NCERT FOLDER Intext Questions 1 Each mile of railway track required between 1760 and 2000 sleepers. If one average sized tree yields 3 to 5 sleepers for a 3 metre wide broad gauge track, calculate approximately how many trees would have to be cut to lay ‘one mile of track. ‘Ans. Average number of sleepers required per mile 760 + 2000 = = 1880 sleepers ‘Average number of sleepers obtained from one tree =4 ‘Therefore, approximate number of trees to be cut = ee 470 tt 77 470 Kees 2 Ifyou were in the Government of India in 4862, responsible for supplying the railways with sleepers and fuel on such a large scale, what were the steps you would have taken? Ans. If] were in Government of India in 1862 and responsible for supplying the railway with sleepers and. fuel, I would have taken the following steps (9 In areas where trees are cut for making sleepers, plant similar nature of trees to those that are cut, so that the forest cover is maintained. (if) Try to increase coal mining and supply this to the railways as fuel instead of wood for running the steam engines. (iif) Limit che cutting of trces by the natives of the forest to only what they personally require and not allow them to trade in wood. (iv) Prevent poachers from entering the forests to cut ‘wood illegally. : Exercises Activities 1 Have there been changes in forest areas where you live? Find out what these changes are and why they have happened. Ans, There have been a number of changes in forest areas around my locality. These are as follows (i) Entry to Forest areas is restricted and the Forest Department has posted guards to check any illegal entry. (ii Although, the number of tres in the forest has increased, but reduction of rainfall in recent years has stunted the growth of trees. (iif) The Adivasi villagers living inside the forest areas are gradually leaving their traditional ‘occupations and migrating to the towns for education and jobs. (is) A number of wild animals like tigers and elephants are sometimes seen on the edges of the forest, but they do not venture out for fear of being killed by human beings. Earlier the tigers used to come into the nearby villages and take away animals and small children at night. (0) The smuggling of ivory and skin of tiger has been almost controlled. Questions 1 Discuss how the changes in forest management in the colonial period affected the following groups of people. (a) Shifting Cultivators (b) Nomadic and Pastoralist Communities (c) Firms trading in timber/forest Produce (d) Plantation Owners (e) Kings/British officials engaged in Shikar (hunting) ‘Ans. Effects of changes in forest management in colonial period are (@) Shifting Cultivators European foresters regarded shifting cul aml forthe fee The government banned shifting cultivation. Shifting cultivators were forcibly displaced many communities from their homes in the forests. Some had to change occupations, while some resisted through large and small rebellions. () Nomadic and Pastoralist Communities “The forest laws deprived people of their customary rights and that meant severe hardship for the Nomadic and Pastoralist communities.e social Science Clas. % 76 Alluon! the Maharaja of S308 0 A British NCERT| They could not cut wood for their house, could PRE Braze their cattle or collect fruits and roots. Hunting and fishing. became illegal Many Pastoralist and Nomadic communities like the Korava, Karacha and Yerukula of the Madeas Presidency lost thei livelihoods Some of the Nomadic communities began to b instead in factories, mines and plantations under Bovernment supervision, They were also recruited to work in plantations. Their wages were low and conditions of work were very bad. (0 Firms Trading in Timber/Forest Produce By the carly 19th century, oak forests in England were disappearing. This created a problem of timber supply for the Royal Navy. By the 1820s, search parties were sent ro explore the forest - resources in India. Trees were felled on a massive scale and large quantities of timber were being exporced from India. The Colonial Government took over the forests and gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates. The British Government gave many large European trading fies the soe right to trade in the forest products of particular areas. The government gave contracts to contractors, who cut trees indiscriminately and made huge profits, (@) Plantation Owners Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for ta, coffee and rubber plantations to ‘meet Europe's growing need for these commodities. The Colonial