Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age – Very Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8
Social Science
History - Chapter 4
Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age — 50 Very Short Answer Questions
CBSE Board Examinations — Quick Instructions
- Answer briefly and directly for 1–2 mark questions using NCERT phrasing.
- Include one short example or a defining phrase where helpful.
- Time management: practise answering these in under 30 seconds each for quick revision.
Content Bank — Key Topics
Tribal life
Shifting cultivation, commons, customary rules
Diku
Meaning of outsider — moneylenders, officials, traders
Colonial changes
Forest laws, land settlements, markets
Revolts
Santhal, Kol, Munda (Birsa Munda)
Topic 1: Tribal life before British rule
1. What is shifting cultivation?
A farming method where forest is cleared, cultivated for a few years, then left fallow and moved to a new patch.
2. What are commons?
Common lands like forests and grazing grounds used collectively by the community.
3. Name one livelihood activity of tribal communities.
Hunting, gathering, or small-scale farming (shifting cultivation).
4. How was land often viewed in tribal societies?
Land and forests were seen as community resources, not privately owned property.
5. Give one feature of tribal social organisation.
Strong clan or kinship ties and local councils or elders for decision-making.
6. What role did nature and rituals play?
Religious practices and rituals were closely linked to nature, seasons and local deities.
7. Why was mobility important in tribal life?
Mobility allowed shifting cultivation, seasonal foraging and adapting to resource availability.
8. How did tribal communities resolve disputes?
Through customary councils, elders or community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.
Topic 2: 'Diku' — Outsiders and their role
9. What does the word 'diku' mean?
'Diku' is a tribal term for outsiders like moneylenders, traders or colonial officials.
10. Name one kind of 'diku' who affected tribal life.
Moneylenders, traders, missionaries, or British officials.
11. How did moneylenders change tribal economies?
They introduced credit at interest, which could lead to indebtedness and land loss.
12. What effect did traders have on tribal life?
Traders linked tribes to markets, encouraging sale of produce and dependence on money economy.
13. How did missionaries influence some tribal areas?
They sometimes converted people and affected cultural and social practices.
14. Why were British officials seen as 'dikus'?
Because they introduced unfamiliar laws, taxes and administrative systems disrupting customary practices.
15. Give one reason tribal people resisted 'dikus'.
To protect land, customs and autonomy from outsider interference.
Topic 3: Colonial changes and impact
16. What was the impact of forest laws on tribes?
Forest laws restricted access to forests and their resources, hurting livelihoods.
17. How did land surveys affect tribal rights?
Surveys formalised land ownership and often ignored customary collective rights.
18. What happened when common lands were enclosed?
People lost grazing and fuel sources and became more dependent on markets.
19. How did taxes affect tribals?
New taxes and revenue demands forced some to borrow and become indebted.
20. Name one economic change introduced by colonialism.
Commercialisation of agriculture and integration with market economy.
21. What was a consequence of increased market links?
Dependence on cash crops and vulnerability to price changes.
22. How did courts affect tribal customary laws?
Courts often did not recognise customary rights, favouring written legal claims instead.
23. Why did some tribals mortgage lands?
To raise cash for taxes, fines or subsistence during hard times.
Topic 4: Major tribal revolts
24. When did the Santhal rebellion occur?
The Santhal rebellion took place in 1855–1856.
25. Who were the leaders of the Santhal rebellion?
Sidhu and Kanhu were leaders of the Santhal rebellion.
26. What triggered the Santhal revolt?
Exploitative moneylenders, traders and land grab by outsiders triggered the revolt.
27. Name a tribal uprising other than Santhal.
Kol rebellions or the Munda uprising led by Birsa Munda.
28. Who was Birsa Munda?
Birsa Munda was a tribal leader who mobilised Mundas against land alienation around 1899–1900.
29. What were common demands in tribal revolts?
Restoration of land rights, protection of forests and respect for customs.
30. How did tribal revolts often express themselves?
Through attacks on moneylenders, zamindars, or officials and by reclaiming land or forests.
Topic 5: British response
31. How did the British usually respond to uprisings?
They often used military or police force to suppress uprisings.
32. Did the British ever investigate tribal grievances?
Yes, sometimes inquiries were ordered and minor concessions were made.
33. What legal tool did the British use to control forests?
Forest reservation and forest laws were used to control forest access.
34. Were reforms common after tribal revolts?
Major reforms were rare; only limited or temporary relief was usually provided.
35. How did suppression affect tribal communities?
Suppression led to loss of lives, imprisonment, and weakened organised resistance.
36. Give one administrative action the British took after revolts.
They sometimes reorganised administration or passed local regulations to strengthen control.
Topic 6: Impact and long-term consequences
37. What long-term economic effect did colonial rule have on many tribes?
Loss of land and resources led to poverty and marginalisation for many tribal communities.
38. How did revolts influence later politics?
They inspired regional political awareness and demands for rights in later movements.
39. What happened to customary rights over time?
Customary rights were eroded as colonial laws favoured documented ownership.
40. How did market integration change tribal life?
It shifted livelihoods towards cash crops and wage labour, reducing self-sufficiency.
41. Why is protecting commons important today?
Commons sustain livelihoods, biodiversity and resilience; protecting them supports tribal welfare.
Topic 7: Glossary & Quick Revision
42. Define 'tribal' in NCERT context.
A tribal refers to communities with distinct social, cultural and economic practices often relying on forests and customary laws.
43. Define 'shifting cultivation' in one line.
Clearing forest for cultivation for a few years and then moving to another patch when soil fertility declines.
44. What is a 'moneylender'?
A person who lends money at interest, often leading to indebtedness for borrowers.
45. Name one tip for answering 1–2 mark questions on this chapter.
Use NCERT phrases and give a concise definition or single-point answer.
46. Which tribal leader is associated with the Munda movement?
Birsa Munda is associated with the Munda movement around 1899–1900.
47. What should students remember about causes of revolts?
Remember land alienation, forest restrictions, exploitation by moneylenders and interference in customs as main causes.
48. How can students quickly revise this chapter?
Make short notes of key terms, dates and one example of a revolt for each cause.
49. Give one example of a primary source a student might find useful.
Contemporary accounts, government reports or letters describing a revolt or administration actions.
50. What is one concluding message from the chapter?
Colonial changes disrupted tribal life, but tribal resistance showed agency and the importance of protecting customary rights.
These Very Short Answer Questions and Answers are strictly NCERT-aligned for CBSE Class 8. Use them for quick revision, classroom quizzes, and last-minute preparation.