Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
1. Why did the tribal groups of India respond violently to imposition of colonial rule in India? What was its significance and why did it fail? Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
As Gujarat features a tableau commemorating a massacre of Bhil tribespeople by colonial troops in 1922, as India delves into the history of tribal engagement with the British.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how various forms of oppression resulted in various tribal revolts and its significance.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by mentioning that eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries witnessed many tribal uprisings against the oppression of ruling class.
Body:
Mention about the various issues faced by tribals such as imposition of a high land revenue demand by the state, corrupt practices, the colonial policies further aggravating their hardships such as destruction of Indian handloom and handicraft industries eviction of peasants from their lands, encroachment on tribal lands etc, money lenders, eviction etc. Cite a few instances of peasant and tribal revolts such as Bhil, Mappila, Santhal etc to substantiate your points.
Next, write about the reasons for the failure of these revolts.
Next, Write about its significance of these tribal revolts.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that in the long run up to the National freedom struggle, the Peasants and tribals struggle evolved and became part of main stream national movement eventually.
