question_answer

?The battle between the hoe and the plough was a long one?. Substantiate the statement with reference to the Santhals and Paharis of Raj Mahal Hills during 18th century.

Answer:

Paharis were the main residents of the Rajmahal hills. They experience Jhoom cultivation. They are very close to nature. In 1770's the British embarked on a brutal policy of extermination, hunting the Paharias down and killing them. Then by the 1780's, Augustus Cleveland, proposed a policy of pacification. But this was refused by Paharias. As the Paharia pacification campaign continued, the Paharia withdrew deep into the mountains and carrying a war with outsider. But by this time there were new intimations of danger from Santhalls. Santhals were pouring into the area, clearing forest, cutting down timber, ploughing land and growing rice and cotton. As the lower hills were taken over Rajmahal hills. If Paharia life was symbolised by the Hoe the Santhals came to represent the power of Plough.