Question

How did the arrival of Santhals in the Rajmahal hills affect the Paharias? Choose the correct options:

• A. The Paharias were displaced and moved to the upper hills.
• B. The Santhals helped the Paharias in expanding agriculture.
• C. The Paharias spread into the Damin-i-Koh to avoid conflict with the Santhals.
• D. The Santhals and Paharias collaborated against the British.

Hint:

Santhals = settled agriculturists, Paharias = forest dwellers pushed into hills after Santhal settlement.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand the historical context. 
The Santhals were settled by the British in the Rajmahal hills region (Damin-i-Koh) to expand cultivation and revenue. Their arrival had a major impact on the existing tribal population, especially the Paharias. 

Step 2: Impact on Paharias. 
The Santhals cleared forests and expanded agriculture, which gradually reduced the area available to the Paharias. As a result, the Paharias were pushed away from fertile lands. 

Step 3: Analyze options. 
• (A) Correct. The Paharias were displaced and forced to move into higher hills. 
• (B) Incorrect. The Santhals did not assist Paharias; rather they replaced them in cultivated areas. 
• (C) Incorrect. It was the Santhals who were settled in Damin-i-Koh, not the Paharias moving there. 
• (D) Incorrect. There was no such collaboration; rather tensions existed. 

Step 4: Conclusion. 
Thus, the correct effect was displacement of Paharias to upper hills. 

Final Answer: The Paharias were displaced and moved to the upper hills.