Below are key points based on the class 8 history chapter 4, “Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age” of the NCERT book.
- 1895: Birsa Munda begins his movement in Jharkhand
- 1831-32: Kol Rebellion against British rule
- 1855: Santhal Rebellion challenges British authority
- 1910: Bastar Rebellion in central India
- 1940: Warli Revolt in Maharashtra
- Jhum Cultivation: Practiced by tribal communities
- British Forest Acts: Restricted tribal rights in forests
- Shift to Settled Cultivation: Among tribes like Mundas
- Changes for Tribal Chiefs: Loss of power under British
- Exploitation by Traders: Tribals faced with unfair trade practices
- Forced Labour: Tribals coerced into working for landlords
- Land Alienation: Tribals lost land to landlords and moneylenders
- Revolt of Songram Sangma: 1906 in Assam
- Forest Satyagraha: 1930s in the Central Provinces
- Birsa Munda’s Death: 1900, movement’s significance in protecting tribal lands
These points summarize crucial aspects of tribal life and resistance against British colonial policies. It focuses on significant dates, figures, and events for exam preparation. Don’t miss our other MCQ questions for Class 8 History.
MCQ Questions and Answers for Class 8 History Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
Question 1. What was a common method of cultivation practiced by tribal people in India?
a) Terrace farming
b) Jhum cultivation
c) Intensive farming
d) Commercial farming
Answer:
b) Jhum cultivation — Jhum cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation, was commonly practiced by tribal people.
Question 2. Which tribe is associated with Birsa Munda?
a) Santhals
b) Gonds
c) Mundas
d) Oraons
Answer:
c) Mundas — Birsa Munda was associated with the Munda tribe.
Question 3. What was the main reason for tribal discontent during British rule?
a) Industrialization
b) Educational reforms
c) Land policies
d) Urbanization
Answer:
c) Land policies
Question 4. Who were considered ‘Dikus’ by the tribals?
a) British officials
b) Tribal leaders
c) Outsiders and traders
d) Religious preachers
Answer:
c) Outsiders and traders — ‘Dikus’ referred to outsiders, including traders and moneylenders, seen as oppressive.
Question 5. What was a significant impact of the British forest laws on tribals?
a) Improved agricultural techniques
b) Loss of hunting grounds
c) Better housing facilities
d) Increased educational opportunities
Answer:
b) Loss of hunting grounds
Question 6. What role did Birsa Munda play in tribal history?
a) A British collaborator
b) A religious reformer
c) A tribal leader and freedom fighter
d) A trader
Answer:
c) A tribal leader and freedom fighter — Birsa Munda was a key tribal leader and freedom fighter.
Question 7. How did colonial rule affect tribal chiefs?
a) Increased their power
b) Reduced their influence and control
c) Provided them with modern amenities
d) Helped in spreading education
Answer:
b) Reduced their influence and control
Question 8. What was the main source of livelihood for many tribal groups?
a) Service in British administration
b) Trade and commerce
c) Hunting and gathering
d) Textile production
Answer:
c) Hunting and gathering
Question 9. What effect did the introduction of forest laws have on tribal livelihoods?
a) It led to an increase in agricultural production.
b) It restricted their access to forests, affecting their traditional livelihoods.
c) It improved their economic status.
d) It had no significant impact.
Answer:
b) It restricted their access to forests, affecting their traditional livelihoods
Question 10. What was the reaction of tribal groups to the introduction of forest laws?
a) Complete acceptance
b) Passive resistance
c) Adaptation to new trades
d) Open rebellion and defiance
Answer:
d) Open rebellion and defiance — Many tribal groups reacted against the colonial forest laws through open rebellion and defiance.
Question 11. What was the impact of British forest laws on tribal hunting?
a) It promoted hunting as a sport.
b) It had no significant impact.
c) It restricted tribal hunting practices.
d) It improved hunting techniques.
Answer:
c) It restricted tribal hunting practices — British forest laws severely restricted the traditional hunting practices of tribal communities.
Question 12. Which tribe was associated with the Silk Trade during British rule?
a) Santhals
b) Gonds
c) Baigas
d) Mundas
Answer:
a) Santhals — The Santhals were associated with the silk trade, particularly in rearing cocoons.
Question 13. What was the main livelihood of the Van Gujjars?
a) Agriculture
b) Silk weaving
c) Cattle herding
d) Fishing
Answer:
c) Cattle herding — The Van Gujjars were primarily involved in cattle herding.
