After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government ? 1. The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created. 2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (c)
• After crushing the Santhal Hul (1855–56) led by Sidhu and Kanhu, the British carved out the Santhal Parganas as a separate district in 1855 with its own simplified administration under a Deputy Commissioner (statement 1).
• Later land laws for the Santhal Parganas (consolidated in the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1949) barred transfer of Santhal land to non-Santhals (dikus) to prevent the moneylender–zamindar exploitation that had triggered the uprising (statement 2).
• Hence both 1 and 2, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: land transfer to non-Santhals was barred.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 1 is also correct: Santhal Parganas was created.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Both statements are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.