On this post, we provide AHSEC Class 12 History Chapter 12: Colonialism And The Rural Society Notes and important question and answers for the 2025 examination.
After going through this unit you will be able: To trace the History of the British rule in India, which was started from 1757 with the battle of Plassey. To discuss about the revenue policy of the British government in India. To examine the Zamindari system, Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari system. To know about the life and livelihood of the people of hill areas in 18th century, which were known as Paharias. To elaborate the livelihood of the Santhal People and why did they revolt against the British.
Chapter – 12
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Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 12 Model questions and Answer for 1 Mark: (very short type)
1. Which revenue system was introduced by the East India Company in the Bombay Deccan. Imark(2019)
Ans: Rayotwari system introduced in Bombay Deccan.
2. Who introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal? 1mark (2018, 2015)
Ans: Lord Cornwallis introduced.
3. What was Damin-i-koh? 1mark (2017)
Ans: Land demarcated for Santhal settlement.
4. Who were the Shaukars? 1mark (2016)
Ans: Shaukars were the moneylenders.
5. Who were the Jotedars? Imark (2015, 2014)
Ans: Jotedars were the rich peasants.
6. When was the Permanent Settlement in Bengal introduced? 1mark (2013)
Ans: In 1793 it was introduced.
7. Who was Buchanan?1mark (2012)
Ans: Francis Buchanan was a physician who came to India and served in the Bengal Medical Service (from 1794 to 1815)
8. Who were the Talukdars?
Ans: The owner of a Taluq (territorial unit).
9. What do you mean by Ryot?
Ans: It meant Peasants.
10. Who were the Amlah?
Ans: Rent collector under the Zamindars.
11. Who were Adhiyars?
Ans: Adhiyars were sharecroppers; who cultivated the lands of the Zamindars.
12. When did Great Depression occurred in India?
Ans: In 1930s it occurred.
13. Where did Paharias lived?
Ans: They lived around the Rajmahal hills.
14. What is Aquatint? 1mark
Ans: Aquatint is a picture produced by cutting into a coppe sheet with acid and then printing it.
15. In when did British followed brutal policy against the Paharias? 1mark
Ans: In 1770s.
16. Name the British official who made relations with the Paharias. 1mark
Ans: Augustus Cleveland was the British officer.
17. From when did Santhals started to live in the areas of Paharias. 1mark
Ans: From 1838 they started to live.
18. Who was the leader of the Santhal rebellion? 1mark
Ans: Sidhu Manjhi, the leader of the Santhal rebellion.
19. When did Santhal Rebellion took place?
Ans: This Revolt took place in 1855-56.
20. Which system was introduced by the British in Assam to collect revenue?
Ans: Ryotwari system.
21. In when the Manchester Cotton Company was founded?
Ans: In 1859 A.D.
22. When did the Cotton Supply Association was formed?
Ans: In 1857 A.D.
23. When did the American Civil War broke out?
Ans: It broke out in 1861 A.D.
24. Name one oldest Newspaper of India.
Ans: Bombay Gazette.
25. In when British passed Limitation Law?
Ans: It passed in 1859 A.D.
26. When did British got the Diwani rights in Bengal?1
Ans: In 1765, after the battle of Buxar.
27. When was the East India Company was formed? 1
Ans: East India Company was formed in 1600 A.D.
28. Who was the Governor General of Bengal when the Permanent Settlement was introducing in 1793? 1
Ans: Lord Cornwallis was the Governor General.
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 12 Model questions and Answer for 2 Marks :
1. What was Fifth Report? (2019)
Ans: The Fifth Report:
(i) It was the fifth of a series of reports on the administration and activities of the East India Company in India. It submitted in 1813.
(ii) Often referred to as the Fifth Report, it ran into 1002 pages,
(iii) Of which over 800 pages were appendices that reproduced petitions of zamindars and ryots.
2. Give two reasons for Santhal Rebellion. 2 (2016, 2012)
Ans: Reasons for Santhal Rebellion were-
(i) Ans: The land that Santhals had brought under cultivation was slipping away from their hands.
(ii) The state was levying heavy taxes on the land that the Santhals had cleared, money lenders (dikus) were charging them high rates of interest.
3. Ho were the village Jotedars often found more effective than the Zamindars? Give two reasons. 2marks (2014)
Ans: The group of rich farmers were known as Jotedars.
(i) They lived in the villages with the villagers. They were always in touch with the peasants.
