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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 4 – Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age aims to provide students with insightful solutions. Our subject matter experts have offered simple and accurate answers for the exercises in the history book “Our Pasts-III.”
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History, Chapter 4 – Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age are designed in an easy-to-understand manner to help students grasp the topics easily. Students can use these varieties of NCERT solutions and learn more about these interesting topics comprehensively.
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Important Questions and Answers in NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 4 “Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age.”
Let us look at NCERT Solutions Class 8 History Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age within the lesson. Our subject experts have answered these questions accurately and as per the latest guidelines of CBSE.
Q1. What is shifting cultivation, and which regions of India practice it? Ans. Shifting cultivation, also known as jhum cultivation, involves clearing small patches of land in forests, growing crops, and then moving to another patch of land once the soil becomes less fertile. It was practiced primarily in the hilly and forested regions of northeast and central India. Q2. How did tribal communities live during the 19th century? Ans. Tribal communities in the 19th century engaged in various activities such as hunting, gathering, agriculture, trade, and crafts. Their livelihoods were closely tied to their natural surroundings, including forests, rivers, and mountains. Q3. What was the significance of tribal chiefs before British rule? Ans. Before British rule, tribal chiefs held important positions, administering their territories and controlling land and forests. They had economic power and often set local rules for their communities. Q4. How did British policies affect shifting cultivators? Ans. British policies aimed to settle tribal groups and convert them into peasant cultivators, but this was challenging for shifting cultivators due to their reliance on forest land. Efforts to settle them were largely unsuccessful. Q5. What impact did colonial forest laws have on tribal communities? Ans. Colonial forest laws restricted tribal access to forests, affecting their traditional practices such as hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. Many tribes resisted these laws, leading to protests and rebellions. Q 6. How did traders and moneylenders exploit tribal communities? Ans. Traders and moneylenders exploited tribal communities by offering low prices for forest produce, providing loans with high-interest rates, and engaging in unfair trade practices, leading to debt and poverty among tribals. Q 7. What challenges did tribal workers face in industries like tea plantations and mining? Ans. Tribal workers in industries like tea plantations and mining faced low wages, exploitative working conditions, and restrictions on returning home. They were often recruited through contractors who paid them poorly and prevented them from leaving. Q 8. What resistance movements did tribal communities undertake against colonial rule? Ans. Tribal communities rebelled against colonial laws, taxes, and exploitation by traders and moneylenders. Examples include the Kols Rebellion, the Santhal Uprising, the Bastar Rebellion, and Warli Revolt. Q 9. Who was Birsa Munda, and what was his role in tribal resistance? Ans. Birsa Munda was a tribal leader who advocated for tribal rights and led a movement against colonial oppression. He mobilized followers to resist missionaries, moneylenders, and landlords, aiming to establish a Munda kingdom. Q 10. What was the significance of Birsa Munda’s movement? Ans. Birsa Munda’s movement prompted the colonial government to introduce laws protecting tribal land rights. It demonstrated the capacity of tribal people to resist injustice and express their grievances against colonial rule. |
Also Read: NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 1: How, When and Where
Let’s recall
| 1. Fill in the blanks a) The British described the tribal people as _________. b) The method of solving seeds in jhum cultivation is known as_______. c) The tribal chiefs got _________titles in central India under the British land settlements. d) Tribals went to work in the ________of Assam and the __________in Bihar. Answers: a) The British described the tribal people as wild and savage. b) The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as broadcasting. c) The tribal chiefs got land titles in central India under the British land settlements. d) Tribals went to work in the tea plantations of Assam and the coal mines in Bihar. |
| 2. State whether it is True or False: a) Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds. b) Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price. c) Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor, and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery. d) The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life. Answers: a) False – Jhum cultivators do not plough the land but clear small patches in forests for cultivation. b) True c) True d) False – The British did not want to preserve the tribal way of life, they aimed to settle tribes and convert them into peasant cultivators. This was primarily for easier control and revenue generation. |
Let’s discuss
| 3. What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule? Ans. Shifting cultivators faced several problems under British rule, which included restrictions on their traditional practice of shifting cultivation. The British aimed to settle tribal groups and convert them into peasant cultivators, which posed challenges for shifting cultivators who relied on moving from one patch of land to another. Additionally, forest laws imposed by the British restricted tribal access to forests, affecting their livelihood and traditional way of life. |
