Who challenged the state claim over forest ownership?

Correct answer: Surontiko Samin

Direct answer: Option A, Surontiko Samin. In the history of Java, Surontiko Samin questioned the Dutch claim that the state owned the forests. Begin with the basic idea: villagers had long used forests according to customary practices; the colonial government declared stronger ownership and imposed rules; Samin resisted this claim and encouraged people not to accept unjust authority in the usual way. Therefore option A is the relevant person. Option B, Lord Curzon, was a British colonial administrator associated with British India, not the Samin challenge in Java. Option C, James Mill, was a British historian and official, not the Java forest challenger named here. Option D, Napoleon, was a French ruler and has no connection with this specific movement. Do not confuse different colonial histories. Memory cue: Java’s challenge to state forest ownership is linked with Surontiko Samin.