(ii) They helped peasants through lending money, support etc. Because Zamindars were lived in the cities. Therefore, it helped the Jotedars to influence over the peasants. 2marks
4. What was Permanent Settlement?
Ans: The practice of collecting land revenue introduced by Lord Cornwalis in 1793 is known as permanent settlement. In this system the land was given to landlords (Zamindars) permanently. The amount of revenue had been fixed in permanent settlement.
5. Explain the Ryotwari system of revenue. 2marks
Ans: The revenue system that was introduced in the Bombay Deccan came to be known as riotwari. In this system, the revenue was directly settled with the riot. The average incomes from different types of soil was estimated. The revenue-paying capacity of the riot was assessed and a proportion of it fixed as the share of the state.
6. What was Deeds of hire? 2marks
Ans: When debts mounted the peasants were unable to pay back the loan to the moneylender. They had no option but to give over all land under their possession, carts and animals to the money lenders. But without animals they could not continue to cultivate. So they took land on rent and animals on hire. Now they had to pay for them which had originally belonged to them. He had to sign a Deed of hire stating very clearly that these animals and carts did not belong to them.
7. Who were Santhals? What are the two features of their lives? 2marks
Ans: They were the tribes living in the foothills of Rajmahal hills. They cultivated their fields by plough and much civilized then the Paharias.
8. What do you understand by Deccan riots commission? 2marks
Ans: The commission which was set up to investigate the riots of Deccan’s farmer in 1875. It was set up by the government of Bombay due to immense pressure of Government of India. Its report was presented in 1878 before the British Parliament.
9. Who were Jotedars? 2marks
Ans: The group of rich farmers were known as Jotedars. They controlled local trade as well as money lending, exercising immense power over the poorer cultivator’s of the region.
10. What were the objectives for the formation of the Cotton Company? 2marks
Ans: The objectives were-
(i) To encourage cotton production in every part of the worldsuited for its growth.
(ii) India was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up.
(iii) It possessed suitable soil, a climate favourable to cotton cultivation, and cheap labour.
11. What were the objectives of the Limitation Law of 1859? 2marks
Ans: The objectives or clauses of the Limitation Law were-
(i) This law was meant to check the accumulation of interest over time.
(ii) The moneylender, however, turned the law around, forcing the ryot to sign a new bond every three years.
(iii) When a new bond was signed, the unpaid balance – that is, the original loan and the accumulated interest was entered as the principal on which a new set of interest charges was calculated.
12. What were the two types of farmers in the Mughal period? (HS 2024)
Ans:- Khud-kashta and Pahi-kashta
13. Give two effects of American Civil War on cotton cultivation. (HS 2024)
Ans:- 1. Disruption of Cotton Production: The American Civil War caused significant disruption in cotton cultivation, especially in the southern states where much of the cotton was grown. The war led to the destruction of plantations, loss of enslaved labor, and overall turmoil that greatly reduced cotton output.
2. Global Cotton Shortage: The decline in American cotton production during the Civil War created a global shortage, forcing countries like Britain and France to seek alternative sources of cotton. This spurred the growth of cotton industries in countries like India and Egypt, altering global cotton trade patterns.
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 12 Model questions and Answer for 3/4 marks :
1. Discuss about the life of hill folk of Rajmahal hills, Paharia. 3marks (2019)
Ans: (i) Paharias lived around the Rajmahal hills, subsisting on forest produce and practicing shifting cultivation.
(ii) They cleared patches of forest by cutting bushes and burning the undergrowth on these patches, enriched by the potash from the ash, the Paharias grew a variety of pulses and millets for consumption.
(iii) From the forests they collected Mahua (a flower) for food, silk cocoons and resin for sale, and wood for charcoal production.
2. How did the American Civil War affect the lives of riots in India? 4marks (HS 2024, 2018, 2013)
Ans: American Civil War that began in 1860 had a huge impact on the ryots of Deccan region in India. Following events explains how the impact took shape:
(i) Britain was the country where large cotton mills were operational. These cotton mills depended on cotton imported from North America.
(ii) When the USA was reeling under civil war, it was naturally very difficult to import cotton from there.
(iii) The cotton mills were forced to look for alternative suppliers of cotton apart from US. India made a good option.
(iv) The farmers in Deccan were encouraged to grow cotton. One way was the easy access of credit. The moneylenders would give credit of Rs 100 for every acre of land under cotton cultivation.
3. Why did the Santhal revolt against the British? 4marks (2015)
Ans: The Santhals were revolted against the British rule due to following reasons-
(iii) The land that Santhals had brought under cultivation was slipping away from their hands.