Government took over the forests and gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates. These areas were enclosed and cleared of forests and planted with tea or coffee. Communities like Santhals and Oraons from Jharkhand and Gonds from Chhatesgarh were recruited to work on tea plantation in Assam. Their wages were low and conditions of work were very bad. The plantation owners, under the protection and rights given by the British Government, made huge profits. (6) Kings/British Officials Engaged in Shikar or Hunting ; Under colonial rule, the scale of hunting increased to such an extent that various species became almost extinct. The British saw large animals as signs ofa wild, primitive and savage society: They believed that by killing dangerous animals, che British would civilise India The British gave rewards forthe killing of gers ‘and other large animals on the grounds oda threat to cultivators. wolves thar they pose ‘Ans, Forest manage ar oP Yale killed 400 tiger, £21150000 leopards and 209g 00 ted reward between 1875. rity, certain aeas ofthe fore for hunting. ere reserved ' w ination, this qUeStION vA ney Note reas, ani is one OF HO SUb-par yt a sted Over 8001 Sit tween colonial the similarities bet , re ment of the forests in Bastar and Java ro cement of Bastar in India was inthe Fore the British and in Java, ie was in the hang of the Dutch, The similarities between these two are as follows (9 The Dutch, like the British, wanted timber to buiy ships and to make sleepers for railway tacks (ii) Both the British and the Durch enacted forest laws to control the forests and put restrictions oy the customary rights of the local people. They ‘were prevented from entering the forests, they could not graze cattle or cut wood or take forest produce without permission. (iii) The British and the Dutch intioduced scientific forestry. Both the governments banned shifting cultivation, (ie) Some villagers in Bastar were allowed to stay in the forests on the condition thae their people would provide free labour for the Forest Department in cutting and transportation of tea and provecting the forests from fire. Similarly in Java, the Dutch imposed rents on te cultivated land in the forests. Some villages were exempted if they collectively provided free labout and buffaloes for cutting and transporting timbe This system was known as che ‘Blandongdiensen System (©) When the exploitation by the British in Bastarand the Dutch ee became too much, the forest communities in Bastar and Java revolted undet Gund Dhur and Suromke Sonia sec Bork abe uae Surontiko Samin respective pom’ vols were crushed by the colonial 3 Between 1880 and 1920, forest cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 milion hectare, from 108.6 million hectare to 98.9 Trillion hectare. Discuss the role of the follow factors in this decline. (a) Railways (©) Ship Building (©) Agricultural Expansion (0) Commercial Farming of Treessociety Ue ‘offee Plantations (0 Mavesis and Other Peasant Users (N ah wae hespreid of always fiom the 18505 created anew demand. Railways were essential for tconial ade and for the movement of imperial troops: To run locomotives, wood was needed fu and to lay ralay lines, sleepers were essen tohold the tacks together. Each mile of railway tack required between 1760 and 2000 sleepers. ee 1860s, the railway network capanded rapidly. As the length ofthe railway tracks expanded, a very large number of tees were ele. Aseaty a the 1850s, in the Madtas Presidency alone 35000 tees were cut annually for sleeper, Forests around the railway tracks started disappearing very fast. (0 Ship Building By the early 19th century, Oak forests in England were disappearing. This created a problem of timber supply from the Royal Navy. Engish ships could not be built without a regular supply of strong and durable timber. Imperial power could not be protected without ships. Therefore by the 1820s, search Parties were sent to explore the forest resources of India, Within a decade trees were being felled on a masive scale and vast quantities of timber were being exported, leading to disappearance of forests, (0 Agricultural Expansion As population increased, the demand for food ‘ent up. Peasants extended the boundaries of tivation by clearing forests. In the eatly 19th imu the colonial stare thought that the ores were unproductive. CY Were considered to be wilderness that had ‘ob: broughe under cultivation so, that the land Gould yield agricultural products and revenue and enhance the income of the state. Thus, between 1880 