Forest Society and Colonialism |Impact on Tribals MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This Class IX History quiz covers the Unit: Livelihoods, Economies and Societies, focusing on the topic of Forest Society and Colonialism. Key areas include forest laws, the impact on tribals, and resistance movements. Complete the 10 MCQs below to test your knowledge, submit your answers to see the result, and download the answer key PDF for revision.
Overview: Forest Society and Colonialism
The chapter “Forest Society and Colonialism” in Class 9 History explores how colonial rule affected the forests of India and Java. The British administration introduced new laws and management systems to secure timber for railways and the navy, fundamentally altering the lives of tribal communities and forest dwellers.
Key Concepts
- Scientific Forestry: Introduced by Dietrich Brandis, this system involved cutting down natural forests and planting one type of tree in straight rows (plantations).
- Forest Acts (1865, 1878, 1927): These laws categorized forests and restricted the rights of local people to graze cattle, collect wood, or hunt.
- Shifting Cultivation: Also known as Swidden agriculture (e.g., Jhum, Bewar, Podu), this practice was banned by the British as they considered it harmful to timber production and difficult to tax.
- Railway Expansion: The demand for railway sleepers led to massive deforestation in India during the colonial period.
Categories of Forests (1878 Act)
| Category | Description | Rights of Villagers |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved Forests | Best quality timber forests. | Villagers could not take anything, strictly prohibited. |
| Protected Forests | Forests monitored by the department. | Villagers had some rights but with severe restrictions. |
| Village Forests | Forests assigned to villages. | Managed by village communities for personal use. |
Tribal Resistance
The strict forest laws led to several rebellions across India. A notable uprising occurred in Bastar in 1910, led by Gunda Dhur, against the reservation of forests. Similarly, in Java, Surontiko Samin challenged the Dutch ownership of forests.
Quick Revision List
- Dietrich Brandis: First Inspector General of Forests in India.
- 1906: Imperial Forest Research Institute set up in Dehradun.
- Sleepers: Wooden planks laid across railway tracks.
- Forest Villages: Small villages allowed to stay in reserved forests on the condition they provided free labor.
Extra Practice Questions
- What was the main reason for the expansion of railways in India?
- Define “Scientific Forestry”.
- Name two communities involved in the Bastar rebellion.
- Why did the British consider shifting cultivation dangerous?
- Who were the Kalangs of Java?
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