Telangana SCERT Class 9 Social Studies Chapter 16 Solution – Impact of Colonialism in India. Here on this post we have provided Class 9 Social Studies Impact of Colonialism in India Telangana State Board Solution. Telangana State Board English Class IX Medium Students can download this Solution to Solve out Improve Your Learning Questions and Answers.
Telangana State Board Class 9 Social Studies Chapter 16 Impact of Colonialism in India Solution:
1.) How did people use the forests before the rule of the British? Why was there less danger of the forests being fully destroyed in those days?
Ans: For ages, Adivasis and villagers living in and near forests used to fulfill their basic needs and necessities from the forests. In a way, they were the owners of the forests. Before the British started ruling, they used the forests for hunting, gathering wood, fruits, flowers and herbs and for grazing their cattle. In some places, they cut down and burnt the trees and cleared the land to cultivate crops. They cut wood to build their homes and to make tools. These people took whatever they needed for their personal use from the forest. They sold some of the things produced in the forest only to buy other things they needed from the market, such as salt and iron. They did not sell the other things that they got from the forests such as wood etc to earn a profit.
While the adivasis and villagers occasionally cleared extensive portions of forests for farming by felling trees, substantial land areas remained covered by forests. Occasionally, conflicts arose between farmers and tribal individuals due to this matter. However, both the farmers and adivasis who utilized these forests took measures to conserve them. When in need of wood, they selectively cut down mature trees and ensured the growth of new ones. They refrained from indiscriminately clearing vast stretches of forest and instead focused on small patches to preserve the overall integrity of the forest.
2.) Whom did the adivasis revolt against? In what ways did they demonstrate their anger and protest? Give some examples.
Ans: The conditions of the adivasi farmers living in the jungle worsened during British times. The Baiga, Muria, Gond, and Bhil tribes of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the Koya, Reddy, and Kolam tribes of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and the Saoraadivasis of Orissa were no longer able to practice their traditional forms of cultivation. They were compelled to work as laborers either for the Forest Department or contractors. Alternatively, they were coerced into bonded labor for moneylenders or farmers from outside.
As roads and railway lines were established in most areas, outsiders found it easier to settle in Adivasis’ territories and seize their land.The influence of the Forest Department also grew stronger. They began assaulting people for minor reasons and extorting fines from them. Additionally, they forcibly entered people’s homes to confiscate their possessions. Women were mistreated, bribes were taken, and free labor (begar) was demanded from the people. Over time, such occurrences became widespread.
In response to these atrocities, the Adivasis initiated protests in numerous locations. During these protests, they would burn down police stations, Forest Department posts, and moneylenders’ houses. In many instances, they set fire to the entire jungle. Santhaladivasis in Jharkhand protested in 1856, Koyaadivasis in Andhra Pradesh protested in 1880 and 1922, Maria and Muriaadivasis in Bastar protested in 1910, and Gond and Kolamadivasis protested in 1940.
Ways they revolted:
a.) The Santhal Revolt – From the beginning, the Santhals of Jharkhand had been resisting and protesting against British rule. In 1855-56, there was a huge revolt in which the Santhals started looting and killing the zamindars and moneylenders. The Santhals declared that British rule had come to an end. They wanted to make a free state for the Santhals. But they were armed only with bows and arrows, and were not strong enough to stand against the gun-bearing British army. By the end of a fierce battle, 15,000 Santhals were killed and their revolt was finally suppressed.
b.) The Revolt Led by BirsaMunda- Between 1874 and 1901, the Mundaadivasis of the Chhotanagpur Plateau, which is now in the state of Jharkhand, came together under the leadership of a young man named Birsa. They wanted to get rid of the British government that protected the zamindars, the moneylenders and the courts of law that had deprived the Mundas of their lands and their rights over their forests. Birsa was thought of as bhagwaan-god and people followed every word he said. In the end, the Munda rebellion was suppressed by arresting the leaders and putting them behind bars. BirsaMunda died in prison in 1900. However, the government was forced to make laws to protect the rights of the Adivasis of Chhotanagpur.
c.) Forest revolt in Kumaon (1921-22) – In the Kumaon region of Uttarkhand, the peasants started protesting because their rights over the forest were being taken away by the government. So they refused to cooperate with the Forest Department. They openly broke the rules of the Forest Department. They also tried to burn the jungles used by contractors. They refused to do forced labour for the Forest Department.
3.) How were the revolts of the adivasis suppressed by the British?
Ans: In the 1850’s, some Indian cloth mills were set up with much courage, first in Mumbai and then in Ahmedabad. Thus, cloth started being made on machines in India too! Some educated people and factory owners demanded that a special tax should be levied on cloth coming from Britain so that the cloth being made in India might get a better market. The special tax would make the British cloth more expensive and this would encourage the sale of cloth produced in Indian factories.They levied a special tax on cloth made by Indian weavers in order to help the cloth industry of Britain. But the government refused to levy a similar tax in India on British cloth to help the Indian industry. The pressure of the British factory owners and traders on the government was so much that it could not go against their interests. In 1896, the income of British government of India reduced a lot. The government started thinking of ways to increase its income. So, in its time of difficulty, the government levied a three and a half percent tax on cloth coming from Britain to India. But it did not want to harm the sale of British cloth. So, it also levied the same amount of tax (three and a half percent) on cloth being made in India as well. This tax became the cause of a long conflict between the Indian people and the British government. Indians had understood that the government would protect only the interests of the British factories. Indian people opposed this tax in India and demanded to remove it.
