Class 9 Social Science NCERT MCQs-India and the Contemporary World - I-Chapter 4 Forest Society and Colonialism
NCERT MCQs of Class 9 Social Science (India and the Contemporary world-1) Chapter no 4 (Forest Society and Colonialism)
1) Which of the following was the primary purpose of forests during colonial rule in India?
(a) Recreation for officials
(b) Scientific research
(c) Timber production for railways and shipbuilding
(d) Wildlife preservation
Answer: (c) Timber production for railways and shipbuilding
Explanation: Forests were exploited for timber to build railways, ships, and infrastructure during colonial rule.
2) What was the 'scientific forestry' system introduced by the British?
(a) Planting multiple species of trees
(b) Cutting down all forests indiscriminately
(c) Managing forests for timber production with monoculture plantations
(d) Allowing villagers to use forest resources freely
Answer: (c) Managing forests for timber production with monoculture plantations
Explanation: Scientific forestry involved planting a single type of tree for commercial purposes while restricting villagers' access.
3) Which act was introduced by the British to control and manage forests in India?
(a) Forest Act of 1865
(b) Forest Act of 1878
(c) Forest Act of 1927
(d) Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
Answer: (b) Forest Act of 1878
Explanation: The Forest Act of 1878 divided forests into Reserved, Protected, and Village forests, curbing villagers' traditional rights.
4) What was the main reason behind the rise of commercial forestry under British rule?
(a) Preservation of biodiversity
(b) Expansion of agriculture
(c) Demand for timber for industrial purposes
(d) Hunting and recreational purposes
Answer: (c) Demand for timber for industrial purposes
Explanation: The British promoted commercial forestry to meet the timber demand for railways, industries, and construction.
5) Which of the following was a direct consequence of the Forest Act of 1878?
(a) Expansion of local agriculture
(b) Decrease in deforestation
(c) Restriction on villagers' access to forests
(d) Promotion of wildlife hunting
Answer: (c) Restriction on villagers' access to forests
Explanation: The Forest Act restricted traditional rights like grazing, fuelwood collection, and forest-based livelihoods.
6) Who were the Kalangs of Java?
(a) A tribal group in India
(b) Skilled forest cutters in Java
(c) British forest officers
(d) Environmental activists
Answer: (b) Skilled forest cutters in Java
Explanation: The Kalangs were an indigenous community in Java known for their expertise in cutting and managing forests.
7) Why were forests cleared on a large scale during colonial rule?
(a) To preserve wildlife
(b) For expanding railway networks and agriculture
(c) For scientific research
(d) To increase biodiversity
Answer: (b) For expanding railway networks and agriculture
Explanation: Forests were cleared for railway construction, plantation crops, and expanding agricultural lands.
8) What was 'taungya' cultivation?
(a) Growing mixed crops in forests
(b) A system of shifting cultivation in Burma
(c) Industrial farming in plantations
(d) Protecting natural forests from deforestation
Answer: (b) A system of shifting cultivation in Burma
Explanation: Taungya involved villagers growing crops temporarily in forests while the British managed plantations.
9) Which European country introduced the 'Blandongdiensten' system in Java?
(a) Britain
(b) France
(c) Portugal
(d) Netherlands
Answer: (d) Netherlands
Explanation: The Dutch introduced the Blandongdiensten system, requiring villagers to provide free labor for cutting trees and transporting timber.
10) What type of forest did the British categorize as 'Reserved'?
(a) Forests open for public use
(b) Forests for local community needs
(c) Forests for exclusive commercial exploitation
(d) Wildlife sanctuaries
Answer: (c) Forests for exclusive commercial exploitation
Explanation: Reserved forests were designated for timber production and denied public access.
11) What role did shifting cultivation play in the lives of tribal communities?
(a) It was a form of recreational farming
(b) It provided them with agricultural products and sustenance
(c) It was banned by colonial rulers to promote commercial forestry
(d) It led to large-scale deforestation
Answer: (b) It provided them with agricultural products and sustenance
Explanation: Shifting cultivation was a traditional farming method critical to the livelihood of tribal communities.
