1. What was the main reason for large-scale deforestation during British rule in India?
A) Expansion of agriculture
B) Construction of railways
C) Increase in population
D) Industrialization
➥ Answer: B) Construction of railways
2. Which of the following was a major effect of the Forest Act of 1878?
A) Villagers were allowed to freely use forest resources
B) Forests were divided into reserved, protected, and village forests
C) All forests were declared private property of landlords
D) The practice of shifting cultivation was encouraged
➥ Answer: B) Forests were divided into reserved, protected, and village forests
3. What was the primary role of the Forest Department established by the British?
A) To encourage local communities to use forests
B) To protect tribal rights over forests
C) To manage forest resources for British economic benefits
D) To promote biodiversity conservation
➥ Answer: C) To manage forest resources for British economic benefits
4. Why did the British promote commercial forestry in India?
A) To protect wildlife
B) To ensure continuous supply of timber for industries and railways
C) To support tribal communities
D) To increase soil fertility
➥ Answer: B) To ensure continuous supply of timber for industries and railways
5. Which tribal rebellion was a direct result of colonial forest laws restricting forest use?
A) Revolt of 1857
B) Santhal Rebellion
C) Munda Rebellion
D) Bastar Rebellion
➥ Answer: D) Bastar Rebellion
6. How did the British Forest Acts impact the lives of forest dwellers?
A) Improved their livelihood opportunities
B) Encouraged their participation in forest conservation
C) Restricted their access to forests and traditional practices
D) Provided them land rights over forests
➥ Answer: C) Restricted their access to forests and traditional practices
7. Which of the following trees were promoted by the British for commercial forestry?
A) Neem and Peepal
B) Sal and Teak
C) Mango and Guava
D) Bamboo and Coconut
➥ Answer: B) Sal and Teak
8. What was the main aim of the scientific forestry system introduced by the British?
A) Conservation of natural forests
B) Encouraging local community participation
C) Maximizing timber production
D) Reducing deforestation
➥ Answer: C) Maximizing timber production
9. What was the impact of the introduction of railway lines on forests in India?
A) Increased biodiversity in forests
B) Encouraged afforestation
C) Led to large-scale deforestation for timber
D) Reduced timber demand
➥ Answer: C) Led to large-scale deforestation for timber
10. Why did the British ban shifting cultivation?
A) To prevent soil erosion
B) To protect the interests of industrialists
C) To ensure a steady supply of timber
D) To encourage the use of modern agriculture
➥ Answer: C) To ensure a steady supply of timber
11. Which community in India was known for practicing shifting cultivation?
A) Brahmins
B) Nomadic Pastoralists
C) Tribals
D) Zamindars
➥ Answer: C) Tribals
12. Who were the Kalangs of Java?
A) Dutch rulers
B) Nomadic traders
C) Skilled forest-cutters
D) Peasants
➥ Answer: C) Skilled forest-cutters
13. Which European power controlled the forests of Java?
A) British
B) Portuguese
C) Dutch
D) French
➥ Answer: C) Dutch
14. How did the World Wars affect Indian forests?
A) Deforestation increased to meet war demands
B) British started afforestation programs
C) Forests were declared protected areas
D) Forest laws were abolished
➥ Answer: A) Deforestation increased to meet war demands
15. What was the main duty of the ‘Forest Guards’ appointed by the British?
A) To plant more trees
B) To assist tribals in agriculture
C) To prevent local people from using forests
D) To protect wildlife
➥ Answer: C) To prevent local people from using forests
16. Which of the following was a major consequence of British forest policies?
A) Increase in local community participation
B) Loss of tribal livelihood and displacement
C) Expansion of Indian industries
D) Protection of forest lands
➥ Answer: B) Loss of tribal livelihood and displacement
17. In which year was the Indian Forest Act passed?
A) 1857
B) 1878
C) 1885
D) 1919
➥ Answer: B) 1878
18. What was the impact of colonial forest policies on Indian agriculture?
A) It reduced dependence on forest products
B) It led to the expansion of commercial farming
C) It restricted the availability of agricultural land for farmers
D) It encouraged the use of modern tools
➥ Answer: C) It restricted the availability of agricultural land for farmers
19. What was the Dutch policy regarding forests in Java?
A) Encouraged shifting cultivation
B) Allowed local people to freely access forests
C) Controlled forest use to maximize timber profits
D) Focused on wildlife conservation
➥ Answer: C) Controlled forest use to maximize timber profits
20. Which of the following best describes ‘scientific forestry’?
A) A system where natural forests were protected
B) A method that replaced diverse forests with single-species plantations
C) A practice promoting tribal agriculture
D) A traditional system of sustainable forest management
➥ Answer: B) A method that replaced diverse forests with single-species plantations
21. Which act declared shifting cultivation illegal in many regions?
A) Forest Act of 1865
B) Forest Act of 1878
C) Land Acquisition Act of 1894
D) Forest Act of 1904
➥ Answer: B) Forest Act of 1878
22. What was the main reason tribals opposed the Forest Laws?
A) It encouraged deforestation
B) It allowed them to own forest lands
C) It restricted their access to resources for survival
D) It introduced modern farming techniques
➥ Answer: C) It restricted their access to resources for survival
23. Why did the British introduce ‘taungya’ system in India?
A) To increase tribal participation in farming
B) To grow commercial crops like cotton
C) To ensure labor availability for forest plantations
D) To prevent soil erosion
➥ Answer: C) To ensure labor availability for forest plantations
24. What was the major demand of tribal movements against British rule?
A) The right to own land and forests
B) Better education facilities
C) More government jobs
D) Establishment of industries
➥ Answer: A) The right to own land and forests
25. Which tree was extensively used for making railway sleepers?
A) Mango
B) Teak
C) Bamboo
D) Banyan
➥ Answer: B) Teak