and 1920, cultivated area ted by 6.7 million hectares by clearing the ion The demand for commercial crops like Jt Sugar, wheat, cotton and raw material for lstties increased, erefore, ahivation in pl the British encouraged expansion of by clearing forests, leading to decline cover, Zoe (4) Commercial Farming of it commercial farming cae tad lots of differ lown. In their Planted in stra Plantation, natural forests which types of trees were cut Place one type of tres were ight rows . This is called a To promote plant fatming, different Lange areas of natural forests were a natural forests were also. cleared to Make way for ta, coffe and rubber planar. £0 meet Europe's growing need for thee planters at cheap rates. ‘These areas were ‘enclosed a1 and planted with tea or coffee Plantations wane large in area leading to loss of large foree area (A Adivasis and other Peasant Users Asin most part ofthe world, shifting cultivation vas done by the Adivasis and other peasant communities, in India also it was practised. In shifting cultivation, parts of the forest area are cut and burnt in rotation, Seeds were sown in the ashes after the firs monsoon rains and the crop was harvested by October-November. ‘When fertility decreased, the process was repeated at another location. This led to a large loss of forests. ind forests were cleared Note in the examination, this question will not be asked Completely, ony its one or two sub-parts willbe asked. 4 Why are the forests affected by wars? Ans. Forests are affected by wars because (9 Forest products are used for fulfilling various needs and requirements during war. In the ease of India, during the First World War and the Second World War, the Forest Department was cutting trees freely to meet British war needs. (ii) During the Second World War in Java just before the Japanese occupied the region, the Dutch followed a Scorched Earth Policy, destroying sawmills and burning huge piles of giant teak logs, so shat they did not fall into Japanese hands, (iif) The Japanese exploited the forests recklesly for their war industies, forcing villagers to cut down forests. Many villagers took this opportunity to expand cultivation in the forests. Thus, wars also led to destruction of forestsMultiple Choice Questions 1 Which of the following correctly define deforestation? ee (2) Te disappearance of forests ©) Unplanned cating of tees (€) Cutting tees for agriculture on (a) None of the asa * Ans. (a) The disappearance of forests 2 How much India’s landmass was under cultivation in 16007 (@) One-third (0) One-fourth () One-sixth, (@) One-tenth Ans. (6) One-sixth 3 Which transport system was most essential for colonial trade and movement of goods? (a) Roadways (6) Waterways (c) Railways (a) None of these Ans. (6) Railways 4 How many sleepers were required for each mile of railway track? (a) 1200 to 1500 (6) 2000 to 2200 Ans. (b) 1760 to 2000 5 Which act was passed in 1865? (a) Indian Forest Act (b) Tribal Rehabilitation Act (c) Forest Protection Act (a) None of these Ans. (2) Indian Forest Act 6 Where was the Imperial Forest Research Institute set up in 1906? fa) New Delhi (c) Dehradun Ans. (6) Dehradun 7 Which species of trees are suited for building ships () 1760 t0 2000 (a) None of these {b) Bombay (a) Mussoorie and railways? (a) Teak (&) Mahogany (c) Sal (4) Both (a) and (c) Ans, (d) Both (a) and (©) 8 What is local name of Madhuca indica? (a) Mahua (©) Deodar to Hyperion (Sethe Ans, (a) Mahua ried scooped-out gourd was used as i Pf) portable water bottle (d) None of these 9 In forest, (a) a utensil {c) container ‘Ans. (b) portable water bottle jective Type Questions eos are used for 1 Oils from the Mahe tos are use for Cae (3) Both (a ana) ‘Ans, (d) Both (a) and (0) : \s Bastar located 1 er Bont prt f chhatgarh (0) Northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh {c) Easternmost part of Chhattisgarh (a) None of the above ‘Ans. (a) Southernmost part of Chhattisgarh 12 Which tribal community (s) is/are living in Bastart (a) Maria and Muria Gonds (0) Dhurwas (6) Bhatras and Halbas (4) Allof the above Ans, (d) All ofthe above 13 What is common in different tribal communities of Bastar? (a) Customs (b) Beliets (6) Language (a) Both (a) and (6) Ans. (4) Both (@) and (b) 14 Inwhich year did the Bastar rebellion take place? (a) 1910 (b) 1912 (o) 1915 (a) 1920, Ans, (a) 1910 wore omc co ee eran oat (ui, i, i) (ci, (iy (@) (i, (ii, iy 16 Arrange in sequence (i) Imperial For Indian Fore Ue er ead cs mo me ) Indian Fox tu) Indian Forest Service was setup © Go, ts wiily and Colonialism 3 einsequence 1 anarpelion in the kingdom of Bastar 3 uprising ee prea of Indian railways Nan Forest Service was set up i orth (iv) id (a id. od ge wis ii), iv), watch the Following wo {at 7 eis — +p Dietrich Bran: . Revolutionary of Java 8, George Yule (&) Gid, Gi, (iy, (@) (i, Gi, Gi), ") 2. First Inspector General of Forests in India . Surantiko Samin | 3. British Administrators ABC A BC w32t ) 2 13 23. @ 12 3 Ans. (¢) Wt List 1 ‘A The Mataram kingdom of Java | 1. 