In the winter of 1810-11 a colonial surveyor travels through the Rajmahal hills. The Paharias treat him with suspicion and distrust. Which of the following best explains their attitude?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Pacification campaigns and memories of brutal repression made every white man seem a threat
Option (1) They took him for a trader crossing their passes without paying the usual toll — Incorrect. Traders who paid the toll were protected by the Paharia chiefs; nothing links this official traveller with unpaid tolls.
Option (2) Pacification campaigns and memories of brutal repression made every white man seem a threat — Correct. Years of repression and pacification campaigns shaped how the Paharias saw the British. Every white man seemed to stand for a power taking away their forests, lands and way of life.
Option (3) Their chiefs, now paid an allowance by the Company, had told them to shun strangers — Incorrect. Chiefs who took allowances lost authority over their people, so they could not shape the community's attitude in this way.
Option (4) They feared he had come to stop the tribute the plains zamindars paid their chiefs — Incorrect. Tribute from zamindars belonged to the older negotiated peace, which had broken down well before 1810.
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