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The term 'dacoity' is primarily associated with banditry occurring within Pakistan.
Answer: False
Explanation: While dacoity is a form of banditry, its primary geographical association, as indicated by the source material, is the Indian subcontinent, not exclusively Pakistan.
The term 'dacoity' is directly derived from the Hindi word 'dakaitī', which signifies robbery by a group of armed individuals.
Answer: True
Explanation: The English term 'dacoity' originates from the Hindi word 'dakaitī', which refers to the act of robbery committed by a band of dacoits (armed robbers).
The 'Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases' defines a 'dacoit' as an individual thief operating alone.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, the 'Hobson-Jobson' glossary defines a 'dacoit' as a member of an armed gang of robbers, not as a lone thief.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, dacoits were exclusively found in India.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Oxford English Dictionary definition of 'dacoit' includes members of armed robber bands found in both India and Burma, indicating they were not exclusively confined to India.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) extended the classification of 'dacoit' to encompass river pirates active on the Ganges.
Answer: True
Explanation: The OED's definition of 'dacoit' was broad enough to include not only land-based bandits but also maritime criminals, specifically mentioning river pirates operating on the Ganges.
The short description of the article defines 'dacoity' as organized smuggling.
Answer: False
Explanation: The short description defines 'dacoity' as 'banditry' in the Indian subcontinent, specifically referring to robbery by armed groups, not organized smuggling.
Based on the provided materials, what is the fundamental definition of 'dacoity'?
Answer: Robbery committed by groups of armed bandits.
Explanation: The core definition of 'dacoity' presented in the source material is robbery committed by groups of armed bandits, distinguishing it from other forms of crime.
What is the linguistic origin of the term 'dacoity'?
Answer: Hindi
Explanation: The term 'dacoity' is an anglicized form derived from the Hindi word 'dakaitī', which itself originates from 'dakū', meaning 'armed robber'.
According to the provided sources, which lexicographical work defines a 'dacoit' as a member of an armed gang of robbers prevalent in India and Burma?
Answer: The Oxford English Dictionary
Explanation: The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) provides this definition, characterizing dacoits as members of armed plundering bands found in India and Burma.
Besides land-based bandits, what other group did the OED describe as dacoits?
Answer: Pirates on the Ganges river
Explanation: The OED's definition of 'dacoit' was broad enough to include not only land-based bandits but also maritime criminals, specifically mentioning river pirates operating on the Ganges.
The East India Company established the Thuggee and Dacoity Department in 1830 to address prevalent criminal activities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical records indicate that the East India Company formally created the Thuggee and Dacoity Department in 1830, signifying an organized governmental response to these criminal enterprises.
The primary objective of the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts was to offer social welfare programs to bandit communities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts were designed as punitive and investigative measures to suppress criminal activities, not to provide social welfare.
Mark Brown interprets the East India Company's response to Thuggee as being intrinsically linked to anxieties arising from rapid colonial expansion.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brown's analysis posits that the Company's actions against Thuggee were a manifestation of broader anxieties concerning the swift and pervasive nature of British colonial consolidation in South Asia.
The Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts were intended to eliminate the reliance on informants in law enforcement.
Answer: False
Explanation: Conversely, the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts explicitly authorized the use of rewards to incentivize informants, thereby facilitating the apprehension of criminals.
The principal aim of the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts was the regulation of trade routes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary objective of the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts was the suppression of criminal activities, particularly 'thuggee' and dacoity, rather than the regulation of trade routes.
The Thuggee and Dacoity Department was established by the East India Company to formalize efforts against these crimes.
Answer: True
Explanation: The creation of the Thuggee and Dacoity Department in 1830 by the East India Company represented a structured and official approach to suppressing the widespread issues of thuggee and dacoity.
Which specific legislative framework did the East India Company implement to combat dacoity and related criminal activities?
Answer: The Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts (1836-1848)
Explanation: The East India Company enacted the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts, which were passed between 1836 and 1848, to provide legal mechanisms for suppressing these crimes.
What was the principal objective of the Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts?
Answer: To establish special courts and empower police to arrest suspects.
Explanation: The main objective of these acts was to establish specialized legal and enforcement mechanisms, including special courts and enhanced police powers, to effectively combat thuggee and dacoity.
According to Mark Brown's analysis, the East India Company's response to Thuggee is contextualized within which broader historical phenomenon?
Answer: Anxieties related to rapid British colonial expansion.
Explanation: Mark Brown posits that the Company's actions against Thuggee were influenced by anxieties stemming from the rapid and expansive nature of British colonial rule in South Asia.
Dacoits historically operated primarily in the densely populated plains of Punjab.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historical accounts suggest dacoits typically operated in regions offering natural cover, such as ravines or dense forests, rather than exclusively in the open plains of Punjab.
The Bhind and Morena districts are noted for experiencing a significant impact from dacoity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The districts of Bhind and Morena, situated in the Chambal region, are historically recognized as areas significantly affected by dacoity.
Feudal exploitation is considered the sole reason for the rise of dacoity in the Chambal valley.
Answer: False
Explanation: Feudal exploitation is identified as a significant factor, but not the sole reason; other elements like underdevelopment, poverty, and socio-cultural factors also contributed to the rise of dacoity in the Chambal valley.
Some Chambal dacoits gained local support by acting as 'social bandits', offering aid to the poor.
Answer: True
Explanation: Certain dacoits in the Chambal region cultivated local support by adopting the persona of 'social bandits', providing assistance to impoverished communities.
The decline of dacoity in Chambal was primarily due to the introduction of Western-style law enforcement.
Answer: False
Explanation: While law enforcement efforts were crucial, the decline was also attributed to social changes and a reduced willingness among youth to join banditry, alongside intensified anti-banditry campaigns.
Bengal's dacoits were typically members of specific hereditary bandit castes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Observations suggest that dacoits in Bengal differed from those elsewhere, as they were not typically bound by specific hereditary castes, social classes, or creeds.
In Nadia and Hooghly, dacoit gangs performed a ritualistic anointing ceremony before raids.
Answer: True
Explanation: Before embarking on raids, dacoit gangs in Nadia and Hooghly engaged in rituals, including anointing ceremonies, often led by their Sirdar.
Dacoit gangs in Burdwan relied heavily on informants to plan raids on wealthy targets.
Answer: True
Explanation: Dacoit gangs in Burdwan extensively utilized informants to identify potential targets, typically wealthy individuals or businesses, for their raids.
Historically, what geographical terrains were most conducive to the operations of dacoits in India?
Answer: Areas with ravines or dense forests
Explanation: Dacoits historically favored operating in regions characterized by difficult terrain, such as ravines or dense forests, which provided natural cover and facilitated evasion.
What confluence of socio-economic conditions is identified as a primary driver for the prevalence of dacoity in the Chambal valley?
Answer: Feudal exploitation, underdevelopment, and poverty
Explanation: The rise of dacoity in the Chambal valley is attributed to a combination of factors, including entrenched feudal exploitation, regional underdevelopment, and pervasive poverty.
The explanation for dacoity in the Chambal valley citing feudal exploitation is considered incomplete because:
Answer: Many dacoits came from higher castes and wealthier backgrounds.
Explanation: Feudal exploitation alone is insufficient as an explanation because many dacoits originated from higher castes and possessed considerable wealth, suggesting other motivations such as traditional honor codes and blood feuds were also significant.
What specific brutal methods were frequently employed by dacoits in the Chambal region to exert pressure on families for ransom?
Answer: By mutilating victims, such as cutting off fingers or ears.
Explanation: Dacoits in the Chambal valley often employed extreme violence, including mutilation such as cutting off fingers, noses, or ears, as a means to coerce families into paying ransom.
