Class 8 History – Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the
Vision of a Golden Age
Introduction
This chapter describes the life of tribal communities in India, their sources of livelihood, and how
British rule affected their lives. It also covers tribal resistance and the story of Birsa Munda’s
movement for a golden age.
1. How Did Tribal People Live?
Different tribal groups lived in different ways depending on the region and resources available. They
practiced shifting cultivation, hunting, gathering, herding, and settled cultivation.
Shifting Cultivation: Also known as 'Jhum cultivation'. Tribals cleared forest land by burning trees
and grew crops for a few years. After the soil lost fertility, they moved to another place.
Hunting and Gathering: Many tribes like the Baigas of Central India lived by hunting animals and
collecting fruits, roots, and honey.
Animal Herding: Tribes like the Van Gujjars and Gaddis moved with their herds to find fresh
grazing grounds.
Settled Cultivation: Some tribes like the Santhals and Mundas started ploughing and growing
crops permanently.
2. How Did the British Change Tribal Lives?
The British introduced new laws that greatly affected the lives of tribals:
• Forests were declared government property, restricting tribal use of forest products.
• Shifting cultivation was banned, forcing tribals to become labourers or work on plantations.
• Many tribals lost their land and became tenants under moneylenders or landlords.
3. Tribals and the Traders, Moneylenders, and Dikus
The term 'Dikus' was used by tribals for outsiders like British officials, moneylenders, and traders
who exploited them.
• Moneylenders gave loans at high interest, leading to debt and land loss.
• Traders made tribals work for low wages or forced them to sell forest produce cheaply.
• Planters made them work in tea, coffee, or indigo plantations under harsh conditions.
4. The Search for a Golden Age – Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda was born in 1875 in a Munda tribal family in present-day Jharkhand. He became a
religious and political leader who inspired the Mundas to fight against the British.
He believed in a return to the old ways of tribal life – free from the rule of Dikus and British
oppression. He urged people to follow their own religion and work for a golden age of freedom.
Birsa Movement:
• Known as the Ulgulan (The Great Tumult).
• Birsa led a revolt against landlords, moneylenders, and the British government.
Vision of a Golden Age
Introduction
This chapter describes the life of tribal communities in India, their sources of livelihood, and how
British rule affected their lives. It also covers tribal resistance and the story of Birsa Munda’s
movement for a golden age.
1. How Did Tribal People Live?
Different tribal groups lived in different ways depending on the region and resources available. They
practiced shifting cultivation, hunting, gathering, herding, and settled cultivation.
Shifting Cultivation: Also known as 'Jhum cultivation'. Tribals cleared forest land by burning trees
and grew crops for a few years. After the soil lost fertility, they moved to another place.
Hunting and Gathering: Many tribes like the Baigas of Central India lived by hunting animals and
collecting fruits, roots, and honey.
Animal Herding: Tribes like the Van Gujjars and Gaddis moved with their herds to find fresh
grazing grounds.
Settled Cultivation: Some tribes like the Santhals and Mundas started ploughing and growing
crops permanently.
2. How Did the British Change Tribal Lives?
The British introduced new laws that greatly affected the lives of tribals:
• Forests were declared government property, restricting tribal use of forest products.
• Shifting cultivation was banned, forcing tribals to become labourers or work on plantations.
• Many tribals lost their land and became tenants under moneylenders or landlords.
3. Tribals and the Traders, Moneylenders, and Dikus
The term 'Dikus' was used by tribals for outsiders like British officials, moneylenders, and traders
who exploited them.
• Moneylenders gave loans at high interest, leading to debt and land loss.
• Traders made tribals work for low wages or forced them to sell forest produce cheaply.
• Planters made them work in tea, coffee, or indigo plantations under harsh conditions.
4. The Search for a Golden Age – Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda was born in 1875 in a Munda tribal family in present-day Jharkhand. He became a
religious and political leader who inspired the Mundas to fight against the British.
He believed in a return to the old ways of tribal life – free from the rule of Dikus and British
oppression. He urged people to follow their own religion and work for a golden age of freedom.
Birsa Movement:
• Known as the Ulgulan (The Great Tumult).
• Birsa led a revolt against landlords, moneylenders, and the British government.
