Question

Which of the following statements are correct?
(A) Moneylenders were called ‘dikus’.
(B) Zamindars hired the Santhals to reclaim land.
(C) Santhals were merchants.
(D) Land of the Santhals was demarcated as ‘Damin-i-koh’.
(E) Santhals charged heavy land revenue from dikus moneylenders.

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only
• B. (C) and (E) only
• C. (A), (B) and (D) only
• D. (C) and (D) only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which statements are correct, we must understand each historical reference related to the Santhals: 

• Statement (A): Moneylenders were called ‘dikus’.
  Correct. In the context of tribal history, ‘dikus’ referred to outsiders, like moneylenders and traders, who exploited the local populace.
• Statement (B): Zamindars hired the Santhals to reclaim land.
  Correct. The Santhals were invited by zamindars to clear and cultivate land that had remained uncultivated, particularly in the area of 'Damin-i-koh'.
• Statement (C): Santhals were merchants.
  Incorrect. Santhals were primarily an agricultural community and were not known as merchants.
• Statement (D): Land of the Santhals was demarcated as ‘Damin-i-koh’.
  Correct. 'Damin-i-koh' was the demarcated area given to the Santhals to live and cultivate, reducing interference from outsiders.
• Statement (E): Santhals charged heavy land revenue from dikus moneylenders.
  Incorrect. The Santhals did not impose land revenue on others; rather, they were often subjected to exploitative practices by outsiders.

Given these analyses, the correct option that matches the accurate statements is (A), (B), and (D) only.

Answer 2

The correct statements are:

(A) Moneylenders were called ‘dikus’. This is correct as Santhals referred to exploitative outsiders, including moneylenders, as "dikus".

(B) Zamindars hired the Santhals to reclaim land. This is correct as zamindars hired Santhals to expand cultivation and reclaim land in Bengal3.

(D) Land of the Santhals was demarcated as ‘Damin-i-koh’. This is correct; Damin-i-koh was a large area demarcated for Santhals in the Rajmahal Hills.

The incorrect statements are:

(C) Santhals were merchants. This is incorrect; Santhals were primarily agricultural laborers and cultivators, not merchants.

(E) Santhals charged heavy land revenue from dikus moneylenders. This is incorrect; Santhals were exploited by moneylenders and landlords, rather than charging them revenue.