As lower hills were taken over by the Santhals, who receded deeper into the Rajmahal hills?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Paharias
The Paharias were the hill people of the Rajmahal hills, who lived by shifting cultivation with the hoe and by collecting forest produce. In the early nineteenth century the Santhals poured into the area, cleared the forests and ploughed the land. As the lower hills were taken over by Santhal settlers, the Paharias receded deeper into the hills. The struggle between the hoe and the plough was a long one.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.1 In the hills of Rajmahal … By this time in fact there were newer intimations of danger. Santhals were pouring into the area, clearing forests, cutting down timber, ploughing land and growing rice and cotton. As the lower hills were taken over by Santhal settlers, the Paharias receded deeper into the Rajmahal hills. If Paharia life was symbolised by the hoe, which they used for shifting cultivation, the settlers came to represent the power of the plough. The battle between the hoe and the plough was a long one.” |