Also Read: NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory
| 4. How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule? Ans. Under colonial rule, the powers of tribal chiefs underwent significant changes. While tribal chiefs held important positions and administered their territories before British rule, their authority diminished under colonial administration. They were still allowed to retain land titles over clusters of villages and rent out lands, but they lost much of their administrative power. Instead, they were required to follow laws made by British officials in India, pay tribute to the British, and maintain discipline among tribal groups on behalf of the colonial authorities. |
| 5. What accounts for the anger of the tribals against the dikus? Ans. The anger of tribals against the dikus stemmed from various factors, including exploitation, economic hardships, and cultural intrusion. Dikus, referring to outsiders such as traders, moneylenders, missionaries, and Hindu landlords, often exploited tribal communities economically. They were offered low prices for forest produce, were charged high-interest rates on loans, and engaged in unfair trade practices. Additionally, dikus sought to impose their cultural values and beliefs on tribal communities, leading to resentment and resistance among 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? Ans. Birsa Munda envisioned a golden age characterized by honesty, agriculture, and community solidarity. He urged Mundas to give up harmful practices such as alcohol consumption and witchcraft, emphasizing purity and piety. Birsa´s vision appealed to the people of the region because it offered a sense of hope and identity amid colonial oppression. It resonated with their aspirations for autonomy, cultural preservation, and social justice, inspiring them to resist colonial rule and fight for their rights and dignity. |
Also Read: NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside
Let´s Do
8. Choose any tribal group living in India today. Find out about their customs and way of life, and how their lives have changed in the last 50 years. Ans. I have chosen The Santhal Tribe. Let us understand the costumes and the way of life, and how their lives have changed in the last 50 years. Custom and Way of Life: The Santal tribe, primarily residing in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam, have a rich cultural heritage. They are known for their vibrant music, dance, and festivals, such as Sohrai and Karma. Santhals traditionally follow animistic beliefs and worship spirits and ancestors. Their social structure is organized around clans, and they have a distinct language called Santali. Agriculture and handicrafts are essential parts of their economy, with Santals practicing both settled cultivation and shifting cultivation (jhum). They have a deep connection with nature and often live in close-knit communities. Changes in the last 50 years: Over the past five decades, the Santal tribe has experienced significant changes in their way of life. Urbanisation, industrialization, and modernization have influenced their traditional practices and livelihoods. Many Santals have migrated to urban areas in search of better opportunities, leading to changes in their social fabric and cultural practices. Further economic shifts have impacted their agricultural practices, with some Santals transitioning to wage labor or seeking alternative livelihoods. Additionally, changes in land ownership and government policies have affected their access to natural resources and traditional territories, leading to socio-economic challenges and cultural transformations within the community. |
Breakdown of Class 8 History Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age
Here is the summary of the chapter ¨From Trade To Territory The Company Establishes Power.¨ Students are advised to go through the points and breakdown once.
| Topic | Description |
| Shifting Cultivation Practice | Shifting cultivation, also known as jhum cultivation, was practiced by some people in India. |
| Livelihoods of Tribal Groups | Tribal communities across India engaged in diverse activities reflecting their adaptation to changing circumstances. |
| Jhum Cultivators | Some tribal groups practised shifting cultivation, clearing land in forests for cultivation, and moving after harvest. |
| Hunters and Gatherers | Many tribal groups survived by hunting animals and gathering forest produce for consumption and trade. |
| Herded Animals | Some tribal communities herded and reared animals for their livelihoods, moving with their herds according to seasonal changes. |
| Settled Cultivation | Some tribal groups transitioned from nomadic to settled agricultural practices, adopting ploughing and sowing seeds in rows. |
| Tribal Chiefs under British Rule | Tribal chiefs’ functions and powers changed significantly under British rule, with diminished administrative roles. |
| Impact of Colonial Rule on Tribal Lives | British rule brought significant changes to tribal communities, affecting their socio-economic and cultural dynamics. |
| Forest Laws and Tribal Lives | Changes in forest laws profoundly affected tribal lives, with restrictions leading to migration and labour supply to the Forest Department. |
| Tribal Resistance against Colonial Laws | Tribal groups resisted colonial forest laws, often disobeying regulations and engaging in open rebellion. | |
| Exploitation by Traders and Moneylenders | Tribal communities faced exploitation by traders and moneylenders, impacting their economic well-being. | |
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