CBSE Class 8 Social Science Tribals Dijus The vision of Golden Age Notes

TRIBALS, DIKUS AND THE VISION OF A GOLDEN AGE

COLONIALISM AND TRIBAL SOCIETIES

NEW WORDS :-

* Anthropology :- Study of human societies and customs.

* Fortress :- A small fort

* Geology :- Science related to earth's crust.

* Rebellion :- Organized open resistance of authority

* Tribe :- Subdivision of a race of people

 Meaning of a Tribe :-

A tribe is a group of people having certain common traditional characteristics. The characteristics are :-

* Every tribe has a particular name, for example, Gonds, Ahoms, Santhals, Goaros, Khasi, etc.

 Characteristics of Tribes :-

1. Members of a tribe live in the same geographical area.

2. Members of atribe have strong emotional ties.

3. Members of a tribe speak a common language and dialect.

4. Members of a tribe follow same rules regarding marriage and occupation.

5. Members of atribe have certain traditional restrictions.

6. Tribal people in general are non-vegetarian.

Different forms of Tribal Societies :-

(i) Hunters and food collectors.

(ii) Cattle Breeders

(iii) Cultivation

(iv) Factory workers

General Living Conditions of Tribes :-

1. They are very backward.

2. Majority of them depend on gathering food from the forests, breeding cattle and hunting.

3. They live in scarcity.

4. They are very poor and mostly in debt.

Social Problems :-

1. Most tribes practise what may be called reverse dowry. The male partner has to pay the bride's father.

2. Child marriages are common.

3. Tribal culture has been on the decline.

4. Tribal people face problems of communication when they come in contact with other people.

Tribal Development in India :- Important Steps

* Provisions in the Constitution for the welfare of tribal people.

* Reservations in Parliament and State Assemblies.

*Reservation in jobs.

Tribal Revolts at a Glance :-

*The peasants' and tribal revolts began in the late eighteenth century and were frequent throughout the nineteenth century. Among first was the Sanyasi Rebellion (1770), when as a result of a devastating famine, a large number of 'sanyasis' and 'fakirs', along with many village artisans – including the severely exploited silk weavers of bengal – and thousands of unemployed soldiers from the Mughal army, rebelled and fought against the British.

* In 1820–21, the Ho tribal peasants of Chhotanagpur in Bihar rose twice against the British rulers, the local money leaders and zamindars.

*The Oraons–another tribal community – rebelled in the years 1820, 1832 and again in 1890.

* To quell the ferocious Kol revolt of 1831–32, British troops were deployed from as far off places as calcutta, Danapur and Benaras.

* The Santhal uprising of 1855–57 was one of most widespread. Covering the states of Bihar, Orissa and Bengal, the Santhals were joined on many occasions by poor and landless peasants of lower castes.

* As many as 20,000 rebels ere massacred in a final battle against the British. The heoic struggle by the Mundas of Ranchi (1895) inspired folkloric visions of a new society.

British Policies towards Tribes :-

*The rule of the East India Company exercised a great influence on the economics, social and peaceful lives of the tribal people. The policies of the Company were formed and implemented in such a manner that the tribal people considered it a great danger to their very existence. The economic policies encouraged the zamindars, money-lenders and merchants to exploit the tribal people.

Major causes of Tribal Revolts :-

1. The East India Company introduced a new system of land settlement. This created great unrest among the tribals.

2. Plundering the Forest Wealth :- The tribal people in general depended upon the forest for their livelihood. The government activities tended to exercise a complete control over the forest wealth. This led to anger among the tribals.

3. Tyranny of the Landlords :- The landlords put heavy demands on the tribal people. They levied a variety of unfair and high taxes on them. The British encouraged the landlords to do so.

4. The Christian missionaries were also active in some of the tribal areas and sometimes created hostile feeling among the tribes.

5. The tribes mostly resented the instrusion of these outsiders in their society. Their resentement resulted in occasional violent outbursts against the British government called tribal revolts.