12) What is meant by 'deforestation'?
(a) Planting trees in barren areas
(b) Cutting down forests for non-forest activities
(c) Natural regeneration of forests
(d) Preservation of forests
Answer: (b) Cutting down forests for non-forest activities
Explanation: Deforestation refers to clearing forests for agriculture, urbanization, or commercial use.
13) Which crop was primarily grown in plantations established during colonial rule?
(a) Wheat
(b) Tea and coffee
(c) Maize
(d) Rice
Answer: (b) Tea and coffee
Explanation: The British set up large tea and coffee plantations to meet the growing global demand for these products.
14) What led to the rebellion of the Kalangs in Java?
(a) Restrictions on their forest rights by the Dutch
(b) Exploitation in plantation farming
(c) Introduction of cash crops
(d) Environmental concerns
Answer: (a) Restrictions on their forest rights by the Dutch
Explanation: The Kalangs rebelled against the Dutch colonial government for restricting their traditional rights over forests.
15) Which of the following was a consequence of large-scale deforestation during colonial rule?
(a) Preservation of biodiversity
(b) Expansion of urban areas
(c) Destruction of traditional livelihoods
(d) Decrease in agriculture
Answer: (c) Destruction of traditional livelihoods
Explanation: Deforestation disrupted the traditional way of life, especially for tribal and rural communities.
16) Why was shifting cultivation disapproved by colonial foresters?
(a) It increased biodiversity
(b) It destroyed valuable timber
(c) It required advanced tools
(d) It promoted plantation crops
Answer: (b) It destroyed valuable timber
Explanation: Shifting cultivation involved burning forests, which foresters viewed as a waste of commercial timber.
17) Which tree species were promoted under colonial commercial forestry?
(a) Teak and sal
(b) Bamboo and neem
(c) Oak and cedar
(d) Banyan and peepal
Answer: (a) Teak and sal
Explanation: Teak and sal were commercially valuable timber species preferred for railways and construction.
18) What was the primary objective of the Forest Act of 1878?
(a) Promoting afforestation
(b) Regulating forest exploitation and restricting local access
(c) Conserving wildlife
(d) Enhancing biodiversity
Answer: (b) Regulating forest exploitation and restricting local access
Explanation: The act allowed colonial authorities to control forest resources and limit villagers’ rights.
19) Which colonial power controlled forests in Java?
(a) British
(b) Dutch
(c) French
(d) Portuguese
Answer: (b) Dutch
Explanation: The Dutch colonial government implemented strict forest policies in Java.
20) What were 'Protected Forests' under the Forest Act of 1878?
(a) Reserved for wildlife conservation
(b) Reserved for timber extraction
(c) Open for controlled use by villagers
(d) Reforested areas
Answer: (c) Open for controlled use by villagers
Explanation: Protected forests allowed limited access for villagers under strict regulations.
21) Which of the following activities was restricted by the Forest Act of 1878?
(a) Hunting
(b) Collecting fuelwood and grazing cattle
(c) Growing commercial crops
(d) Building houses in forests
Answer: (b) Collecting fuelwood and grazing cattle
Explanation: The Forest Act restricted villagers from using forest resources for fuelwood and grazing, affecting their livelihood.
22) Which forest product was crucial for the colonial economy and war efforts?
(a) Bamboo
(b) Rubber
(c) Teak
(d) Sandalwood
Answer: (b) Rubber
Explanation: Rubber was essential for making tires and other war-related materials, especially during World Wars.
23) What was the main impact of forest laws on tribal communities?
(a) Increased income from forest products
(b) Loss of traditional rights and livelihoods
(c) Greater access to government assistance
(d) More employment opportunities
Answer: (b) Loss of traditional rights and livelihoods
Explanation: Forest laws deprived tribal communities of access to resources critical for their survival.
24) Which of the following was a reason for large-scale forest clearance under British rule?
