Daman-i-Koh, in the foothills of Rajmahal hills, was declared to be the land of which of the following tribes?
Santhals
Understanding Daman-i-Koh and its Tribal Inhabitants
The question asks about the tribe associated with a specific area called Daman-i-Koh, located in the foothills of the Rajmahal hills.
Daman-i-Koh was a specific administrative area demarcated during the British colonial period in the early 19th century. Its purpose was to encourage settled agriculture and revenue generation in a region that was primarily inhabited by different tribal groups.
Who were the Santhals?
The Santhals are a large tribal group found in parts of India, including Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam, as well as in Bangladesh and Nepal. They are known for their agricultural practices.
Connecting Daman-i-Koh to the Santhals
Historical records indicate that the British administration encouraged the Santhals to settle in the Daman-i-Koh area starting around the 1830s. This region, previously covered by forests and inhabited by other groups like the Paharias, was offered to the Santhals on favorable terms. They were promised land for cultivation and a certain degree of autonomy, provided they cleared the forests and expanded cultivation. By 1832, a large area in the Rajmahal hills foothills was officially declared as Daman-i-Koh, the land of the Santhals.
The Santhals migrated into this area in large numbers and rapidly expanded cultivation, clearing forests and establishing villages. Their population in the region grew significantly.
Why the Santhals?
The British saw the Santhals as ideal for settled agriculture compared to the Paharias, who practiced shifting cultivation (jhum). Encouraging Santhal settlement helped the British expand settled agriculture, increase land under cultivation, and collect more revenue from the region.
Other Tribes Mentioned
- Gonds: A large tribal group primarily found in central India.
- Bhils: A large tribal group primarily found in western and central India.
- Paharias: Indigenous tribal groups inhabiting the Rajmahal hills themselves, who practiced shifting cultivation and faced conflicts with the incoming Santhals and the colonial administration.
Based on historical accounts, Daman-i-Koh was specifically demarcated and declared as the land for the Santhals.
Conclusion
Daman-i-Koh, situated in the foothills of the Rajmahal hills, was formally declared the land of the Santhals to promote settled agriculture and revenue collection by the British administration. This led to significant migration and settlement of the Santhals in the area.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Foot hills of Rajmahal hills |
| Declared As | Land of a specific tribe |
| Associated Tribe | Santhals |
| Period | Declared around 1832 |
| Purpose | Encourage settled agriculture, collect revenue |
Revision Table: Tribes and Regions
| Tribe | Associated Region(s) |
|---|---|
| Santhals | Daman-i-Koh (Rajmahal foothills), Chota Nagpur Plateau (parts) |
| Paharias | Rajmahal hills |
| Gonds | Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh etc.) |
| Bhils | Western & Central India (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc.) |
Additional Information: The Santhal Experience in Daman-i-Koh
The settlement of Santhals in Daman-i-Koh had significant consequences:
- Rapid Expansion: Santhals cleared vast areas for cultivation, increasing agricultural production.
- Conflict with Paharias: As Santhals expanded into areas traditionally used by Paharias for shifting cultivation and resources, conflicts arose between the two groups.
- Exploitation: Despite initial favourable terms, Santhals soon faced exploitation by landlords (zamindars) and moneylenders (mahajans) who charged high interest rates and manipulated accounts, leading to debt and loss of land.
- Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): The accumulated grievances against the British administration, landlords, and moneylenders culminated in a major uprising known as the Santhal Rebellion or Santhal Hul.
- Creation of Santhal Parganas: Following the rebellion, the British created a separate administrative unit called Santhal Parganas in 1857, acknowledging the unique issues of the region and the Santhals.
The declaration of Daman-i-Koh as the land of the Santhals was a pivotal event in the history of the region and its inhabitants, setting the stage for both economic changes and social conflict.
Important Questions from Colonialism and the Countryside
Which Government set up a commission of enquiry to investigate into the causes of the Deccan Riots?
Arrange the following in a chronological manner:
A. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal.
B. English East India Company acquires ‘Diwani’ of Bengal.
C. Santhal Revolt in Rajmahal hills.
D. First revenue settlement was started in Bombay Deccan.
E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
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 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.
Which of the following is false?
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 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.
Buchanan's survey gives glimpses of hill folks during which century?
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 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.
Who were the 'hill folk' referred in the passage above?