Tribal Revolts in Eastern India :-

1. In 1829, the Khasis, a primitive tribe inhabiting the hilly region in the north-west on the border of Assam revolted against the British.

2. The British desired to construct a road which passed through the lands of the Khasis. It was resented by the Khasis.

3. The Khasi chiefs numbering nearly thirty finally decided to turn out the British not only from the hills but also from the plains of Assam and organised themselves under Bar Manik.

4. The British suppressed it brutally, established a sort of economic blockade of the territory of Khasis and systematically burnt and plundered Khasi villages.

• The Nagas revolted against the British in 1849 and could be suppressed only in 1850-51.

• The Kukis who inhabited the Lushai hills and the hill region of Manipur and Tripura and engaged themselves in hunting, attacked the British territories in 1829, 1844 and 1849. They were finally forced to submit in 1850.

• The Khonds occupied a large tract of territory called Khondmals, neighbouring Orissa.

• They led a primitive life with their own social customs. They feared that the British would annex their lands and exact forced labour. Therefore, they revolted in 1846.

• The Santhals inhabiting the territory of Bihar adjoining Bengal revolted in 1855–56. Their main grievances were against the oppression of the mahajans and traders from Bengal and upper India who swarmed their territory and exploited them ruthlessly. But when they felt that the government did noting to safeguard their interest, they turned against it. They rose in revolt under the leadership of two brothers, Sido and Kanhu with a view to turn out the British from their territory and establish their own rule.

Tribal Revolts in Central India (Chota Nagpur) :-

1. Kolarian tribe of Chota Nagpur was ruled by petty chieftains. They did not like the encroachment of their territory by the British. One of them, the Raja of Oorahat resisted the British but was forced to pay annual tribute to the British. Yet his subjects, the Hos did not permit the British to enter their territory. They submitted only in 1827 when the British burnt several of their villages and killed a large number of Hos.

2. Mundas of Chota Nagpur revolted in 1831 and were joined by the Hos. The revolt spread over a large area including Ranchi, hazaribagh, Palamau and Manbhum. It could be suppressed only after extensive military operations in March 1832.

Birsa Munda was known as Bhagwan by its followers.

Birsa Munda occupies a distinguished position as a great promoter of tribal rights, a great patriot and a martyr. He made a valuable contribution to the Munda Movement in Chotanagpur.

Birsa Munda, the Architect of Munda Movement :-

Early Life of Munda :-

• Birsa was born at Ulihatu in Ranchi on November 15, 1875. He was named Birsa Munda according to Munda custom. The folk songs reflect popular confusion and refer to both Ulihatu and Chalked as his birth-place. His elder brother Komta Munda's house still exists in a dilapidated condition at Ulihatu.

• Birsa was born in a house built of a bamboo strips without a mud plaster or even a secure roof. His father was a cropsharer/peasant/ryot.

• Birsa had his lower primary schooling at a German Mission school. In his childhood. He grazed sheep in the forest. He became adept in playing the flute.

Tribal Revolts in North-East :-

1. The northeastern states of India occupy a distinctive place due to their geographical, historical, social, cultural and political features.

2. The tribal groups belong to different areas, speak different languages and have varied socio-cultural traditions.

3. Some of the popular movements in the north-east region under British rule were thosse of the Mishmis (in 1836);

• The Khampti rebellion in Assam between 1839-1844;

• The Lushais' revolt in 1842 and 1844, when they attacked villages in Manipur;

• The revolt of Syntengs of Jaintia hills in 1860-62;

• The revolt of Saflas in 1872-73;

• The uprising of the Kacha Nagas of Cachhar in 1882; and a women's war in manipur in 1904. In Meghalaya, the British government wanted to build up a strategic road linking Brahmaputra and Surma valley, which was only possible by taking control of Khasi hills.

• In 1917-19, the Kukis rose in rebellion under the leadership of Rani Gidenlieu for their rights.

• These movements of the north-east frontier tribes were different from the tribal revolts of central India.

• These movements were not forest based or agrarian revolts as t as these tribals were generally in control of land and forest area.