According to observations by C.H. Keighly, what was a distinguishing characteristic of dacoits in Bengal compared to those in other regions of India?
Answer: They did not belong to a specific social class, caste, or creed.
Explanation: Keighly noted that dacoits in Bengal were distinct in that their membership was not tied to a specific social class, caste, or creed, unlike the more defined groups found elsewhere.
Prior to undertaking raids, what specific ritualistic practice was observed among dacoit gangs in the Nadia and Hooghly districts?
Answer: A 'kalipuja' ritual led by the Sirdar
Explanation: In Nadia and Hooghly, dacoit gangs performed a 'kalipuja' ritual, led by their Sirdar, which involved anointing members and securing their commitment to silence.
What method did dacoit gangs in Burdwan predominantly utilize for intelligence gathering prior to executing raids?
Answer: Using informants to identify targets
Explanation: Dacoit gangs in Burdwan relied significantly on a network of informants to identify potential targets, typically wealthy individuals or businesses, for their raids.
Which of the following factors is explicitly contradicted by the provided text as a reason for the decline of dacoity in the Chambal region?
Answer: Increased willingness among youth to join bandit gangs.
Explanation: The text indicates that fewer young people were willing to join countryside bandit gangs, making 'increased willingness among youth' the factor that is NOT contributing to the decline.
The character Gabbar Singh Gujjar served as the primary inspiration for the 1961 Bollywood film 'Gunga Jumna'.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Gabbar Singh Gujjar was a significant figure, the source material indicates he inspired the 1975 film 'Sholay,' not the 1961 film 'Gunga Jumna'.
The notorious dacoit Man Singh was widely recognized by the epithet 'Tiger of Chambal'.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Man Singh was a prominent dacoit, his widely recognized moniker was the 'Lion of Chambal,' not the 'Tiger of Chambal'.
Malkhan Singh Rajpoot, also identified as 'Daku Man Singh', harbored political aspirations within the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Answer: True
Explanation: Malkhan Singh Rajpoot, a prominent bandit, was known to have pursued political ambitions in Madhya Pradesh during his active period.
Nirbhay Singh Gujjar held the distinction of being known as the 'King of Dacoits of Chambal'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Nirbhay Singh Gujjar was indeed recognized by the title 'King of Dacoits of Chambal', also referred to as 'Daketraj'.
Nizam Lohar achieved notoriety primarily for leading a rebellion against the Mughal Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Nizam Lohar's notoriety stems from his rebellion against the British colonial government, not against the Mughal Empire, which had already declined by his time.
Paan Singh Tomar, distinguished as both a former soldier and an accomplished athlete, transitioned into a 'Baaghi' (rebel) status as a consequence of experiencing significant injustices.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tomar's trajectory from military service and athletic achievement to becoming a rebel was precipitated by perceived injustices he faced.
Phoolan Devi, widely known as the 'Bandit Queen', commenced her rebellion primarily in response to societal injustices and personal experiences of rape.
Answer: True
Explanation: Devi's path to becoming a bandit leader was motivated by her experiences with severe societal injustices and sexual violence.
Rambabu Gadariya is recognized as the inaugural notorious dacoit associated with the Chambal region.
Answer: False
Explanation: The provided information identifies Rambabu Gadariya not as the first, but rather as the last notorious dacoit of the Chambal region.
The bandit group led by Ramashish Koeri in Bihar primarily received support from affluent landlords.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, Ramashish Koeri's group was supported by individuals from the lower strata of society, and they actively challenged exploitative landlords.
Koose Munusamy Veerappan, a notorious figure in South India, was implicated in the poaching of elephants and the smuggling of ivory.
Answer: True
Explanation: Veerappan's criminal activities extended to large-scale poaching of elephants and the illicit trade of ivory and sandalwood in the southern regions of India.
Koose Munusamy Veerappan's involvement in elephant poaching accounted for a minor proportion of the total elephant deaths within his operational territory.
