Understanding Damin-i-Koh and Community Settlements

The question asks about the specific community that the British Government settled in the area known as Damin-i-Koh. This historical event is significant in the context of British colonial rule and its impact on tribal communities in India.

What was Damin-i-Koh?

Damin-i-Koh was a large tract of land demarcated by the British in the early 1830s, specifically in the hilly areas of present-day Jharkhand (then part of the Bengal Presidency). The name roughly translates to 'Skirt of the hills'.

Why was Damin-i-Koh Created?

The British created the Damin-i-Koh primarily for economic reasons. They wanted to encourage agriculture and increase revenue collection from the region. They also aimed to control the movement and activities of the tribal people living in the hilly areas.

Which Community was Settled in Damin-i-Koh?

The British actively encouraged a particular community to settle in the Damin-i-Koh region and take up agriculture. This community was the Santhals.

• The Santhals were invited or encouraged to move into the area from different places.
• They were promised land and a settled life in exchange for clearing the forests and cultivating the land.
• This policy led to a significant increase in the Santhal population in the Damin-i-Koh region over time.
• The settlement aimed to convert the Santhals into settled agriculturalists, making them easier to govern and tax.

However, this settlement process also led to conflicts with other groups and eventually contributed to the famous Santhal Rebellion of 1855-56, as the Santhals faced exploitation from zamindars, moneylenders, and the colonial administration.

Analysis of Options

Let's look at the provided options:

• Santhals: As discussed, the Damin-i-Koh was specifically demarcated and developed to settle the Santhal community for agricultural expansion and revenue purposes. This aligns with historical records.
• Mundas: The Mundas are another significant tribal community of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. While they were affected by British policies and faced issues like the disruption of their traditional Munda 'khuntkatti' land system (joint ownership), the Damin-i-Koh was not primarily created for their settlement.
• Oraons: The Oraons, also a prominent tribal group in the region, faced similar challenges under colonial rule, including changes in land ownership patterns. However, the Damin-i-Koh initiative was focused on settling the Santhals.
• Saoras: The Saoras (also known as Savaras) are a tribal group primarily found in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, not typically associated with the Damin-i-Koh region in Jharkhand.

Based on historical evidence, the Damin-i-Koh was a specific project by the British aimed at settling the Santhals.

Conclusion

The Damin-i-Koh was created by the British Government primarily to settle the Santhal community, encouraging them to clear forests and cultivate land for revenue generation.

Revision Table: Damin-i-Koh Facts

Additional Information: Tribal Policies in British India

The British adopted various policies towards tribal communities across India, often driven by economic interests (like accessing forest resources, land revenue) and administrative control. These policies frequently disrupted traditional tribal ways of life, land systems, and governance structures, leading to numerous tribal uprisings.

• Policies included demarcating forests (leading to loss of tribal access), encouraging settled agriculture, imposing taxes, and introducing new legal systems.
• Different tribal groups like the Santhals, Mundas, Oraons, Gonds, Bhils, etc., reacted to these changes, sometimes through resistance and rebellions.
• The Damin-i-Koh initiative is a classic example of a British policy aimed at transforming a tribal community's lifestyle for colonial benefit.