Revolts in other parts of India :-

• The Naikda forest tribe in Gujarat attacked a police station in 1868 with a view to eliminate the British and establish Dharma-raj. In 1900, in Vizagapatam Agency, a Konda Dora named Korra Mallaya claimed to be the incarnation of one of the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata and assured the people of turning out the British.

• The tribals Koya and Konda revolted against their overlord, who was under British protection. Their major revolt occured in 1879.

• The Bhils in Rajasthan fought for the establishment of a Bhil Raj in 1913. The Rampa region north of the Godavari river witnessed gurilla warfare between the English and semi-tribal inhabitants of the region under the leadership of Alluri Sitarama Raju from August 1922 to May 1924.

• Thus, a large number of tribal revolts took place during the British rule. The primary grievances of the tribal people almost at every place were interference in their cultural and economic lives by the people of the plains of the British.

TRIBAL,DIKUS AND A VISION OF A GOLDEN AGE

Q1. Who were the tribal?

Ans. Tribals are a group of people within a traditional society sharing customs and beliefs and led by a chief.

Q2. What were the features of tribal society?

Ans. The features of the tribal society are:

· Most tribes had customs and rituals laid down by Brahmans.

· These societies also did not have the sharp social divisions that were characteristics of caste societies.

· Al those who belonged to the same tribe thought of kinship (they belong to the same king). However, this did not mean that there was no social and economic difference within tribes.

Q 3. How did the traders and money lenders become important in tribal society?

Ans. Tribal groups often needed to buy and sell in order to be wage to get the goods that were not produced within the locality. This led to their dependence.

Q4. How did the tribal react against the forest laws?

1. Many tribal groups reacted against the colonial forest laws.

2. They disobeyed the new rules, continued with the practices that were declared illegal and at times rose in open rebellion such was the revolt of Sonogram Sangma in 1906 in Assam and the forest Satyagraha of the 1930’s in the Central Provinces.

Q5. What did Brisa movement aim at?

Ans. The aim of Brisa movement was that it wanted to drive out missionaries, money lenders, Hindu landlords and the government and set up a Munda Raj with Brisa at its head.

Q6. Mention the cultivation practiced by tribal groups. And how was it done?

1. Some of the tribal practiced jhum cultivation that is, shifting cultivation. This was done on small patches of land, mostly in forests. The cultivators cut the treetops to allow sunlight to reach the ground, and burnt the vegetation on the land to clear it for cultivation.

2. They spread the ash from the firing, which contained potash, to fertilize the soul. They used the axe to cut trees and the hoe to scratch the soil in order to prepare it for cultivation.

3. They broadcast the seeds, that is, scattered the seeds on the field instead of ploughing the land and sowing the seeds. Once the crop was ready and harvested, they moved to another field. A field that has been cultivated once was left fallow for several years. 

Q7. Why the British favour is settled cultivator over jhum cultivators?

1. The British favoured settled cultivators because the British were uncomfortable with groups who moved about and didn’t have a fixed home.

2. They wanted to settle down and become peasant cultivators was easier to control and administer them people who were always on the move.

3. The British also wanted a regular revenue source for the state; so they introduced land settlements – that is they measured the land and defined the rights of each individual to that land and fixed the revenue demand for the state.

Q8. Mention the various names of tribals.

Ans. The various names of tribals are:-

* Santhals

* Oraons

* Labadir

* Bakarwals

* Khonds

* Baiga

* Gaddir

* Van Gujjars.

Q9. Write a short note on silk growers.

Ans. In the 18th century, Indian silk was in demand in European markets. The fine quality of Indian silk was highly valued and exports from India increased rapidly. Santhals reared cocoons in Hazaribad. The silk growers cashed very little. Understandably, many tribal groups saw the market and the traders as their enemies.

Q10. What did Birsa means when he talked of a ‘Golden Age’?

Ans. Birsa meant by the ‘Golden Age’, a satyug (the age of truth). When Mundas lived a good life, constructed embankments, tapped natured springs, planted trees and orchards, practiced cultivation to earn their living. They did not kill their brothers and relatives. They lived honestly. Birsa also wanted people to once again work on their land, settle down and cultivate their fields.

Q11. Due to enactment of forest laws what problems did the British face and how did they overcomes this problem?

Ans. Problems Faced By Britishers:-

* Due to enactment of forest laws British stopped the tribal people from living forests, they faced problem.

* From where would the forest department get its labour to cut tries for railway sleeper and to transport logs.

Solution:-

* They decided they would give jhum cultivators small patches of land in forests.

* Allow them to cultivate these on the condition that those who live in the villages would have to provide labour to forest department and look after the forests.

* So in many regions forest Department established forest villages to ensure regular supply of cheap labour.

Q12. What were the problems faced by tribals during British rule?

* Before Britishers tribal people had tribal chiefs who were important and had certain amount of economic power and had their own police as well as rules at some places but they lost considerable when Britishers came.

* Britishers wanted that moving tribals groups should settle down and become peasant cultivators as settled tribes were easier to control.

* The Britishers tried to settle down jhum cultivation but they were unsuccessful.

* Some forest were said to be reserved forests which will provide material to British.

* The traders and money lenders started coming in forests wanting to buy forest products which caused problem.

Q13. Mention the various categories of tribal people.

* Jhum/ shifting cultivators who lived in North East and Central India.

* The herders and gatherers who lived in forests of Orissa.

* The pastoralists who moved with their herds of cattle or sheep according to seasons.

Example:-

* The VAN GUJJARS of the Punjab hills and habaddis of Andhra Pradesh were cattle – herders, the Gaddis of kulu were shepherd and Bagaryal of Kashmir hearded goats.

* Settled cultivators such as the Mundas of chhota Nagpur, Gonds and Santhals.

Q14. What were the results of tribal dependence on traders and money lenders?

1. Traders came around with kings for sale and sold the goods at high prices. Moneylenders gave loans with which the tribal met their cash needs, adding to what they earned.

2. The interest charged on the loans was visually very high. So, for the tribals, market and often meant debt and poverty.

3. They therefore came to see the money lender and trader as with outsides and the cause of their misery.

Q15. What problems did the shifting cultivators face under British rule?

* The tribal groups were directly connected to the forest so changes in forest laws had a considerable effect on tribal lives.

* The British extended their control over all forests and declared that forests were classified as reserved forests as they produced timber which the British wanted.

* In these forests people were not allowed to move freely, practise jhum cultivation, collect fruits or hunt animals.

* Therefore, the jhum cultivators couldn’t survive the situation. Many were forced to move to other areas in search of work and livelihood.

Q16. How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under the colonial rule?

* Before the arrival of the British, in many areas the tribal chiefs were important people. The enjoyed a certain amount of economic power and had the right to administer and control their territories.

* In some places they had their own police and decide on the local rules of land and forest management. Under British rule, the functions and powers of the tribal chiefs changed.

* They were allowed to keep their land titles over a cluster of villagers and rent out lands, but they lost much over their administrative power and were forced to follows laws made by British officials in India.

* They had to pay tribute to the British and discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British. They lost the authority they had earlier enjoyed amongst their people, and were unable to fulfill their traditional functions.

Q17. Write a short note on Birsa Munda. Why was the Birsa movement important in history?

* In 1885, a man named Birsa Munda was seemed roaming the forests and villages of Chhotanagpur in Bihar. He was born in a family of Munda.

* People said he had miraculous power as he could cure diseases and multiply grains.

* Birsa himself declared that God has appointed him to save his people from trouble, free them from slavery of Dikus (outsiders).

* Soon thousands began following Birsa from different tribes believing that he was ‘Bhagwan’ and had come to solve theirs problems.

Birsa movement was important in 2 ways:-

* It forced the colonial government to introduce laws so that the land of the tribals could not be easily taken over by Dikus.

* It should once again that the tribal people had the capacity to protest against injustice and express their own specific way, in renting their own rituals and symbols of struggles.