170 split into two kingdoms | B. The Kalangas rose in rebellion | 2. 1865 against the Dutch G.Indian Forest Act introduced | 3.1755 Codes ABC A BC 312 () 2 13 @123 (a) 3 2 1 Ass, Pidure Based Questions 4 Name the system of cultivation and the “suntry which adopted the Baim, one (6 agg atts Teungya Cultivation dg, (Ang, tilting Cultivation My ga Shifting Cultivation “ma, Taungya Cultivation Taungya Cultivation a What docs the little fisherman carry? (@) Fishing net (©) Fishing rods Ans. (b) Bamboo trap Fill in the Blanks 22 The first Inspector General of forests in India was. (b) Bamboo trap (4) Fish stringer Ams. Diettich Brandis The Indian Forest Service was set up in........ Ans. in 1864 24 In........, Bastar kingdom was merged with Kanker kingdom and became Bastar district in Madhya Pradesh. Ans. 1947 25 In Central America, shifting cultivation is knownas .. Ans. Milpa 26 The Bastar revolt started in . Ans. 1910 Correct and Rewrite 27 The Imperial Forest Research Institute was setup at Dehradun in 1915 |Ans. The Imperial Forest Research Institute was set up at Dehradun in 1906. 28 Shifting cultivation is regarded as lading in South Africa and milpa in South America. ‘Ans. Shifting cultivation is regarded as lading in South-East Asia and Milpa in central America. 29 Baigas are a forest community of North India. ‘Ans. Baigas area forest community of Central India. es live in 30 A number of different communities Uttar Pradesh such as Maria and Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras and Halbas. a ‘Ans. number of ifferent communities ive in Basar 2s Maria and Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras Halbas. EXAM PRACTICEi 31 1n 1775, the Kalangs resisted by attacking a Dutch Fort at Joana, but the uprising was suppressed. ‘Ans, 1.1770, the Kalangs resisted by attacking a Dutch fort at Joana, but the uprising was suppressed. Assertion/Reason 32 Assertion (A) Many pastoralists and nomadic communities were labelled as ‘criminal tribes, Reason (R) Grazing and hunting in forests were restricted by the Britishers. Codes {@) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true, but Ris not the correct explanation of A (6) Aistrue, but Ris false (@) Ais false, but Ris true Ans. (b) Both A and R are true, but Ris not the correct explanation of A 33 Assertion (A) 6000 Kalanga families were equally divided between the two kingdoms. Reason (R) The Kalangas of Java were a Community of skilled forest cutters and shifting cultivations, Codes (2) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A (©) Both A and R are true, but Ris not the comect explanation of A (6) Ais true, but Ris false (4) Ais false, but Ris true ‘Ans, (a) Both A and R are true and R isthe correct explanation of A Allfnone Social Science Class 9}, Very Short Answer Questions 34 Name at least six items around you which come from forests. . Some items around me which come from forests ap. ans. poner in books, wood for desks and tables, dyes tha Colour my cloth, honey, coffe, ta, oil, tannin, ex 35 What were the wooden planks laid down across railway tracks to hold tracks in a position called? : Ans. ‘The wooden planks laid down across railway tracks to hold tracks in a position are called sleepers 36 How many sleepers were required for each mile of railway track? Ans. Each mile of railway track required between 1769 0 2000 sleepers. 37 How was Siadi creeper used for? ‘Ans. Siadi creeper was used to make ropes. 38 How many tigers were killed between 1875-1925? Ans. Over 80000 tigers were killed between 1875-1925, 39 When was Forest Act, 1865 amended? ‘Ans. Forest Act, 1865 was amended twice, once in 1878 and then in 1927. 4G When was Bastar divided into three districts? Ans. Bastar was divided into three districts, Kanker, Bastar and Dantewada in 1998, 41 From which tree, latex can be collected? Ans. Latex can be collected from a rubber tree. Short Answer (5A) Type Questions 1 What is Forestry? Ans. Forestry isa science and art of creating, managing, conserving and repairing forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner for human benefit. Forestry is practised in plantations and natural stands, systems that allows forests to continue a and services. The challenge of forestry isto create systems that are socially accepted while sustaini resource and any other resources that might be affected. EXAM PRACTICE The main goal of forestry is to create and implement sustainable provision of environmental supplies 2 Why did the Colonial Government start commercial forestry in India? Give any three reasons. Ans. The British Colonial Government seats i ‘overnment started commerti forestry in India due 0 falowing reasons () By the early 19th century, oak forests in England Were disappearing, The colonial government needed timber supply for the Royal navy and railways which were essential for the movement of imperial troops and commercial trade, (ii) The Colonial Government took ‘over the forests in India and gave vast areas to European plant at cheap rates, These areas were enclosed and planted with tea and coffee,Forest Society and Colonialism, 81 SSS (ip The Brish government was woried abou ese we forest yeaa pil ‘They needed trees that could rovide and sal tres were promoted by them. Tha M(t commercial forestry was started by the Bey Indian Forest Act was passed in 1865, 3 Explain any four ideas of Di the management of forests j British period. or Who was Dietrich Brandis? F; achievement in India. Ans, Diettich Brandis, a German expert, was appoi the first Inspector-General of Pores in Thal ned His ideas and achievement fo the management of forests are stated in the points below () He formulated new forest legislation and hel to establish research and trening innintions The Imperial Forest Research Institute at Dehradun was founded by him in 1906, (i) He set up the Indian Forest Service (IFS) in 1864 and helped to formulate the Indian Forest Act of 1865. (ii) He took an incerest in the forest flora of North-West and Central India and Indian trees. (iv) He was among the earliest expert in India to formally link forest protection with local people. 4 What were the defects of ‘Scientific Forestry’ technique? or Describe the defects in the techniques of ‘Scientific Forestry’ itishers and, lctrich Brandis for in India during the xplain his Ans, In 1906, the Imperial Forest Research Institute was set up at Dehradun and ‘Scientific Forestry’ was introduced in India. But ecologists believe that this system is not scientific at all and has many defects. These are ; (9 In this system, natural forest diversity was harmed because different types of trees were oe (ii) This system advocated only those trees in forests ahich provided timber. Ie snatched the different needs of forest dwellers. pedesot The forest dwellers wanted a mixture of species tees for theie fuel, fodder and food. a i jcal balance, as multi- (iif Iealso affected the ecological ul species forest gradually got converted into planet fting 5 What are the local names of shi cultivation in South East Asia, a America and Sri Lanka? Describe any features of shifting cultivation. Ans, Shifting cultivation is a traditional agriculeueal practice in many parts of Asia, Africa and South America thas different local names in different areas, viz. (2 In South-Fast Asia itis known as Lading. (Gi) In central America itis known as Mila (Gi) In Aftica ic is known as Chitemene or tavy (Go) In Sti Lanka itis known as Chena ‘The main features of shifting cultivation are () Pates of forest are cut and burnt in rotation. (Gi) Seeds are sown in the ashes after the first ‘monsoon rains and the erop is harvested by ‘October-November. (iii) A mixture of crops is grown on such plots for a couple of years and then left fallow for 12 to 18 years for the Forest to grow back. 6 Under colonial rule, why did the scale of hunting increase to such an extent that various species became almost extinct? Ans. Under British rule, the scale of hunting increased to such an extent that various species became almost extinct, The reasons behind this condition are (8 The British saw large animals as signs of a wild, primitive and savage society. (i) They believed that by killing dangerous animals the British would civilise India (iif) They gave rewards for the killing of tigers, wolves and other large animals on the grounds that they posed a threat co cultivators. (8) Over 80,000 tigers, 150,000 leopards and 200,000 wolves were killed for reward in the period 1875-1925. (0) Certain areas of forests were reserved for hunting, 7 Who were the Kalangs? Mention any four characteristics of this community. ‘Ans. ‘The