Class 9 History Chapter 4 Case Based Questions - Forest Society and Colonialism

Q1: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follows:
Bastar is located in the southernmost part of Chhattisgarh and borders Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra. The central part of Bastar is on a plateau. To the north of this plateau is the Chhattisgarh plain and to its south is the Godavari plain. The river Indrawati winds across Bastar east to west. A number of different communities live in Bastar such as Maria and Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras and Halbas. They speak different languages but share common customs and beliefs. The people of Bastar believe that each village was given its land by the Earth, and in return, they look after the earth by making some offerings at each agricultural festival. In addition to the Earth, they show respect to the spirits of the river, the forest and the mountain. Since each village knows where its boundaries lie, the local people look after all the natural resources within that boundary. If people from a village want to take some wood from the forests of another village, they pay a small fee called devsari, dand or man in exchange. Some villages also protect their forests by engaging watchmen and each household contributes some grain to pay them. Every year there is one big hunt where the headmen of villages in a pargana (cluster of villages) meet and discuss issues of concern, including forests.
Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:
(i) The Central Part of Bastar is on a ________.
(a) River
(b) Plain
(c) Plateau
(d) Mountain
Ans: (c)
The central part of Bastar is on a plateau. A plateau is a flat, elevated landform that is typically higher than its surroundings, and it fits the description given in the passage.

(ii) Chhattisgarh plain lies on the _________of plateau.
(a) East
(b) North
(c) South
(d) West
Ans: (b)
To the north of the plateau in Bastar is the Chhattisgarh plain. This indicates the geographical location of the Chhattisgarh plain in relation to the plateau.

(iii) The people of _________believe that each village was given its land by the earth.
(a) Bastar
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Andhra Pradesh
Ans: (a)
The people of Bastar believe that each village was given its land by the Earth. This cultural belief is unique to the Bastar region.

(iv) Devsari, Dand or man in exchange were the small _________paid by the village to take some wood from the forests of another village.
(a) Money
(b) Amount
(c) Fee
(d) Token
Ans: (c)
 iIf people from a village want to take some wood from the forests of another village, they pay a small fee called devsari, dand, or man in exchange. Here, "fee" is the appropriate term to describe the payment made for this purpose.