The question asks for the approximate number of tribal people in India according to the 1971 census, given that they constituted nearly 6.9% of the Indian population. This is a factual recall question related to Indian demography and census data.
Correct Option: A) The 1971 census indeed recorded over 400 tribal communities numbering nearly 38 million people, constituting nearly 6.9 per cent of the Indian population. This is a well-documented historical demographic fact.
The question asks to identify the communities/tribes known for an annual month-long ecological campaign involving planting fruit-bearing trees. This requires knowledge of specific tribal practices related to environmental conservation in India.
B) Gond and Korku: These tribes, particularly in regions like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, have a tradition of celebrating festivals like "Hari Jiroti" or "Hariyali Amavasya" during the monsoon. During this period, they plant fruit-bearing trees and perform rituals to protect forests, aligning perfectly with the description of a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival.
The question asks to identify the groups of people who invaded tribal areas and disrupted their traditional way of life. This refers to the historical context of British colonial rule in India and its impact on tribal communities. During this period, various external elements exploited tribal resources and altered their social and economic structures.
Correct Option: D) All the above. Money-lenders, traders, and revenue farmers/petty officials all played significant roles in invading tribal areas and disrupting their traditional way of life during the colonial period. Their combined actions led to economic exploitation, land alienation, and social disruption among tribal communities.
The question asks to identify the individual who significantly influenced the Indian government's policies towards tribal communities. This requires knowledge of key figures involved in tribal welfare and policy-making in post-independence India.
Correct Option: C) Verrier Elwin was a key figure whose anthropological work and advocacy profoundly shaped the new Indian government's policies towards tribal communities, particularly under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His approach emphasized preserving tribal culture and identity while facilitating their development.
The question asks about the primary resource that tribal people historically depended on for various necessities like food, fuel, cattle feed, and raw materials for handicrafts. We need to identify which of the given options best fits this description of a comprehensive resource for tribal communities.
Correct Option: B) Forest
Tribal communities have historically lived in and around forests. The forest provides them with a wide array of resources essential for their survival and cultural practices. They gather food like fruits, roots, and honey; collect firewood for cooking and heating; graze their cattle; and obtain materials like wood, bamboo, leaves, and natural fibers to create tools, shelters, and handicrafts. This deep connection makes the forest their primary source of livelihood.
The question asks for the reasons behind tribal uprisings in India during the 19th and 20th centuries. We need to evaluate each given option to determine if it contributed to these uprisings.
All the mentioned factors—loss of land, indebtedness, exploitation by middlemen, and denial of access to forests—were indeed significant and interconnected reasons for the numerous tribal uprisings witnessed in India during the 19th and 20th centuries.
D) All the above. All the options (a, b, c, and d) represent valid and well-documented causes of tribal uprisings during the specified period. These factors collectively disrupted tribal economies, societies, and cultures, leading to widespread resistance.