Kalangs were a tribal community of Java. Their four characteristics are (A They were skilled forest cutters and shifting cultivators (ii) They had a great skill in building palaces (iid) They were so valuable that in 1755, when the Mararam kingdom of Java split, the 6000 Kalang families were equally divided between the two kingdoms. (is) The Kalangs worked, under the Dutch, when Durch began to gain control over the forests in the 18th century. EXAM PRACTICE‘Allnone Social Science Class 94, 82 eee = 8 Why were the Kalangs of Java known as a ‘Ang, OMMUnity of skilled forest cutters? ins. The Kalangs of Java known asa communiey of Milled or cae because oe (0 Without their expertise it was dificult for the king of Java to build their palaces. (4) They were so valuable to the king that in 1755 when the Mataram kingdom of Java split, the 6000 Kalang families were equally divided among the ewo kingdoms 9 What new developments have occurred in forestry in Asia and Africa in recent times? Ans. New developments which have occurred in Asia and Affica in recent times were (9 Asian and African Governments introduced social forestry and the policy of keeping forest ‘communities away from forests. Conservation of forests rather than collecting timber was their primary aim. (ii) In order to preserve the forests, the government realised that the involvement of people living near the forests is must Infact, across India from Mizoram to Kerala dense forests have survived only because villagers protected them in sacred groves known as Sarnas, Devarakudu, Kan, Rai, et (iid) Some villagers protected their own forest with each household taking ic in turns instead of leaving it to forest guards. 10 How did the rebellion of the people of Bastar take place against the British? Ans, The Rebellion took place inthe following ways (9 Initiative of Rebellion was taken by Dhurwas of the Kanger forest to organise people. Ie is said that many people protested under leadership of Gunda Dhur. (i They looted Bazaars, houses of officials and. traders, schools and police stations were burnt and robbed and grains were redistributed among the people. (Gii) They attacked anyone who were in some way ‘or other associated with colonial stare and its oppressive laws. 11 Who worked as plantation workers and what were the working conditions? Ans. ‘The British Government reeruited tribals like Santhals, Oraons (Jharkhand) and Gonds (Chawisgarh) as plantation workers. EXAM PRACTICE ion workers were condition of plantation wo igi Connseykers were getting IOW Wages. () Plantation Wo on a eet not receive any social security benef oo “They were nor allowed t0 g0t0 thei native pac The working miserable as the fo rai anand why aid the forests around railway 12 when or Mainappeating very fast? Explain, or Why did forests around railway tracks in India start disappearing after 18 ; ‘Ans. Due to following reasons forests stared disappearing sound railway tracks at shat ti lade ) By 1890, about 25,500 km of track had been ig 7 in 1946 the length of the tacks had Jncreaed to over 765,000 ki. (G9 As the railway tracks increased large numberof trees were cut down, (ii) The governmene gave out contracts to individu co supply the required quantity of woods. (io) These contractors began to cut tres indiscriminately. 13 What were the beliefs of people of Bastar? ‘Ans. There were different communities, viz, Maria and ‘Muria Gonds, Dhurwa, Bhatras and Halbas who lived in Bastar. All of them shared common beliefs and customs. Their belie were ( They believed that each village was given its land by the Earth. In return the villagers had to look after the Earth by making some offerings at each agricultural festival (i) The villagers believed and show respect to the spirits of the river, the forest and the mountain (iii) The villagers looked afterall the natural resources within the boundaries of their village as their duy. V4 “The ship industry of England was also responsible for deforestation in India”. Give one reason Ans. The ship industry of England was also responsible for deforestation in India because in the early 19th century, oak forests in England were disappearing due to the high demand, It created a problem of further timber supply for the Royal Navy of England which needed strong and durable timber o build ships. Asa result of this, the Britishers starred exploring, Indian forests for timber supply. Within a decade {tees were cut on a large scale from Indian Forests and exported to England. Gradually, Indian forests started disappearing due to large