gujjars | (e) Punjab hills |
| 3. Bar Manik Dalhousie | (d) Khasi leader |
| 4. Ryotwari System | (b) Direct settlement between government and Ryots |
| 5. Kisan Sabhas | (a) Support to the cause of peasants |
C. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What is meant by the word ‘Mahal?
Answer:
A group of villages was called mahal.
Question 2.
Who introduced the Ryotwari system in Madras?
Answer:
Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari system in Madras.
Question 3.
Give another name for Zamindari System.
Answer:
Another name for Zamindari System was Permanent Settlement.
Question 4.
Name any two commercial crops that the company introduced in India.
Answer:
Indigo and Cotton.
Question 5.
Where were tea plantations introduced in India?
Answer:
Tea plantations were introduced in Assam, Bengal and South India.
Question 6.
Which regions of India were put under the Ryotwari System?
Answer:
Large parts of South and West India were put under the Ryotwari system.
Question 7.
How were the Zamindars empowered under the zamindari system?
Answer:
Under the Zamindari system, the zamindars had the power to evict any cultivator of the soil due to non-payment of revenue.
Question 8.
Under which system was the revenue directly collected from the cultivator?
Answer:
The revenue was directly collected from the cultivator under the Ryotwari System.
Question 9.
How was the Mahalwari system a curse for the peasants?
Answer:
This system made the life of the poor peasants very miserable. They could be evicted from land any time. Their exploitation at the hands of the moneylenders began.
Question 10.
Why did the British force the peasants to grow indigo plants?
Answer:
The British forced the peasants to grow indigo because it was in great demand in the textile industries of Britain.
Question 11.
Why did many Europeans set up sugar plantations in India?
Answer:
Many Europeans set up sugar plantations in India because demand of sugar was rising in the West.
Question 12.
Under whose leadership was the Oudh Kisan Sabha formed? When?
Answer:
The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1920.
Question 13.
Why did the Deccan riots turn violent in 1875?
Answer:
The Deccan riots turned violent in 1875 due to rural indebtedness.
Question 14.
Name the two tribal groups of India who lived by herding and rearing of animals.
Answer:
1. Van Gujjars of Punjab
2. Gaddis of Kulu
Question 15.
Why were the Britishers against shifting cultivation?
Answer:
The Britishers were against shifting cultivation because it was difficult to control.
Question 16.
How did the changes brought in the forest laws make the tribal life difficult?
Answer:
The tribals firmly believed that the forests belonged to them and they belonged to the forests. But the changes brought in the forest laws snatched their forests from them. Most of the forests were declared as the state property. As a result, many tribes had to move to other areas in search of livelihoods.
Question 17.
What work did the tribals get after leaving their forest homes?
Answer:
A large number of tribals got work in the tea plantations in far off areas. Many tribals were also recruited in factories and fields.
Question 18.
What was the cause that united many Khasi Chiefs against the English under the leadership of Bar Manik and Tirut Singh?
Answer:
The Construction of the road through their land united many Khasi Chiefs against the English under the leadership of Bar Manki and Tirut Singh.
Question 19.
What did Birsa Munda urge the people of his community?
Answer:
Birsa Munda urged the people of his community to work on their own land to earn their living. This would end all their sufferings.
Question 20.
When did the Birsa Movement come to an end? Why?
Answer:
The Birsa movement came to an end in 1900 because of his death.
Question 21.
Name the industries that developed at a fast rate.
Answer:
Cotton, jute, iron and steel industries.
Question 22.
Who in the pioneer figure behind the establishment of Tata Iron and Steel Company?
Answer:
Jamshetji Tata is the pioneer figure behind the establishment of Tata Iron and Steel Company.
D. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How did the British destroy the Indian cotton industry?
Answer:
(i) The British destroyed the Indian cotton to safeguard their own cotton industry. They imposed very heavy duty on Indian goods and promoted British machine made articles at cheaper rates and decreased the princely patronage.
(ii) They brought several changes in their trade policy which badly affected the Indian craftsmen and artisans. They were forced to give up their traditional livelihood.
(iii) The industrial revolution in Britain and other European countries was also responsible for deindustrialisation of India.
Question 2.
What was Ryotwari system? How were ryots on cultivators exploited under this system?
Answer:
Ryotwari system was one of the land revenue settlements introduced by the Britishers. Under this system, a direct settlement was established between the government and the ryots or the cultivators.
The revenue was directly collected from the cultivators and it was very high. The cultivators were forced to pay it (revenue) even when there were no crops due to floods, droughts or any other natural calamity.
Question 3.
Mention any three causes that resulted in revolts by farmers.
Answer:
The repression and exploitation of the Indian farmers at the hands of the Britishers resulted in revolts. These causes are given below.
(i) The land revenue settlements and their administration were very oppressive. These made the life of the poor peasants very miserable.
(ii) Economic exploitation, especially of the rural masses created widespread resentment among them.
(iii) Long standing loans and indebtedness only added miseries to the farmer’s life. They could not tolerate these atrocities and turned violent in different parts of India.
Question 4.
