In which one of the following years did the British demarcate a large area of land as Damin-i-koh for settling the Santhals?

Correct — D, 1832. By 1832 the British had demarcated a large tract in the Rajmahal Hills as Damin-i-koh and declared it the land of the Santhals, encouraging them to settle and clear forest for cultivation. This policy followed the failure to subdue the shifting-cultivating Paharias, and it led to a rapid rise in the Santhal population there — tensions that later fed the Santhal rebellion of 1855 to 1856. The other years mark different events and do not fit this demarcation.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  1810 — No such demarcation was made in 1810; the Damin-i-koh was set aside in the 1830s.
• (b)
  1793 — 1793 is the year of the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, not the demarcation of the Damin-i-koh.
• (c)
  1885 — 1885 is far too late — the Santhals had already risen in revolt in 1855 to 1856, well before this.

As the British extended settled agriculture and revenue collection, they sought to pacify and settle hill tribes. The Santhals were invited to clear and cultivate a demarcated forest tract, the Damin-i-koh in the Rajmahal Hills, by about 1832. Their settlement, followed by heavy taxes and moneylender exploitation, culminated in the Santhal rebellion, the Hul, of 1855 to 1856.

Key facts

• The Damin-i-koh was a demarcated forest tract in the Rajmahal Hills declared the land of the Santhals.
• It was set aside by about 1832 to settle the Santhals as cultivators.
• The Paharias, earlier occupants of the hills, practised shifting cultivation and resisted settlement.
• Santhal grievances led to the Santhal rebellion, the Hul, of 1855 to 1856.

Common traps

• Confusing 1832, the Damin-i-koh demarcation, with 1793, the Permanent Settlement.
• Placing the demarcation after the 1855 to 1856 revolt instead of before it.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The Damin-i-koh was demarcated by the British as the land of the

  • (a)Mundas
  • (b)Santhals
  • (c)Gonds
  • (d)Bhils
  Answer(b) Santhals.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  The Santhal rebellion (Hul) against the British and moneylenders took place in

  • (a)1831 to 1832
  • (b)1855 to 1856
  • (c)1857 to 1858
  • (d)1899 to 1900
  Answer(b) 1855 to 1856.