Answer: False
Explanation: Veerappan's poaching activities were substantial, accounting for approximately 500 elephants, which represents a significant quarter of the estimated total deaths in the region, not a small fraction.
Which historical figure is recognized by the appellation 'Lion of Chambal'?
Answer: Man Singh
Explanation: Man Singh, a notable dacoit from the Rathore clan of Rajputs, earned the distinction of being known as the 'Lion of Chambal'.
Prior to his transformation into a rebel ('Baaghi'), what notable achievements did Paan Singh Tomar attain?
Answer: He was a decorated army soldier and represented India in the Asian Games.
Explanation: Paan Singh Tomar was a decorated soldier in the Indian Army and represented India in the Asian Games, showcasing significant athletic and military accomplishments before facing injustices that led him to become a rebel.
Phoolan Devi is widely recognized by which specific appellation?
Answer: The Bandit Queen
Explanation: Phoolan Devi is commonly known by the title 'Bandit Queen', reflecting her notoriety as a female bandit leader.
Identify the South Indian bandit notorious for engaging in elephant poaching and smuggling activities.
Answer: Veerappan
Explanation: Koose Munusamy Veerappan is the South Indian figure known for his extensive involvement in poaching elephants and smuggling valuable resources like ivory and sandalwood.
What specific criminal enterprises were attributed to Koose Munusamy Veerappan?
Answer: Elephant poaching, ivory smuggling, and sandalwood smuggling.
Explanation: Veerappan was primarily associated with large-scale elephant poaching and the illicit smuggling of ivory and sandalwood.
What specific criminal enterprises were attributed to Koose Munusamy Veerappan?
Answer: Elephant poaching, ivory smuggling, and sandalwood smuggling.
Explanation: Veerappan was primarily associated with large-scale elephant poaching and the illicit smuggling of ivory and sandalwood.
In popular fiction, Burmese dacoits were depicted as henchmen for the character Sherlock Holmes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source material indicates that Burmese dacoits were featured as henchmen for Dr. Fu Manchu in popular fiction, not for Sherlock Holmes.
The films 'Mother India' (1957) and 'Gunga Jumna' (1961) are recognized as highly influential works within the dacoit film genre.
Answer: True
Explanation: These films played a significant role in shaping and popularizing the dacoit film genre in Hindi cinema, building upon earlier foundations.
The cinematic work 'Sholay' is regarded as a quintessential example of the 'curry Western' genre.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Sholay' is indeed considered a prime example of the 'curry Western' genre, a term used to describe films that blend Indian dacoit themes with the aesthetics of the Spaghetti Western.
The 1994 film 'Bandit Queen' achieved significant international recognition within the cinematic genre focused on dacoity.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Bandit Queen' is frequently cited as an example of a dacoit film that garnered considerable international acclaim and critical attention.
The Tamil film 'Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru' is centered on fictional banditry occurring in the northern regions of India.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, 'Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru' is based on real dacoity incidents that took place in Tamil Nadu, not fictional banditry in North India.
Rabindranath Tagore's poem 'Birpurush' does not include any depiction or mention of dacoits.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source material explicitly states that dacoits are featured in Rabindranath Tagore's poem 'Birpurush', contradicting the assertion that they are absent.
The video game 'Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties' includes characters identified as dacoits.
Answer: True
Explanation: Within the game 'Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties', dacoits are present as characters, typically depicted as armed combatants.
Within the 'Bob Morane' series of novels, dacoits are frequently depicted as subordinates to the antagonist, Mr. Ming.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Bob Morane' novels by Henri Vernes commonly feature dacoits acting as the primary henchmen for the recurring villain, Mr. Ming.
The image caption 'A family of dacoits' likely refers to a modern depiction of bandits.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image caption 'A family of dacoits' refers to a historical photograph, likely from the early 1900s, depicting a family identified as dacoits, not a modern representation.
