Why did the Santhals rebel against British rule?
By 1832 the Santhals had settled in Damin-i-Koh area. Their settlement expanded rapidly. Forests were cleared to accommodate them. The Company also benefitted as it got more and more land revenue. However, the Santhals too got dissatisfied. They rebelled against the British rule.
Following are the main causes for their rebellion.
1.Santhals were not happy with the tax regime of the company. They thought that the land revenue rates were high and exploitative .
2.The Zamindars began to exercise greater control on the areas brought under cultivation by Santhals, apparently it was a part of the British Policy. But Santhals resented that.
3.Moneylenders in the rural areas were seen as villain and agent of Company rule by the Santhals. Moneylenders could auction the land of Santhals in case of defaulter. All this was not liked by the Santhals. The British took steps to placate the Santhals later on. A separate district of Santhal Pargana was carved out and law was enacted to protect the santhals.
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On an outline map of the subcontinent, mark out the areas described in this chapter. Find out whether there were other areas where the Permanent Settlement and the ryotwari system were prevalent and plot these on the map as well.
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To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
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What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
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How was the term minority defined by different groups?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
Examine how concerns of defence and health gave shape to Calcutta.
What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?
What were the concerns that influenced town planning in the nineteenth century?
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
How were urban centres transformed during the eighteenth century?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?
How did ordinary people view Partition?