Study Chapter Details
The chapter “Forest Society and Colonialism” in the UP Board Class 9th Social Science Book (History) discusses how British colonial policies transformed India’s forests and the lives of forest-dwelling communities. It explains how the British introduced new forest laws to control resources for timber and revenue, leading to large-scale deforestation and the displacement of tribal people.
Students learn about commercial forestry, the impact of railways, and how traditional livelihoods like hunting, shifting cultivation, and gathering were restricted. The chapter also highlights tribal revolts and resistance movements, such as those in Bastar and Java, against colonial exploitation.
Aligned with the UP Board syllabus, this chapter helps students understand the deep connection between people and forests. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest management, environmental conservation, and the historical struggles of indigenous communities for their rights.