The 'dacoit Western' genre combines elements of Indian bandit films and Japanese samurai cinema.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'dacoit Western' or 'curry Western' genre primarily combines elements of Indian dacoit films with Spaghetti Westerns, and also draws influence from Japanese samurai cinema like Kurosawa's works, but the core blend is Indian banditry and Westerns.
According to the provided text, in which specific story by Rudyard Kipling do Burmese dacoits feature?
Answer: The Taking of Lungtungpen
Explanation: Burmese dacoits are mentioned as appearing in Rudyard Kipling's story titled 'The Taking of Lungtungpen'.
Which highly successful Bollywood film, released in 1975 and drawing inspiration from real dacoit figures, achieved significant cultural impact?
Answer: Sholay
Explanation: The 1975 film 'Sholay,' inspired by the exploits of dacoits like Gabbar Singh Gujjar, is recognized as a major hit and a landmark in Bollywood cinema.
The emergence of the 'dacoit film' genre in Hindi cinema is generally dated to which period?
Answer: 1940-1970
Explanation: This specific genre of filmmaking, focusing on bandit narratives, primarily emerged and flourished between the 1940s and 1970s.
Which prominent Bengali novel, as cited in the provided material, includes dacoits within its narrative?
Answer: Devi Chaudhurani
Explanation: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel 'Devi Chaudhurani' is mentioned as a literary work featuring dacoits.
Beyond its roots in the dacoit film genre, 'Sholay' is recognized for its significant incorporation of elements from which international film genre?
Answer: Spaghetti Western
Explanation: 'Sholay' masterfully blended traditional Indian dacoit film narratives with stylistic and thematic elements characteristic of the Spaghetti Western genre.
What Tamil cinematic production meticulously portrays actual dacoity incidents that transpired between 1995 and 2005?
Answer: Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru
Explanation: The Tamil film 'Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru' is noted for its detailed depiction of real dacoity cases investigated and resolved by the Tamil Nadu Police during the specified period.
In which specific video game are characters identified as 'dacoits' featured?
Answer: Age of Empires III: Asian Dynasties
Explanation: The video game 'Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties' includes characters designated as 'dacoits', typically depicted as armed adversaries.
What does the image caption 'Daku (Dacoit) written in Samrup Rachna Calligraphy' signify?
Answer: It displays the word 'Daku' in a specific artistic script.
Explanation: This caption indicates that the accompanying image displays the word 'Daku' (meaning Dacoit) rendered artistically in the specific script known as Samrup Rachna calligraphy.
The emergence of the 'dacoit film' genre in Hindi cinema is generally dated to which period?
Answer: 1940-1970
Explanation: This specific genre of filmmaking, focusing on bandit narratives, primarily emerged and flourished between the 1940s and 1970s.
The Sirdar in Bengal dacoit gangs primarily acted as financial auditors.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sirdar's role was primarily that of a charismatic leader who provided essential support, such as loans and protection, rather than performing financial audits.
The police abbreviation 'K.D.' is utilized in India to denote individuals classified as 'Known Dacoits'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The designation 'K.D.' is a standard police classification in India, signifying an individual recognized by law enforcement as a 'Known Dacoit'.
In the state of Madhya Pradesh, specific measures have been implemented involving the issuance of firearms to women for self-defense against dacoity.
Answer: True
Explanation: To enhance security against dacoity, women in certain villages in Madhya Pradesh have been granted firearm permits as part of defense initiatives.
What was the primary function of the Sirdar within the organizational structure of dacoit gangs in Bengal?
Answer: He acted as a charismatic leader providing loans and protection.
Explanation: The Sirdar served as a charismatic leader, offering financial support through loans and providing protection, which fostered strong loyalty among gang members.
What is the meaning of the police abbreviation 'K.D.' as employed within the Indian law enforcement context?
Answer: Known Dacoit
Explanation: In India, the abbreviation 'K.D.' is used by police forces to identify individuals classified as 'Known Dacoits'.