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?
Francis Buchanan was Governor-General of India from 1794-1815.
Understanding the Passage and Francis Buchanan
The question asks us to identify which statement is false based on the provided passage about Francis Buchanan and the hill folk he encountered. The passage talks about Buchanan's journal, his visit to hill folk in the early nineteenth century, and the nature of his writings.
Analysing the Statements
Let's examine each statement carefully in relation to the information given in the passage:
- Statement 1: Hill folks were not sure about Francis Buchanan's visit.
- The question itself asks, "Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit?". The word "apprehensive" suggests feeling anxious or fearful about something, which implies uncertainty or suspicion regarding the visit. Therefore, based on the question linked to the passage, it is plausible that the hill folk were not sure or felt apprehensive about the visit.
- Statement 2: Francis Buchanan was Governor-General of India from 1794-1815.
- The passage mentions Francis Buchanan wrote a journal based on his visits and encounters in the early nineteenth century. However, the passage does not provide any information about his position or rank, such as being a Governor-General. It certainly does not mention specific dates like 1794-1815 in relation to his role. This statement is not supported by the text provided.
- Statement 3: Francis Buchanan was a British surveyor who travelled through Rajmahal hills.
- The passage states that Buchanan visited places and encountered people ("these hill folk") in the early nineteenth century and wrote a journal about it. While the passage doesn't explicitly use the term "British surveyor" or mention "Rajmahal hills", the description of his activities (travelling, visiting places, encountering people, keeping a journal) is consistent with the work of a surveyor or someone conducting a survey in that era. The mention of "hill folk" in the early nineteenth century context in this region often relates to areas like the Rajmahal hills. However, strictly based on the passage, we can confirm he travelled and encountered people in the early 19th century, which aligns with the first part of this statement, even if "surveyor" and "Rajmahal hills" aren't explicitly stated.
- Statement 4: Francis Buchanan wrote a journal.
- The passage explicitly mentions "Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses..." and "His journal was written as a diary...". This statement is directly supported by the text.
Identifying the False Statement
Based on the analysis, Statement 4 is clearly true as stated in the passage. Statement 1 is strongly implied by the question associated with the passage (apprehension suggests uncertainty). Statement 3 is plausible and partially supported by the passage's description of his travels and encounters in the early 19th century. Statement 2, however, makes a specific historical claim about Francis Buchanan being a Governor-General during a particular period, which is entirely absent from and unsupported by the provided passage.
Therefore, the statement that is false based on the information presented in the passage is that Francis Buchanan was Governor-General of India from 1794-1815.
Revision Table: Key Information from Passage
| Subject | Information from Passage |
|---|---|
| Francis Buchanan | Wrote a journal; visited places; encountered people (hill folk); active in early nineteenth century. |
| Hill Folk | Encountered by Buchanan; apprehensive of his visit (implied by question). |
| Buchanan's Journal | Gives glimpses of hill folk; written as a diary of places visited, people encountered, practices seen; useful but doesn't answer all questions or cover long history. |
Additional Information: Francis Buchanan
Historically, Francis Buchanan (later known as Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, 1762–1829) was a Scottish physician, botanist, and geographer who worked for the British East India Company. He conducted extensive surveys and studies in various parts of India in the early 19th century, including regions with hill tribes like the Santals and Paharias. He was known for his detailed reports and journals documenting the geography, flora, fauna, and social practices of the areas he surveyed. He was never a Governor-General of India. The Governors-General during the period 1794-1815 included Sir John Shore (1793-1798) and Lord Wellesley (1798-1805), followed by Lord Cornwallis (briefly in 1805), Sir George Barlow (acting, 1805-1807), and Lord Minto (1807-1813), and finally Lord Moira (later Marquess of Hastings, from 1813).
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.
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?
Which Governor-General described the kingdom of Awadh as ‘a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day’?
