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

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.