UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 25 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Tribal Insurrections 19th Century
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2011
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicPeasant and Tribal Movements
- DifficultyHard
- TypeDirect
Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?
Show answer
Answer: D. The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
Verdict
Correct Answer: The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
Analysis
This was the common factor behind tribal insurrections in 19th-century India. Tribal revolts were not caused by one isolated issue, but by the overall destruction of their traditional land, forest and social systems under British rule.
Introduction of new land revenue and taxation — Not the best answer
New taxes and revenue demands created hardship, but they were only one part of a larger problem. The deeper issue was the loss of traditional control over land and resources.
Influence of foreign religious missionaries — Not the common factor
Missionary activities created social and cultural resentment in some tribal areas, especially among the Mundas, but this was not common to all tribal uprisings.
Rise of moneylenders, traders and revenue farmers — Not the best answer
The entry of outsiders, called dikus, caused exploitation through debt, land alienation and unfair trade. However, this happened because British land and legal systems opened tribal areas to outsiders.
Complete disruption of the old agrarian order — Correct
The British disturbed traditional tribal systems of landholding, shifting cultivation, forest use and community ownership. They introduced private property, landlordism, forest restrictions and formal courts. This led to loss of ancestral land, indebtedness, forced labour and destruction of tribal autonomy.
Extra UPSC info
Dikus means outsiders such as moneylenders, traders, landlords, contractors and colonial officials.
British forest laws restricted tribal access to forests, grazing, hunting and forest produce.
The Forest Acts of 1865 and 1878 increased state control over forests.
Santhal Hool, 1855–56 was led by Sidhu and Kanhu against dikus and colonial exploitation.
Kol uprising, 1831–32 was caused by transfer of tribal lands to outsiders.
Munda Ulgulan, 1899–1900 was led by Birsa Munda to restore traditional rights and the Khuntkatti system.
Khuntkatti system was the traditional joint landholding system of the Mundas.
How to crack it
The common cause of 19th-century tribal revolts was the destruction of the traditional tribal agrarian and forest-based order. Other factors like taxes, missionaries and moneylenders were important, but they were part of this larger disruption.