CBSE Class 8 History - Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

Chapter Overview

The chapter Tribals, Dikus, and the Vision of a Golden Age discusses the life of tribal communities in India before and during British rule. It explains their customs, economic activities, interactions with outsiders (Dikus), and their resistance against colonial exploitation.

Important Keywords

• Tribal Economy: A self-sufficient system based on hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation, and animal rearing.
• Dikus: Outsiders like moneylenders, traders, and British officials who exploited the tribals.
• Shifting Cultivation: A method where land is used for farming temporarily and then abandoned.
• Forest Laws: British-imposed restrictions that prevented tribals from using forest resources.
• Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): A tribal revolt against British revenue policies.
• Birsait Movement: A religious and political movement led by Birsa Munda against British oppression.