Who were Paharias?

Who were Paharias?

The cultivators of Deccan
The forest dwellers of Rajmahal Hills
The landless labours working under Zamindars
The stonecutters employed with the East India Company
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
Paharias were the forest dwellers of Rajmahal Hills.
The Paharias are a tribal community historically inhabiting the Rajmahal Hills region in present-day Jharkhand. They practiced shifting cultivation and lived in close connection with the forest, often resisting attempts by outsiders, including the British, to encroach upon their territory and lifestyle.
Colonial records, such as those compiled by Francis Buchanan, provide insights into the lives and relationship between the British, the Paharias, and another agricultural community in the region, the Santhals.