scale export of timber for building shipsforest Society and Colonialism a 83 15. ‘The expansion of cultivation is a sign of progress’, Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with arguments. or Explain any five reasons for the expansion of cultivation by the colonial rulers in India, ans. In the colonial period. cultivation expanded fora variety of reasons. These are ane rope, foodgrains were needed to feed the turban population. The demand for wheat increased largely in the 19th century. (9 The colonial rulers considered the expansion of cultivation as a sign of progress. (iii) The British government dircctly encouraged the production of commercial crops, ike jute, sugar, wheat and cotton to get more profit. {) Europe needed raw materials for industrial production, (2) In the early 19th century, the colonial state thought that forests were unproductive so forests hhad to be brought under cultivation and land could yield agricultural products and revenue. In this way, the income of the state enhanced. ‘Thus, it can be concluded that expansion of cultivation is a sign of progress. 16 Read the sources given below and answer the questions that follows : Source A New laws for the people of Bastar When the colonial government proposed to reserve two-thirds of the forest in 1905, and stop shifting cultivation, hunting and collection of forest produce, the people of Bastar were very worried. Some villages were allowed to stay on in the reserved forests on the condition that they ‘worked free for the forest department in cutting and transporting trees, and protecting the forest from fires. Subsequently, these came to be known as ‘forest villages’. People of other villages were displaced without any notice or compensation. For long, villagers had been suffering from increased land rents and frequent demands for free Jabour and goods by colonial officials. Then came the terrible famines, in 1899-1900 and again in 1907-1908. Reservations proved to be the last straw. () Evaluate the causes of suffering of the villagers of Bastar during the British rule. Source B Rebellion started in Bastar People began to gather and discuss these issues in their village councils, in bazaars and at festivals or wherever the headmen and priests of several villages were assembled, The initiative was taken by the Dhurwas of the Kanger forest, where reservation first took place. Although, there was no single leader, many people speak ‘of Gunda Dhut, ftom village Nethanar. as an important figure in the movement. In 1910, mango boughs, a lump of earth, chillies and arrows, began circulating between villages. ‘These were actually messages inviting villagers to rebel against the British, Every village contributed something to the rebellion expenses, Bazaars were looted, the houses of officials and traders, schools and police stations were burnt and robbed, and grain redistributed, Most of those who were attacked were in some ‘way associated with the colonial state and its oppressive laws. (ii) To what extent the messages which were sent to villagers to rebel against the British inspired the villagers. Source C Victory for the Rebels ‘The British sent troops to suppress the rebellion. ‘The adivasi leaders tried to negotiate, but the British surrounded their camps and fired upon them. After that they marched through the villages flogging and punishing those who had taken part in the rebellion. Most villages were deserted as people fled into the jungles. It took three months (February-May) for the British to regain control However, they never managed to capture Gunda Dhur. Ina major victory for the rebels, ‘work on reservation was temporarily suspended, and the area to be reserved was reduced to roughly half of that planned before 1910. (iii) The rebels were victorious even after they suppressed. Explain this in context of Bastar rebellion. . ‘Ans. (i) During the British rule, people of Bastar suffered from the folowing causes * Increased land rents. + Frequent demands for free labour and goods by colonial officals + Two terrible famines, one in 1899-1900 and another in 1907-1908. (ii) The messages that were sent to villagers of Bastar to rebel against the British include mango boughs, a lump of earth, chillies and arrows, etc. After getting these, people started to unite and revolt against the British in Bastar. (iii) The rebels were some how victorious because their leader Gunda Dhur was not captured and the Britishers forced ro suspend the work on reservation and the area to be reserved was reduced to half. EXAM PRACTICE