Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan's journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our minds but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that historians have to turn to other records.
Which of the following is not true about Buchanan's account?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Hill folks were paying a heavy revenue to the East India Company.
Option (1) It gives a glimpse of hill folks. — Correct statement. Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century.
Option (2) It raises questions in our minds. — Correct statement. The journal raises questions in our mind but does not always help us answer them.
Option (3) Hill folks were paying a heavy revenue to the East India Company. — Incorrect statement. The account says nothing about revenue paid by the hill folk. It tells of people who were hostile, apprehensive of officials and unwilling to talk to them.
Option (4) It’s about people he encountered. — Correct statement. The journal was a diary of places he visited, people he encountered and practices he saw.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 In the hills of Rajmahal … In the early nineteenth century, Buchanan travelled through the Rajmahal hills. From his description, the hills appeared impenetrable, a zone where few travellers ventured, an area that signified danger. Wherever he went, people were hostile, apprehensive of officials and unwilling to talk to them. In many instances they deserted their villages and absconded. Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan’s visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that historians have to turn to other records.…” |