History
Why Deforestation?
वनों की कटाई क्यों?
In this Class 9 History topic from “Forest Society and Colonialism,” students examine why forests were cleared and how colonial policies transformed forest use. They learn how railways, shipbuilding, commercial timber, plantations and expanding agriculture increased demand for wood and land. The topic also explores the effects on forest communities, shifting cultivators and pastoralists, including restrictions on customary rights, loss of livelihoods and resistance to state control. It helps students connect deforestation with colonial economic interests and social change.
Practice questions
How did railways and plantations put different pressures on forests?MediumLevel 51Why could soil erosion increase due to deforestation?MediumLevel 51Why would it be wrong to call British forest control only conservation?MediumLevel 51How did turning forest land into fields give double benefit to the colonial state?MediumLevel 51Which example shows the link between deforestation and colonial modernity?MediumLevel 51Which of the following changes did colonial officials encourage as a sign of ‘progress’?MediumLevel 51What is a strong basis for seeing deforestation as a human made process?MediumLevel 51How will you link agricultural expansion with the colonial economy?MediumLevel 51Why was local grazing arrangement affected by deforestation?MediumLevel 51How was the role of contractors linked with deforestation under colonial rule?MediumLevel 51Why was biodiversity threatened by deforestation?MediumLevel 51How will you connect the role of railways in deforestation with transport?MediumLevel 51Why was treating forest land as empty area harmful for local communities?MediumLevel 51Why did colonial forest laws restrict local peoples forest use?MediumLevel 51What shows the link between deforestation and the capitalist market?MediumLevel 51Which group correctly shows colonial causes of deforestation?MediumLevel 51Why was controlling forests an administrative decision under colonial rule?MediumLevel 51What was the relation between British naval power and deforestation?MediumLevel 51What is the clearest transport example among causes of deforestation?MediumLevel 51How is state interest visible in colonial forest policy?MediumLevel 51