(iv) The state was levying heavy taxes on the land that the Santhals had cleared, money lenders (dikus) were charging them high rates of interest.
(v) Moneylenders were taking over the land from Santhals when debts remained unpaid, and Zamindars were asserting control over the Damin-i-koh area.
(vi) By the 1850s, the Santhals felt that the time had come to rebel against Zamindars, money lenders and the colonial state in order to create an ideal world for themselves where they would rule.
4. Why was Jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal? 4marks
Ans: Jotedars were rich peasants in Bengal. They controlled local trade and commerce including the money lending business. They had great influence on the local village population. They were regarded more powerful than the Zamindars even.
Following are the main reasons for the high status of Jotedars.
(i) The Jotedars controlled trade and commerce including money lending business at the local level.
(ii) In order to weaken the Zamindars, Jotedars would mobilise ryots not to pay or delay payment towards land revenue.
(iii) The Jotedars opposed the moves of Zamindars to increase the Jama of a village.
(iv) The Jotedars lived in villages only. Hence they were in a better position to interact with and influence the peasants.
5. How did Zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
Ans: When zamindars were in bad times, they often resorted to various tactics to maintain control over their zamindari. These were in fact their survival tactics.
Following are the important ones.
(i) Zamindars created fictitious sales during auction. Their own men would make highest bid and later refused to pay up. After repeating this exercise for couple of occasions, the government would be tired and sell it back to zamindar at lesser rate.
(ii) A part of Estate was often transferred to female members of the family, and that part of property could not be taken by the government any more.
(iii) Zamindars put hurdle in purchase and occupation of the estate by others by use of sheer muscle power.
(iv) Sometimes even peasants under the influence of zamindars opposed auction of estate.
6. Why Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal? Give reasons.
Ans: The reasons were
(i) If the revenue demand of the state was permanently fixed. then the Company could look forward to a regular flow of revenue.
(ii) While entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment, since the state would not siphon it off by increasing its claim.
(iii) The process, officials hoped, would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture.
(iv) Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company.
7. What was Fifth Report? 4marks
Ans: (iv) It was the fifth of a series of reports on the administration and activities of the East India Company in India. It submitted in 1813.
(v) Often referred to as the Fifth Report, it ran into 1002 pages,
(vi) Of which over 800 pages were appendices that reproduced petitions of zamindars and ryots,
(vii) Also reports of collectors from different districts, statistical tables on revenue returns, and notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras (present-day Tamil Nadu) written by officials.
8. Write a note on Buchanan’s Report. 4marks
Ans: Buchanan was British official, physician; due to which he went almost all the places of India and made a report on it by his personal experience. These were-
(i) Buchanan, undoubtedly an extraordinary observer, was one such individual. Everywhere Buchanan went, he obsessively observed the stones and rocks and the different strata and layers of soil.
(ii) He searched for minerals and stones that were commercially valuable, he recorded all signs of iron ore and mica, granite and saltpetre.
(iii) He carefully observed local practices of salt-making and ironore-mining.
(iv) When Buchanan wrote about a landscape, he most often described not just what he saw, what the landscape was like, but also how it could be transformed and made more productive what crops could be cultivated, which trees cut down, and which ones grown.
9. What was ryotwari settlement? 4marks
Ans: Ryotwari settlement was-
(i) The revenue was directly settled with the ryot.
(ii) The average income from different types of soil was estimated, the revenue-paying capacity of the ryot was assessed and a proportion of it fixed as the share of the state.
(iii) The lands were resurveyed every 30 years and the revenue rates increased.
(iv) Therefore, the revenue demand was no longer permanent
10. Give an account on the Deccan Riots Commission. 4
Ans: (i) The Government of Bombay to set up a commission ol enquiry to investigate into the causes of the riots.
(ii) The commission produced a report that was presented to the British Parliament in 1878.
(iii) This report, referred to as the Deccan Riots Report, provides historians with a range of sources for the study of the riot.
(iv) The commission held enquiries in the districts where the riots spread, recorded statements of ryots, sahukars and eyewitnesses, compiled statistical data on revenue rates. prices and interest rates in different regions, and collated the reports sent by district collectors
Ahsec Class 12 History Chapter 12 Model questions and Answer for 5 Marks :
1. What was Permanent Settlement? Why did the Zamindars fail to meet the revenue demand. 5 (2017)
Ans: The practice of collecting land revenue introduced by Lord Cornwalis in 1793 is known as permanent settlement. In this system the land was given to landlords (Zamindars) permanently. The amount of revenue had been fixed in permanent settlement.
The reasons for this failure were various-
(i) The initial demands of tax were very high, because the company felt that if the demand was fixed for all time to come they would never be able to claim for high shares in the condition of increased income.
(ii) This high demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the riots to pay their dues to the zamindar. If the Zamindar could not collect the rent, how could he pay the company?
(iii) The revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid. punctually.
(iv) The permanent settlement initially limited the power of the Zamindars to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari.
2. How did the Paharis respond to the coming of the outsiders? 5marks (2012)
Ans: Paharias live in the hills of Rajmahal. The British people began to interact with them and later Santhals began to settle down there.
The response of the Pahariaswas as follows:
(i) Paharias resisted the settlement of Santhals initially but had to accommodate them in course of time.
(ii) The Paharias shifted to deeper areas into the hills.
(iii) They were confined to more barren and rocky areas of the hills in course of time.
(iv) The paharias did shifting cultivation. Now shifting cultivation was becoming more and more difficult as proper and stable settlements.
(v) As forest began to be cleared, the paharis could not depend on it for livelihood. Thus, the lifestyle and living of Paharias underwent change due to coming of outsiders.
3. Discuss about the life of hill folk of Rajmahal hills, Paharia. 5marks
Ans: (iv) Paharias lived around the Rajmahal hills, subsisting on forest produce and practicing shifting cultivation.
(v) They cleared patches of forest by cutting bushes and burning the undergrowth on these patches, enriched by the potash from the ash, the Paharias grew a variety of pulses and millets for consumption.
(vi) They scratched the ground lightly with hoes, cultivated the cleared land for few years, then left it fallow so that it could recover its fertility, and moved to a new area.
(vii) From the forests they collected Mahua (a flower) for food, silk cocoons and resin for sale, and wood for charcoal production.
(viii) The life of the Paharias as hunters shifting cultivators, food gatherers, charcoal producers, silkworm rearers was thus intimately connected to the forest.
4. What are the problems of using official sources in writing about the history of peasants? 5marks
Ans: Following are the problems in using official sources in writing about the history of peasants.
(i) The official sources reflect only British official concerns and interpretation of all events from the outlook and angles of the English. For example, the Deccan riots commission was specifically asked to judge whether the level of Government revenue demand was the cause of the revolt.
(ii) Most of the events, revolts and happening have been presented in a blazed manner.
(iii) The colonial Government and official had their own political, economic religious, cultural and social interest. They had always tried to present the picture of Indian society, people, tradition, culture and even the achievements.
(iv) The sources have been presented and recorded by such clever and naughty people who have intentionally presented things with false evidences also. adh
(v) Official reports, thus are invaluable sources for the reconstruction of history. But they have to be always read carefully and compared with evidence form newspapers, unofficial accounts, legal records and where possible oral sources.
5. What were steps taken by the British East India Company to control the Zamindars?
Ans: The British East India Company took the following steps mainly to maintain its control over the Zamindars.
(i) The zamindar’s troops were disbanded custom duties were abolished.
(ii) Their cutcheries (Courts) brought under the supervision of collector appointed by the company.
(iii) The power to deliver local judgment was also taken away from zamindars. In fact, zamindars held their control and leadership through local courts and other panchayats.
(iv) In case a Raja (powerful zamindars) failed to pay the land revenue, a company official was speedily dispatched to his zamindari which explicit instruction “to take charge of the District and tried to destroy all the influence and the authority of the zamindar and his officers.
(v) Some of the scholars believe that some trouble creators were also used as tools to reduce the influence of Rajas.
6. What explains the anger of Deccan ryots against the moneylenders?
Ans: The main reasons for the anger of Ryots against moneylenders are as follows:
(i) In rural India it was traditional rule that the interest will always remain less than the principal amount. However, in many cases interest payable was more than the principal itself.
(ii) No receipt was paid in case of payment of loan partly or fully. This opened the scope of manipulation by the moneylenders.
(iii) Ryots complained about forging of documents and other fraudulent activity by the moneylenders.
(iv) Ryots believed that moneylenders were insensitive to them and made an arrogant and exploitative lot.
7. Why were so many Zamindaris auctioned after the Permanent settlement?
Ans: Many Zamindaris were auctioned as the Zamindars failed to pay up the agreed land revenue on time.
The reason for the same:
(i) Many believed that the land revenue settlement was on the higher side. Moreover, soon after the permanent settlement the food grain prices declined. The ryots could not pay up the land revenue and hence Zamindars also defaulted.
