NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 4: NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 4 helps students understand the chapter called "Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age." This chapter talks about how tribal societies in India interacted with outsiders, called 'dikus,' during colonial times.
The solutions give clear answers to questions in the chapter, following the CBSE curriculum. By using these solutions, students can learn about tribal life, the impact of British rule on them, and how they saw the world. These solutions also help students prepare for exams by practicing questions related to the chapter.NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 4 PDF
Exercises Page No. 37
1. Fill in the blanks:
(a) The British described the tribal people as ____________.
(b) The method of sowing 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.
Answer.
(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 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.
Answer.
(a) Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds – False (b) Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price – True (c) Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery – True (d) The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life – False3. What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
Answer .
The British faced challenges with shifting cultivators because they constantly moved in search of pasture lands. The British preferred them to settle down and become peasant cultivators instead. They believed it would be easier to control and manage peasant cultivators compared to shifting cultivators. Therefore, when the British company introduced the land revenue system, shifting cultivators encountered difficulties as their way of life clashed with the British vision for agricultural development and administration.4. How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?
Answer.
Under British rule, the roles and authority of tribal chiefs underwent significant changes. While they retained ownership of land titles spanning multiple villages and could lease out land, their administrative powers diminished substantially. Instead, they were required to abide by laws established by British officials in India. Tribal chiefs had to pay tribute to the British and maintain discipline among tribal groups on behalf of the colonial administration. Consequently, they lost the influence and authority they previously held within their communities and were unable to fulfill their traditional roles effectively.5. What accounts for the anger of the tribals against the dikus?
Answer.
The tribal communities harbored discontent towards the 'dikus,' or outsiders, who encroached upon their lands. Tribals preferred their traditional lifestyle as shifting cultivators rather than becoming peasant cultivators. However, the dikus sought to settle on tribal lands, pressuring them to sell or rent their lands at exorbitant rates. This led to dissatisfaction among the tribal population. Under British rule, tribal chiefs lost their administrative authority, further exacerbating tribal grievances. Eventually, the tribals were forcibly evicted from their lands, compelling them to seek alternative livelihoods. This displacement disrupted their way of life and further fueled resentment towards the dikus and colonial administration.6. What was Birsa’s vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a vision appealed to the people of the region?
Answer.
Birsa Munda envisioned a "golden age" where tribal lands would be free from the influence of outsiders, whom he referred to as 'dikus'. He believed this era would embody truth and justice. In Birsa's vision, tribal leaders, known as sirdars, would govern their communities independently, without external interference. He aspired for a society devoid of vices such as alcoholism, witchcraft, sorcery, and impurity. Birsa opposed the involvement of missionaries, Hindu landlords, moneylenders, traders, and Europeans in tribal affairs, advocating for self-rule and preservation of tribal culture and autonomy. His vision aimed to create a society where tribal communities could live according to their own values and traditions, free from external influences and exploitation.How Did Tribal Groups Live?
How Did Colonial Rule Affect Tribal Lives?
A Closer Look: Birsa Munda
