NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter-4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision

Author at PW
October 24, 2025
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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 4

Class 8 History Chapter 4, titled “Tribal, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age”, is about the life of tribal communities in India and how they faced challenges when outsiders, called dikus, started to interfere with their lands and resources. The chapter explains the struggles of tribes to protect their forests, lands, and way of life. It also discusses their resistance, local leaders, and how they imagined a better future, which is called the vision of a golden age. Students learn about different tribal movements and the ways communities tried to preserve their culture and independence.

For students preparing for exams, it is very important to go through this chapter carefully because most questions are directly based on the NCERT text. Solving the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 4 helps in understanding the key events, leaders, and ideas mentioned in the chapter. By practicing the class 8th history chapter 4 question answer sets, students can be confident while attempting questions in exams. The solutions provide clear and simple explanations of all important points, making it easier to remember facts about tribals, dikus, and their vision of a golden age. Get the full NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 4 question answer here.

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Class 8 History Chapter 4 Question Answer

Go through the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter-4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision here:-

Let's Recall

Q1. Fill in the blanks:

a) The British described the tribal people as __________

b) The method of sowing seeds in Jhum cultivation in India is known as ______

c) The tribal chiefs got _______titles in central India under the British land settlement.

d) Tribals went to work in the _________ of Assam and the _______in Bihar.

Ans. (a) wild nomads, shifting cultivators (b) shifting cultivation (c) Sirdars (leaders) (d) tea gardens, indigo plantations.

Q2. State whether true or false:

a) Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds.

b) Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price.

c) Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery.

d) The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life.

Ans. (a) True (b) True (c) True (d) False.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 1 

Let's Discuss

Q3. What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?

Ans. The problems faced by shifting cultivators under British rule were:

  1. They had to give up their traditional way of life.

  2. They had to practice settled plough cultivation which was not easy.

  3. They had to face the scarcity of water and dry soil. Their land was measured; the rights of each individual to that land were defined.

  4. The revenue demand for the state was fixed.

Q4. How did the powers of the tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?

Ans. Following were the changes in the powers of tribal chiefs under colonial rule:

  1. They were allowed to keep their land titles over a cluster of villages and rent out lands, but they lost much of their administrative power and were forced to follow laws made by British officials in India.

  2. They also had to pay tribute to the British.

  3. They had to discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British.

  4. They were unable to fulfill their traditional functions.

Q5. What accounts for the anger of Tribals against the dikus?

Ans. The forest law, introduced by the Britishers was the accounts of the anger of the tribals. The tribals disobeyed these new forest laws/rules, and continued with the practices that were declared illegal and at time rose in open rebellion.

Q.6. What was Birsa’s vision of golden age? Why do you think such a vision appealed to the people of the region?

Ans. Birsa’s vision of a golden age was:

  1. To free the Mundas from the oppression of Dikus.

  2. To restore the ancestral rights of the community.

  3. To see themselves as the descendants of the original settlers of the region, fighting for their land, reminding people of the need to win back their region.

I think such a vision appealed to the people of the region because it reminded them of a golden age in the past when Mundas lived a good life, constructed embayment, tapped natural spring, planted trees and orchards, practiced cultivations to earn their living. They could now again live a life of brother and relative.

Q7. Find out from your parents, friends or teacher, the names of some heroes of other tribal revolts of the 20th Century. Write their story in your own word.

Ans. Try it yourself.

Guidelines: Explore the internet to know about any tribal revolt which occurred in the 20th century. Find out the cause, main leaders and events leading to the revolt. At the end collect the data in brief and write it on your notebook.

Q8. Choose any tribal group living in India today. Find out about their customs and way of life and how their lives have changed in the last 50 years.

Ans. Among the tribal groups the Santhals have well organized social structure. Some of the customs and ways of life of tribal people were the following:

  1. Most of the tribals are ignorant about the outside world and are happy with their own customs, beliefs and culture.

  2. The tribal women are fond of wearing jewelry which is made of animal or forest products.

  3. Tribals are fond of diverse forms of dances and music.

  4. The tribals are engaged in varieties of activities:

  • Some of them practiced shifting cultivation.

  • Some are hunter-gatherers.

  • Some reared animals.

  • They worshipped the force of nature. The life tribals changed significantly after independence. They have now become an integral part of the society. Some have taken many measures for the upliftment.

Read MoreNCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 2

Class 8 History Chapter-4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision Summary

Go through the quick summary of Class 8 History Chapter-4:-

  • The chapter talks about tribals and their way of life in forests and hilly areas of India. They had their own customs, rules, and economy.

  • Dikus (outsiders, traders, landlords, and colonial officials) started interfering in tribal lands, taking forests, and introducing new laws that affected their lives.

  • The Chotanagpur uprising was one major event where tribals protested against landlords and British policies that took their land.

  • The Munda tribal rebellion led by Birsa Munda was another important event. Tribals demanded the return of their land and a society free from exploitation.

  • Tribals resisted the dikus using protests, boycotts, and local movements to protect forests, land, and traditional practices.

  • They had a vision of a better future, called the vision of a golden age, where they could live freely and maintain their culture.

  • Tribals like Birsa Munda became symbols of resistance and hope for other tribal communities.

  • Students should focus on these events while studying Class 8 History Chapter 4 question answer sets.

  • Practicing tribals, dikus, and the vision of a golden age question answer helps understand the struggles, strategies, and leadership of tribals.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3

Benefits of Solving NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 4

Go through the Benefits of Solving NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 4:-

  1. Understand Important Events – Solving class 8 history chapter 4 question answer helps students learn about tribals, dikus, and their struggles clearly.

  2. Prepare for Exams – Most exam questions come directly from the NCERT textbook. Practising class 8th history chapter 4 question answer makes it easier to answer correctly.

  3. Remember Key Leaders and Movements – Students get familiar with important tribal leaders and revolts mentioned in tribals, dikus and the vision of a golden age question answer.

  4. Build Confidence – Regular practice helps students feel ready for exams and answer questions with confidence.

  5. Complete Chapter Understanding – Using the class 8 history chapter 4 question answer ensures no important points are missed, helping students revise effectively.

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Class 8 History Chapter 4 FAQs

1. What is the main theme of Class 8 History Chapter 4?

The chapter focuses on tribals, their way of life, struggles against outsiders called dikus, and their vision of a better society, known as the vision of a golden age.

2. Who were the dikus mentioned in this chapter?

Dikus were outsiders like traders, landlords, and colonial officials who interfered in tribal lands and forests, affecting their traditional life.

3. Why did the tribals resist the dikus?

The tribals resisted to protect their forests, land, and culture from outsiders. They wanted to live freely without exploitation.

4. Who was Birsa Munda?

Birsa Munda was a tribal leader who led revolts against British policies and landlords. He is an important figure in tribals, dikus and the vision of a golden age question answer sets.

5. What is meant by the vision of a golden age?

It was the tribals’ dream of a society where they could live peacefully, keep their land, and maintain their culture without interference from outsiders.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter-4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision