Question 49 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Modern History

Question

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?
1. The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created.
2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both 1 and 2

Strategy: The strategy focuses on two key British colonial responses to tribal revolts:

*   **Administrative Rearrangements:** The creation of 'Santhal Paraganas' as a distinct territory post-uprising.
*   **Land Safeguards:** Implementation of restrictions on land transfer to non-Santhals to protect tribal landholdings.

Both measures align with colonial patterns for preventing recurrence of unrest and are accepted as valid outcomes.

Key Info: The Santhal Uprising (1855-56) was a major tribal revolt in the present-day Jharkhand and West Bengal regions, led by the Santhal people against oppressive practices by landlords, moneylenders, and colonial officials. In 1855, Santhals declared rebellion under leaders like Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, targeting exploitative systems. After its suppression, the British authorities undertook several reforms:

*   **Santhal Paraganas District:** In 1855, the British created the 'Santhal Paraganas' by separating territory from the districts of Bhagalpur (Bengal Presidency) and Birbhum. This administrative unit, established through Act XXXVII of 1855, recognized the region's unique needs and allowed for special laws and governance tailored to the Santhal community.
*   **Land Transfer Restrictions:** Specific regulations such as the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876, were enacted to restrict the transfer of land from Santhals to non-Santhals, aiming to prevent the loss of tribal land to outsiders and the re-emergence of exploitative landlordism. These laws protected the tribal community's economic base and helped address one of the uprising's main causes.
*   **Broader Context:** Such reforms were part of a wider colonial strategy following major tribal and agrarian revolts--administrative separation, special land tenure rules, and curbing non-tribal encroachment were commonly adopted to mitigate further unrest.
*   The Santhal Paraganas continue today as a distinct administrative region in Jharkhand, reflecting this historical legacy.
*   **Legislative Measures:** The protections introduced were also precursors to later land alienation laws under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, designed to preserve tribal autonomy.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government? The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created.

It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: