Question

Before the colonial period, agriculture was carried out in a traditional manner in the forest areas. It was

also known as shifting cultivation (Jhoom System). Under this system a portion of forest was cleared by

cutting and burning the trees. After the monsoon, seeds were sown and the crops were harvested in

October or November. This particular portion of the forest was used for cultivation for two or three years.

After that, this part of the forest was left 17-18 years for forestation and another portion of the forest was

selected for cultivation. Besides this, there was another type of cultivation known as ‘Mixed Cultivation’. In

this way of cultivation, seeds of two-three corps were mixed and sown i.e. Millet (Bajra) and Jowar

(Sarghum) together. Though, the British government banned the shifting cultivation (Jhoom System) by

imposing Forest Laws, and at the same time, they encouraged commercial crops. This led to the spread of

resentment amongst the forest dwellers.

Answer the following questions after reading the paragraph:

1) In which farming practice some part of the forest was cut down and set on fire?

2) What types of crops are grown in mixed farming?

3) Which crops did the British government promote in agriculture when it banned Jhoom and

conventional farming through laws?

4) When trees are planted in a land, according to an estimate, in how many years does the forest

grow there?​

Answer 1

Answer:

1 = shifting cultivation

2=bajra , jowar

3=commercial crops like indigo which led to indigo revolution in 1850's

4=17 to 18