Distinguish between the Mahalwari and Ryotwari systems of land revenue. (DAV Board)
Answer:
(i) The Mahalwari system was introduced in 1822 in Gangetic Valley, North-West provinces, Central India and Punjab. But the Ryotwari system was introduced in 1820 in South and West of India.
(ii) Under the Mahalwari system, a settlement was made collectively, with a group of villages called mahal. In the Ryotwari system, a direct settlement was made between the government and the ryots or cultivators.
(iii) Under the Mahalwari system, the villagers were jointly responsible for the payment of land revenue. In the Ryotwari system, the revenue was directly collected from the cultivator.
Question 5.
How were the Santhals of Hazaribagh exploited by the East India Company?
Answer:
(i) The Santhals of Hazaribagh reared silkworms for the production of cocoons. When the demand for Indian silk increased in Europe, efforts were made to encourage silk production.
(ii) The traders dealing in silk, their agents and many middlemen approached the growers. They gave them cash loans and collected cocoons from them.
(iii) They paid ₹ 3/- for one thousand cocoons and then sold them at five times more. When the tribal groups came to know of the reality, they were shocked. They saw the traders as their main enemies.
Question 6.
Why did the Santhals of Hazaribagh revolt against the Britishers? Give three reasons.
Answer:
The Santhals of Hazaribagh revolted against the Britishers for the following reasons:
- They found themselves helpless against the ruthless exploitation and oppression of the traders and the middlemen.
- They were expecting the British government to guard their interests. But the government did nothing.
- In extreme frustration and anger, they revolted against the government in 1855 to 1856 under the leadership of Siddim and Karhu.
E. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Mention two steps taken by the British to collect taxes in the rural areas.
Answer:
The British started Zamindari and Mahalwari ststems to collect taxes in the rural areas:
Zamindari System: ZamincLari was a hereditary right of the zamindars under the Permanent Settlement of the Zamindari Bandobast. They were made the owners of the land and were forced to pay 89% of the total revenue to the British government. Their own share was 11%.
Question 2.
Give an assessment of the rebellions by tribals different parts of India. Also give their conseuences.
Answer:
The unjust policies of the British resulted in rebellions by tribals in different parts of India.
(i) The Khasis of the Khasi hills of north-west Assam revolted in 1829. The construction of a road through their land united many Khari Chiefs against the English under the leadership of Bar Manik and Tirut Singh. But the British suppressed their rebellion.
(ii) The Kulcas of hilly regions of Manipur and Tripura kept on attracting the British territories from 1829. But they had to surrender in 1850.
(iii) The Khonds of Khondmals near Odisha revolted against the British in 1846 due to the fear of being annexed. But they had to bow before the Britishers.
(iv) The Santhals of Hazaribagh were being oppressed by the traders and the middlemen. They were expecting the British government to safeguard their interests. When nothing was done, they revolted against the Britishers in 1855 to 1856 under the leadership of Siddim and Kanhu.
(v) The Mundas of Chhotanagpur revolted in 1831 because of the ever growing exploitation by the merchants and the moneylenders.
Question 3.
Describe the impact that the British policies had on the life of the tribal people in India. (DAV 2013)
Answer:
The British rule badly affected the life of the tribals:
- Almost every tribe had a tribal chief. But under the British rule, the chief lost all power and were forced to follow the laws made by the British officers in India.
- The Britishers did not like shifting cultivation. When the tribals forced them to allow them to continue this system, they (Britishers) made several changes in the forest laws which made the tribal life very difficult. Most of the forests were declared as the state property. Many tribals had to move to other areas in search of livelihood.
- During the nineteenth century, when the demand for the forest produce increased, the traders and the moneylenders took advantage of the situation. They went to the tribals and offered them cash loans. They also asked them to work on wages. By offering cash loans they trapped the innocent tribals in their net which proved veiy oppressive.
- Many tribals were out of work. A large number of them were recruited through contractors to work in the tea plantations in far off areas of Assam. They were paid low wages and were not allowed to go back home. Many tribals were also recruited in factories and fields to work under very harsh conditions. (Any three)
Question 4.
Who was Birsa Munda? How did he unite the tribals to revolt against the British? What was his main contribution? (DAV 2013)
Answer:
(i) Birsa was bom in the 1870s in a family of Mandas, a tribal group that lived in Chhotanagpur. He grew up around the forests of Bohanda. He took great interest in the sermons of missionaries because they inspired the Mandas to attain their lost rights.
(ii) In 1895, he emerged as a hero of tribals. He urged them to work on their land to earn their living. This would end all their sufferings.
(iii) In popularity of Birsa Munda increased with the passage of time. He told his people that land policies of the British were destroying their traditional land system.
(iv) Birsa was jailed for two years but on his release, he instigated the tribals to attack zamindars. He raised the white flag as a symbol of Birsa Raj.
(v) Birsa Munda spread awareness among his communities. He showed them the right path and inspired them to raise voice against the British exploitation.
Map Skill
On an outline political map of India, mark the location of the following tribal communities in India:
(a) Van Gujjars
(b) Gaddis
(c) Gonds
(d) Santhals
(e) Mundas
(f) Khonds
(g) Khasis
Answer:
