What
problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
For
administrative and economic reasons, the British government tried
settling the jhum
or shifting cultivators. However, settled plough cultivation did not
prove to be helpful to these jhum
cultivators. They often suffered because their fields did not produce
good yields. The new forest laws also affected the lives of the
shifting cultivators. Shifting or jhum
cultivation is usually done on small patches of forest land. Under
the forest laws, the British extended their control over all forests
and declared that forests were state property. Thus, the jhum
cultivators were prevented from practising jhum
cultivation freely. Many were forced to move to other areas in search
of work and livelihood.
For administrative and economic reasons, the British government tried settling the jhum or shifting cultivators. However, settled plough cultivation did not prove to be helpful to these jhum cultivators. They often suffered because their fields did not produce good yields. The new forest laws also affected the lives of the shifting cultivators. Shifting or jhum cultivation is usually done on small patches of forest land. Under the forest laws, the British extended their control over all forests and declared that forests were state property. Thus, the jhum cultivators were prevented from practising jhum cultivation freely. Many were forced to move to other areas in search of work and livelihood.