(ii) The revenue was to be deposited on time irrespective of harvesting cycle. This was another reason for default by the Zamindars.
(iii) The power of Zamindars was curbed by the Company. They were no longer law and order enforcing agency at local level.
(iv) Many a time Jotedars and peasants deliberately delayed the land revenue payment. This resulted in default by Zamindars and the auction thereafter.
8. In what way was the livelihood of Paharias different from that of Santhals? 5marks
Ans: Paharias were living in the foothills of Rajmahal. They lived a life that was different from Santhals. Most of the information on their lives is based on the report of Buchanan, the physician of the East India Company who wandered into the terrain of Rajmahal Hills.
(i) The paharias were nomads. They lived a wandering life. They, however, sometimes did shifting cultivation.
(ii) Their another important source of livelihood of forest resources and animals.
(iii) They extracted mahua and used it. Colonialism and the countryside: Exploring official archives.
(iv) Paharias used to look at outsiders with suspicion and even were hostile with them.
(v) The Santhals were different from them on many counts.
(vi) The Santhals took to agriculture fast and soon got into settled life.
vii) They had better relation with the outsiders including the East India Company.
Read the passage carefully and answer the following:
1. A Ryot petition: (2013)
This is an example of a petition from a ryot of the village of Mirajgaon, Taluka Karjat, to the Collector, Ahmednagar, Deccan Riots Commission: The sowkars (sahukars) … have of late begun to oppress us. As we cannot earn enough to defray our household expenses, we are actually forced to beg of them to provide us with money, clothes and grain, which we obtain from them not without great difficulty, nor without their compelling us to enter into hard conditions in the bond. Moreover, the necessary clothes and grain are not sold to us at cash rates. The prices asked from us are generally twenty-five or fifty per cent more than demanded from customers making ready money payments The produce of our fields is also taken by the sowkars, who at the time of removing it assure us that it will be credited to our account, but they do not actually make any mention of it in the accounts. They also refuse to pass us any receipts for the produce so removed by them.
(i) Why did the petitioner feel that the chaukars were deceitful?
Ans: They were moneylenders, traders; they always concern with their own benefit, so that they not kind to the farmers.
(ii) Why were debtors denied a proper receipt?
Ans: They refused to give receipts when loans were repaid due to:
(a) To entere fictitious figures in bonds, acquired the peasants’ harvest at low prices,
(b) Too took over peasants’ property.
(iii) Did the British government sympathetically listen such complaints?
Ans: Yes, British listen to that complaints and made some laws to safe the peasants. The terms of transactions, they believed, had to be clearly, unambiguously and categorically stated in contracts, deeds and bonds, and regulated by law. Unless the deed or contract was legally enforceable, it had no value.
2. Referring to the condition of zamindars and the auction of lands, the Fifth Report stated.
The revenue was not realized with punctuality, and lands to a considerable extent were periodically exposed to sale by auction. In the native year 1203, corresponding with 1796- 1797, the land advertised for sale comprehended a jumma or assessment of sicca rupees 28, 70, 061, the extent of land actually sold bore a jumma or assessment of 14,18, 756 and the amount of purchase money sicca rupees 17,90, 416.. In 1204 corresponding with 1797-98 the land advertised was for sicca rupees 26, 66,191 the quality sold was for sicca rupees 21, 47, 580. Among the defaulters were some of the oldest families or the country. Such were the rajahs of Nuddea, Rajeshaye Bishenpore (all districts of Bengal), and others, the dismemberment of whose estates at the end of each succeeding year threatened them with poverty and ruin, and in some instances presented difficulties to the revenue officer, in their efforts to preserve undiminished the amount of public assessment.
(i) Why did Zamindars defaulted on payments? 3marks
Ans: (a) The revenue demand was very high.
(b) The high demand was imposed the 1790’s, a time when the prizes of agriculture produce were depressed making it difficult for the riots to pay their dues to the zamindars.
(c) The revenue was invariable regardless of the harvest and had to be paid regularly.
(ii) Name some of the oldest families who were defaulters in payment?
Ans: The Rajas of Nuddea, Rajeshaye, Bishenpore (all district of Bengal) were some of the defaulters could not pay revenue in time.
(iii) What was fifth report?
Ans: The Fifth Report was-
(a) Fifth report is one amongst a series of report of the administrative activities of the East India company sent to the British parliament.
(b) It contents 1002 pages of which over 800 pages were appendices that reproduced petitions of zamindars and riots, reports of collectors, statistically reports on revenue returns and notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras, written by officials.
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