For which tribe, Damin-i-Koh was demarcated in the foothills of Rajmahal by 1832?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Santhals
The British failed to turn the Paharias of the Rajmahal hills into settled farmers, so they turned to the Santhals, who cleared forests and ploughed the land with vigour. The Santhals were given land in the foothills of Rajmahal, and by 1832 a large area was demarcated as Damin-i-Koh and declared to be the land of the Santhals. They were to live within it, practise plough agriculture and become settled peasants.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.2 The Santhals: Pioneer settlers … Having failed to subdue the Paharias and transform them into settled agriculturists, the British turned to the Santhals. The Paharias refused to cut forests, resisted touching the plough, and continued to be turbulent. The Santhals, by contrast, appeared to be ideal settlers, clearing forests and ploughing the land with vigour. The Santhals were given land and persuaded to settle in the foothills of Rajmahal. By 1832 a large area of land was demarcated as Damin-i-Koh. This was declared to be the land of the Santhals. They were to live within it, practise plough agriculture, and become settled peasants.…” |