Question 14. How did the British describe the tribal people?
a) Educated and civilised
b) Wild and savage
c) Wealthy and powerful
d) Skilled artisans
Answer:
b) Wild and savage — The British described tribal people as ‘wild and savage’.
Question 15. What change did the British introduce for jhum cultivators?
a) Encouraged jhum cultivation
b) Introduced industrial farming
c) Attempted to settle them as peasant cultivators
d) Provided modern agricultural tools
Answer:
c) Attempted to settle them as peasant cultivators — The British tried to settle jhum cultivators as peasant cultivators.
Question 16. What was the role of tribal chiefs under colonial rule?
a) Increased military power
b) They became British officials
c) Reduced administrative power and control
d) They led educational reforms
Answer:
c) Reduced administrative power and control — Under British rule, tribal chiefs saw a significant reduction in their administrative power and control.
Question 17. What was Birsa Munda’s vision for his community?
a) Complete assimilation into British culture
b) A return to a ‘golden age’ of tribal autonomy and prosperity
c) Migration to urban areas for better opportunities
d) Adoption of modern agricultural practices
Answer:
b) A return to a ‘golden age’ of tribal autonomy and prosperity
Question 18. What led to the spread of debt and poverty among tribals during British rule?
a) Industrialization
b) Trade and commerce with high interest rates and unfair practices
c) Agricultural failures
d) Lack of education
Answer:
b) Trade and commerce with high interest rates and unfair practices
Question 19. What was the main challenge faced by tribals working in coal mines?
a) Low wages
b) Dangerous and unhealthy working conditions
c) Language barriers
d) Long working hours
Answer:
b) Dangerous and unhealthy working conditions — Tribals working in coal mines faced extremely dangerous and unhealthy working conditions.
Question 20. What was the reaction of tribal groups to the new forest laws?
a) They readily adapted to the new laws.
b) They protested and rebelled against these laws.
c) They sought legal recourse.
d) They migrated to urban areas.
Answer:
b) They protested and rebelled against these laws
Match the columns for Class 8 History Chapter 4
Unmatched Columns (Questions)
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Jhum Cultivation | (a) Tribal leader who led an uprising |
| (ii) Birsa Munda | (b) Shifting cultivation practiced by tribes |
| (iii) Impact of British Policies | (c) Changes in tribal lifestyle and land use |
| (iv) Dikus | (d) Non-tribal people, viewed as outsiders |
| (v) Forest Laws | (e) Restrictions on forest access for tribes |
| (vi) Traditional Tribal Society | (f) Community-based, egalitarian structure |
Matched Columns (Answers)
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Jhum Cultivation | (b) Shifting cultivation practiced by tribes |
| (ii) Birsa Munda | (a) Tribal leader who led an uprising |
| (iii) Impact of British Policies | (c) Changes in tribal lifestyle and land use |
| (iv) Dikus | (d) Non-tribal people, viewed as outsiders |
| (v) Forest Laws | (e) Restrictions on forest access for tribes |
| (vi) Traditional Tribal Society | (f) Community-based, egalitarian structure |
Fill in the Blanks Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
1. Birsa declared that God had appointed him to save his people from trouble and free them from the slavery of ___.
Answer:
dikus (outsiders)
2. By the nineteenth century, some tribal people practised ___ cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation.
Answer:
jhum
3. The Khonds were a community living in the forests of Orissa and they regularly went out on ___ hunts.
Answer:
collective
4. Some tribal groups lived by herding and rearing animals; they were known as ___.
Answer:
pastoralists
5. The British extended their control over all forests and declared that forests were ___ property.
Answer:
state
6. In some regions, the Forest Department established ___ villages to ensure a regular supply of cheap labour.
Answer:
forest
7. Traders dealing in silk gave loans to the tribal people and collected the ___.
Answer:
cocoons
8. In the 1920s, about 50 percent of the miners in the Jharia and Raniganj coal mines of Bihar were ___.
Answer:
tribals
9. The British officials arrested Birsa in 1895, convicted him on charges of ___ and jailed him for two years.
Answer:
rioting
10. Birsa’s movement was aimed at reforming ___ society.
Answer:
tribal
11. The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as ___.
Answer:
broadcasting
12. Many tribal groups saw the market and the traders as their main ___.
Answer:
enemies