4.) Make a timeline to show when adivasi protests occured in different parts of India.
Ans: The Santhal Revolt: 1855-56
The Revolt Led by BirsaMunda: Between 1874 and 1901
Forest revolt in Kumaon: 1921-22
5.) What problems did the Indian industrialists have with the British government?
Ans: During the First World War (from 1914 to 1918), the import of foreign goods into India reduced. One reason was that cargo ships were on war related duties, and hence there was a shortage of ships. Secondly, in the factories of Europe, things needed for the war were being made. So very few goods meant for the Indian markets were available. Under these circumstances, the factories that had been established in India started selling their goods in large quantities. Because of heavy sales, there was a rapid development of industries. After the war ended, Indian factoryowners purchased a large numbers of European machines and set up new industries.Indian industrialists began demanding that the government should levy a tax on foreign goods so that the sales of Indian goods might continue in future as well.
6.) During the British rule, why was it easier for the European companies rather than Indian companies to set up industries? Give a few reasons.
Ans: Europeans had many advantages for these companies. They could easily contact officers and authorities of the British government, whereas Indians were never able to do so. All the foreign trade was in the hands of European companies, hence, they had no shortage of funds either. Even though the Europeans had more influence on industries, Indian industrialists developed a great deal. For example, Indian industrialists were able to control the textile industry. The greatest example of the achievements of Indianindustrialists was the steel factory at Jamshedpur that was set up by an industrialist named Jamshedji Tata. The tax on foreign goods was a great help for the Indian industrialists from the government, but this was not sufficient. Many resources and facilities were needed such as railways, roads, electricity, coal and iron. However, the British government did not pay attention to development in these areas. Indian industrialists also had to buy all their machines from abroad. Industries that would manufacture machines had simply not started in India. For the development of industry, help was needed from scientists, engineers, and technicians. Educated workers were needed at all levels. But education was not given importance in India. Industrial development depended on foreigners because very few Indian scientists and engineers were there. In order to promote Indian industry, many organisations of industrialists were formed even during British times. One of the most important was the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI). Such organisations brought up the problems of the industrialists before the government.
7.) Labour laws were first made for child labourers, then for women and lastly for men. Why were these laws made in this order?
Ans: Yes, it is not in order.
In the early phase, work would begin every day at dawn in the mills, and would stop only at sundown. The labourers would wake up early and go to the mills – men as well as women and even children.
The government implemented the first Factory Act in 1881 and made the following rules especially for the welfare of working children: Children below the age of 7 cannot be employed in factories. Children between 7 and 12 years of age cannot be made to work more than 9 hours a day and they must be given a one-hour break each day. They must also be given 4 days leave each month
In 1891, laws were made in the interest of women labourers to ensure that: Women labourers cannot be made to work more than 11 hours a day. Women labourers must be given an hour and half break each day. Children’s working hours were reduced from 9 to 7 hours/day and factory employers were forbidden to employ children below 9 years of age.
The largest number of labourers in industries was that of men. It wasn’t until 1911 that laws for their welfare were made. According to the Factory Act of 1911: Adult male labourers could not be made to work for more than 12 hours every day After every six hours of work there would be a break for half an hour.
8.) How could education affect industrial development? Discuss in the class.
Ans: Indian industrialists also had to buy all their machines from abroad. Industries that would manufacture machines had simply not started in India. For the development of industry, help was needed from scientists, engineers, and technicians. Educated workers were needed at all levels. But education was not given importance in India. Industrial development depended on foreigners because very few Indian scientists and engineers were there. In order to promote Indian industry, many organisations of industrialists were formed even during British times. One of the most important was the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI). Such organisations brought up the problems of the industrialists before the government.
9.) Identify the large industrial cities in an outline map of India during the 20th century.
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10.) Find out the names of the places where each of these adivasi struggles took place, and mark their locations on a map of India.
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11.) Read the paragraph under the title ‘Adivasi Revolts’ on page 206, 207 and comment on it.
Ans: During the British era, the living conditions of adivasi farmers residing in the jungle deteriorated significantly. The Baiga, Muria, Gond, and Bhil tribes in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the Koya, Reddy, and Kolam tribes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as the Saoraadivasis in Orissa, were unable to continue their traditional farming practices. In return, they were compelled to work as laborers for the Forest Department or contractors. In other ways, they were forced into bonded labour for moneylenders or farmers from outside the community.
Then came the expansion of roads and railway lines, outsiders found it convenient to settle in the Adivasis’ territories and seize their land. The Forest Department gained more power, resorting to physical violence for minor reasons and imposing fines on the locals. They even intruded into people’s homes to confiscate belongings, mistreated women, accepted bribes, and exploited free labor (begar) from the community. Over time, these acts of oppression became increasingly common.
Due to these fights and struggles, Adivasis began protesting against them in various locations. These protests often involved burning police stations, Forest Department outposts, and the houses of moneylenders. In certain instances, entire jungles were set on fire as a form of protest. Notable protests by Adivasi communities include those led by the Santhaladivasis in Jharkhand in 1856, the Koyaadivasis of Andhra Pradesh in 1880 and 1922, the Maria and Muriaadivasis of Bastar in 1910, and the Gond and Kolamadivasis in 1940.