(a) To plant medicinal herbs
(b) To establish railways and plantations
(c) To promote conservation efforts
(d) To expand wildlife sanctuaries
Answer: (b) To establish railways and plantations
Explanation: Forests were cleared to provide timber for railways and to grow plantation crops like tea and coffee.
25) Which of these was a consequence of shifting cultivation?
(a) Preservation of forest biodiversity
(b) Soil degradation and deforestation
(c) Expansion of urban areas
(d) Development of permanent settlements
Answer: (b) Soil degradation and deforestation
Explanation: Shifting cultivation involved clearing and burning forests, often leading to soil erosion and deforestation.
26) Why were plantations promoted during colonial rule?
(a) To reduce deforestation
(b) To grow cash crops for exports
(c) To conserve native species
(d) To provide grazing land for cattle
Answer: (b) To grow cash crops for exports
Explanation: Plantations focused on growing crops like tea, coffee, and rubber for commercial purposes and export.
27) What does 'Reserved Forest' signify under the colonial Forest Act?
(a) Forests reserved for conservation
(b) Forests restricted for villagers and open only to the government
(c) Forests used exclusively for agriculture
(d) Forests protected from deforestation
Answer: (b) Forests restricted for villagers and open only to the government
Explanation: Reserved forests were reserved for government use, primarily for timber extraction.
28) What is the significance of the Blandongdiensten system in Java?
(a) It allowed villagers to trade forest products freely
(b) It forced villagers to provide free labor for cutting and transporting timber
(c) It promoted afforestation by local communities
(d) It banned shifting cultivation
Answer: (b) It forced villagers to provide free labor for cutting and transporting timber
Explanation: The Dutch imposed the Blandongdiensten system to exploit forest resources using free labor.
29) Which region in India faced extensive deforestation due to commercial forestry during British rule?
(a) Western Ghats
(b) Sundarbans
(c) Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
(d) Rajasthan
Answer: (c) Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
Explanation: Tribal regions like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand saw extensive deforestation for timber and plantations.
30) What was the Kalanga Rebellion of 1770 in Java?
(a) A protest against shifting cultivation
(b) A revolt by the Kalangs against the Dutch colonial government
(c) A movement for wildlife conservation
(d) A strike by plantation workers
Answer: (b) A revolt by the Kalangs against the Dutch colonial government
Explanation: The Kalanga Rebellion was a protest against Dutch policies that restricted their forest rights.
31) Which forest product was considered critical for railway sleepers?
(a) Bamboo
(b) Sal wood
(c) Teak
(d) Mahogany
Answer: (c) Teak
Explanation: Teak wood’s strength and durability made it ideal for manufacturing railway sleepers.
32) Which British officer introduced the 'scientific forestry' system in India?
(a) Lord Dalhousie
(b) Dietrich Brandis
(c) Robert Clive
(d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: (b) Dietrich Brandis
Explanation: Dietrich Brandis, a German forester, introduced scientific forestry to manage forests for commercial timber production.
33) What is meant by 'taungya' farming?
(a) Growing crops alongside forests
(b) Temporary farming in forests followed by plantation
(c) Farming cash crops exclusively
(d) Planting multiple tree species
Answer: (b) Temporary farming in forests followed by plantation
Explanation: Taungya farming allowed villagers to grow crops temporarily in forests before turning the area into plantations.
34) Which forests were most affected by the colonial policies of deforestation?
(a) Mangrove forests
(b) Evergreen forests
(c) Deciduous forests
(d) Plantation forests
Answer: (c) Deciduous forests
Explanation: Deciduous forests, which provided high-quality timber, were cleared extensively during colonial rule.
35) What was the primary role of the Forest Department under colonial rule?
(a) Wildlife conservation
(b) Protecting tribal rights
(c) Managing forests for commercial exploitation
(d) Providing employment to villagers
Answer: (c) Managing forests for commercial exploitation
Explanation: The Forest Department focused on extracting timber and promoting monoculture plantations.
36) Which of these communities resisted the colonial forest policies in India?
(a) Santhals
(b) Mundas
(c) Bhils
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Several tribal communities, including Santhals, Mundas, and Bhils, resisted forest laws that restricted their access to resources.
37) What was a significant feature of scientific forestry?
(a) Allowing natural forest regeneration
(b) Promoting monoculture plantations for timber
(c) Encouraging villagers to grow native species
(d) Banning all forms of tree cutting
Answer: (b) Promoting monoculture plantations for timber
Explanation: Scientific forestry prioritized monoculture plantations of commercially valuable species.
38) Which country was known for its 'Blandongdiensten' labor system?
(a) India
(b) Java (Indonesia)
(c) Burma (Myanmar)
(d) Malaysia
Answer: (b) Java (Indonesia)
Explanation: The Dutch introduced the Blandongdiensten system in Java to exploit forests and labor.
39) How did colonial forest policies affect women in tribal communities?
(a) Increased access to forests
(b) Restricted collection of forest products like firewood
(c) Provided new employment opportunities
(d) Encouraged education
Answer: (b) Restricted collection of forest products like firewood
Explanation: Women faced hardships as colonial policies limited their ability to gather firewood, fruits, and medicinal herbs.
40) What was one major social impact of deforestation during colonial rule?
(a) Expansion of industrial towns
(b) Migration of tribals to urban areas as laborers
(c) Increase in agricultural land
(d) Revival of ancient practices
Answer: (b) Migration of tribals to urban areas as laborers
Explanation: Deforestation displaced many tribals, forcing them to migrate and work as laborers in cities or plantations.
41) Which tree species was extensively planted in scientific forestry for commercial purposes?
(a) Neem
(b) Sal
(c) Teak
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)
Explanation: Sal and teak were preferred by the colonial government for their commercial value and durability.
42) What was the primary reason for the displacement of tribal communities during colonial rule?
(a) Establishment of wildlife reserves
(b) Expansion of agriculture and plantations
(c) Urbanization and industrialization
(d) Reforestation efforts
Answer: (b) Expansion of agriculture and plantations
Explanation: Tribals were displaced as forests were cleared for plantations and commercial agriculture.
43) What is 'shifting cultivation' commonly referred to as in India?
(a) Jhumming
(b) Taungya
(c) Monoculture farming
(d) Terrace farming
Answer: (a) Jhumming
Explanation: Jhumming is a form of shifting cultivation practiced in the hilly regions of India.
44) What was the impact of the Forest Act on traditional hunters and gatherers?
(a) Increased access to forest resources
(b) Forced them to take up agriculture
(c) Denied them access to hunting and gathering areas
(d) Provided them with alternative employment
Answer: (c) Denied them access to hunting and gathering areas
Explanation: The Forest Act restricted access to forests, depriving hunters and gatherers of their traditional livelihood.
45) What was a significant ecological impact of monoculture plantations?
(a) Increased biodiversity
(b) Decreased soil fertility and ecological imbalance
(c) Preservation of native species
(d) Regeneration of forests
Answer: (b) Decreased soil fertility and ecological imbalance
Explanation: Monoculture plantations led to the depletion of nutrients and reduced biodiversity in forests.
46) Which term describes the process of bringing forests under state control for exploitation?
(a) Afforestation
(b) Forest nationalization
(c) Deforestation
(d) Scientific forestry
Answer: (b) Forest nationalization
Explanation: Forest nationalization involved bringing forests under government control for commercial exploitation.
47) Why were tribal revolts common against colonial forest policies?
(a) Excessive taxation on agricultural produce
(b) Restrictions on traditional forest rights and forced labor
(c) Disruption of trade routes
(d) Competition from British industries
Answer: (b) Restrictions on traditional forest rights and forced labor
Explanation: Tribals revolted due to the loss of access to forest resources and exploitation under systems like Blandongdiensten.
48) What was the main feature of the colonial ‘Reserved Forests’?
(a) Preserved for biodiversity conservation
(b) Open for villagers to collect forest products
(c) Restricted for government use, primarily for timber
(d) Protected for wildlife hunting
Answer: (c) Restricted for government use, primarily for timber
Explanation: Reserved forests were designated for commercial timber production, excluding public access.
49) Which European power influenced forest management policies in India?
(a) Dutch
(b) Portuguese
(c) French
(d) British
Answer: (d) British
Explanation: The British introduced forest management policies to exploit resources for their industries.
50) How did the Forest Act of 1878 divide forests?
(a) Reserved, Protected, and Village forests
(b) Agricultural, Commercial, and Urban forests
(c) Wildlife, Monoculture, and Mixed forests
(d) Dry, Wet, and Deciduous forests
Answer: (a) Reserved, Protected, and Village forests
Explanation: The Forest Act classified forests into Reserved (for government use), Protected (limited access), and Village (community use) categories.
51) What was the main objective of afforestation under British rule?
(a) Restoration of natural forests
(b) Cultivation of commercially valuable trees
(c) Preservation of tribal culture
(d) Promotion of biodiversity
Answer: (b) Cultivation of commercially valuable trees
Explanation: Afforestation under the British aimed to replace natural forests with monoculture plantations for timber.
52) Which community in Java protested against Dutch colonial policies?
(a) Bhils
(b) Kalangs
(c) Santhals
(d) Mundas
Answer: (b) Kalangs
Explanation: The Kalangs of Java resisted Dutch control over forests and their traditional rights.
53) What is the term for clearing forests to make way for agriculture and settlements?
(a) Reforestation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Forest degradation
(d) Terrace farming
Answer: (b) Deforestation
Explanation: Deforestation refers to the removal of forest cover for non-forest activities like agriculture.
54) What was the impact of deforestation on the environment during colonial rule?
(a) Enhanced biodiversity
(b) Loss of native species and soil erosion
(c) Increased rainfall
(d) Stabilization of ecosystems
Answer: (b) Loss of native species and soil erosion
Explanation: Large-scale deforestation disrupted ecosystems, leading to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.
55) What role did railways play in the deforestation of Indian forests?
(a) They minimized the use of wood
(b) They increased demand for timber for railway sleepers
(c) They promoted forest conservation
(d) They replaced forest areas with agricultural fields
Answer: (b) They increased demand for timber for railway sleepers
Explanation: Railways required a vast amount of timber for sleepers, driving large-scale deforestation.
56) How did the British use forests for their war efforts?
(a) To shelter soldiers
(b) To build ships and supply fuel
(c) To expand agricultural land
(d) To establish hunting reserves
Answer: (b) To build ships and supply fuel
Explanation: Timber from Indian forests was used for shipbuilding and fuel during wars.
57) What type of farming method was discouraged under colonial forest policies?
(a) Plantation farming
(b) Shifting cultivation
(c) Mixed cropping
(d) Subsistence farming
Answer: (b) Shifting cultivation
Explanation: Shifting cultivation was banned because it was seen as destructive to valuable timber resources.
58) What was a common punishment for villagers violating forest laws?
(a) Monetary fines
(b) Jail or forced labor
(c) Seizure of agricultural land
(d) Banishment from villages
Answer: (b) Jail or forced labor
Explanation: Violators of forest laws were often punished with imprisonment or forced labor.
59) How did tribal women resist colonial forest laws?
(a) Forming armed groups
(b) Collecting forest products secretly
(c) Leading protests against British officials
(d) Migrating to cities
Answer: (b) Collecting forest products secretly
Explanation: Tribal women often resisted by secretly gathering firewood, fruits, and herbs despite restrictions.
60) What was the primary aim of the Forest Department during British rule?
(a) Preserving wildlife
(b) Exploiting forests for economic gain
(c) Promoting reforestation
(d) Protecting tribal rights
Answer: (b) Exploiting forests for economic gain
Explanation: The Forest Department managed forests to maximize timber production and economic benefits.
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