Important Questions: Tribes, Nomads & Settled Communities - UPSC MCQ

Nomads are wandering people. Many of them are pastoralists who roam from one pasture to another with their flocks and herds.

Itinerant groups, such as craftspersons, pedlars and entertainers travel from place to place practising their different occupations. Both nomads and itinerant groups often visit the same places every. 
Except Industrialist rest all are Itinerant groups.

The correct option is B.
Bhil art is tribal art of the Bhil tribes in India. The Bhils are the second largest tribe in India who reside in western and central India, in states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. ... Tribal art has gained popularity in recent years because of its simple and bold creations.

Specialised artisans- smiths, carpenters and masons—were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas. Jatis, rather than vama, became the basis for organizing society Among the Kshatriyas, new Rajput clans became powerful by the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

The correct answer is C: Gondwana.
Explanation:
The Gonds lived in a vast forested region called Gondwana. Here are the details:
- Gondwana is the correct term for the region where the Gonds lived.
- Gondwana is a word derived from the combination of "Gond" (the name of the tribe) and "wana" (meaning forest or land).
- It refers to a large area of central India, encompassing parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
- Gondwana was known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity.
- The Gonds, who are one of the largest tribal communities in India, have a deep connection with the land and forests of Gondwana.
- They have a unique culture, language, and traditions that are closely tied to their natural surroundings.
In summary, the Gonds lived in the region of Gondwana, which was a vast forested area in central India.

Shifting Cultivation:
Shifting cultivation is a type of agricultural practice where trees and bushes in a forest area are cut and burnt, and the crop is sown in the ashes. This method is used when the land loses its fertility and a new plot of land is cleared and planted in the same way.
Advantages of Shifting Cultivation:
- Allows farmers to make use of fertile land without the need for expensive inputs such as fertilizers.
- Provides farmers with a variety of crops and improves biodiversity.
- Helps in forest regeneration and allows for the natural regeneration of trees and vegetation.
- Can be adapted to local environmental conditions and cultural practices.
Disadvantages of Shifting Cultivation:
- It can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity if not practiced sustainably.
- The fertility of the land may decrease over time, leading to reduced crop yields.
- It requires large areas of land, which may not be available in densely populated areas.
- It can contribute to soil erosion if proper land management practices are not followed.
Overall, shifting cultivation is a traditional method of agriculture that has been practiced for centuries in various parts of the world. While it has its advantages, it is important to practice it sustainably to minimize its negative impact on the environment.

Administration of Gondwana was becoming centralised. The kingdom was divided into garh, each garh was controlled by a particular Gond clan. This was further divided into units of 84 villages called chourasi. The chourasi was further subdivided into barhots which are made up of 12 villages each.

The correct option is Option B. 
Gond is a tribe in the central part of India. The emergence of large states changed the nature of Gond society. Their basically equal society gradually got divided into unequal social classes. Brahmanas received land grants from the Gond rajas and became more influential. The Gond chiefs now wished to be recognised as Rajputs. So, Aman Das, the Gond raja of Garha Katanga, assumed the title of Sangram Shah. His son, Dalpat, married princess Durgawati, the daughter of Salbahan, the Chandel Rajput raja of Mahoba. Bir Narain was the son of Rani Durgawati.
 

To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze the given options and identify the correct one based on the information provided.
Analysis:
Durgawati was the daughter of a Chandel Rajput raja. Let's evaluate each option to determine the correct answer:
Option A: Salbahan, the Chandel Rajput raja
- This option states that Durgawati was the daughter of Salbahan, who was a Chandel Rajput raja.
Option B: Ram Das, the Chandel Rajput raja
- This option states that Durgawati was the daughter of Ram Das, who was a Chandel Rajput raja.
Option C: Dalpat, the Chandel Rajput raja
- This option states that Durgawati was the daughter of Dalpat, who was a Chandel Rajput raja.
Option D: Aman Das, the Chandel Rajput raja
- This option states that Durgawati was the daughter of Aman Das, who was a Chandel Rajput raja.
Conclusion:
Based on the given information, the correct answer is Option A: Salbahan, the Chandel Rajput raja.

In the early 19th century the state became part of the Central Provinces and Berar under the British Raj, and acceded to the Union of India on 1 January 1948, to become part of Madhya Pradesh in 1956, and later part of the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state in 2000.

The Banjaras were the most important trader nomads. Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets. Emperor Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the Banjaras carried grain on their bullocks from different areas and sold it in towns. They transported food grain for the Mughal army during military campaigns. With a large army there could be 100,000 bullocks carrying grain.

The correct option is B.
 Among the kshatriyas, new rajput clans became powerful by 1th and 12th centuries. Many of the clans came to be regarded as rajputs.

The Gonds kingdom was granted by the Mughals to Chandra Shah.
Explanation:
The Gonds were an indigenous tribe in central India who established their own kingdom during the medieval period. During the reign of the Mughals, the Gonds were one of the many regional powers in India. The Mughals had a policy of granting kingdoms and territories to different rulers and nobles in order to maintain control and stability.
- Chandra Shah: He was a Gond ruler who was granted the Gonds kingdom by the Mughals. He played a significant role in the politics of the region and maintained a semi-autonomous status under the Mughal Empire.
- Bir Narain: Bir Narain was not granted the Gonds kingdom by the Mughals.
- Dalpat: Dalpat was not granted the Gonds kingdom by the Mughals.
- Durgawati: Durgawati was not granted the Gonds kingdom by the Mughals.
It is important to note that the Gonds kingdom was not a single unified entity, but rather a collection of smaller principalities ruled by different Gond chiefs. Chandra Shah was one of the prominent Gond rulers who gained recognition and autonomy under the Mughal administration.

The correct option is C.
Bhuiyan was a title used to refer to a landlord or chieftain. It originates from the Sanskrit word, Bhumi, meaning 'land'.

The forced labor system in the Ahom state had a specific term for those who were made to work for the state. They were known as "Paiks."
Here is a detailed explanation of the answer:
1. Introduction:
- The Ahom state was a kingdom in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent.
- The state relied heavily on forced labor to carry out various tasks and projects.
2. Forced Labor in the Ahom State:
- The Ahom state had a complex system of forced labor where individuals were obliged to work for the state.
- This labor was often used for infrastructure development, agricultural activities, and military campaigns.
3. The Term for Forced Laborers:
- The individuals who were forced to work for the state in the Ahom kingdom were referred to as "Paiks."
- The term "Paik" can be translated as "servant" or "worker" in English.
4. Role of Paiks:
- The Paiks were assigned various tasks based on the needs of the state.
- They could be engaged in activities such as clearing forests, constructing roads, building forts, and serving in the military.
5. Significance of Forced Labor:
- Forced labor played a crucial role in the functioning of the Ahom state.
- It provided the necessary workforce for the state's development and expansion.
- The laborers were not paid wages but were instead given certain privileges and exemptions from taxes.
In conclusion, the forced laborers in the Ahom state were known as "Paiks." They played a significant role in the development and functioning of the state, carrying out various tasks and projects as obligated by the state.

The (Uipo) Khoibu /ˌuɪː pə͜ʊ ˈkʰɔɪ buː/ are a community of Manipur.[1] They speak the Khoibu language/dialect and call themselves "Uipo". Neighbouring Tangkhul villagers call them ‘Apo’ . Marings call the "Uipowaa". They were called ‘Upong’ in the Inthee (believed to be so called ‘Ningthee’ in Meiteilon and ‘Chindwin’ in English) basin civilization.

The correct option is D.
It was the state religion of the Ahom kingdom in the initial period. The Ahom kingdom expanded suddenly in the 16th-century and the Ahom peoples became a small minority in their own kingdom—though they continued to wield control. ... In the 1931 survey, all Ahoms listed Hinduism as their religion.

Societies that did not follow the social rules and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas and were not divided into numerous unequal classes are often called Tribes.
Explanation:
- The Brahmanas were a class of priests in ancient Indian society who were responsible for maintaining and enforcing the social rules and rituals.
- The social rules and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas were known as the varna system, which divided society into four main classes: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and Shudras (laborers and servants).
- However, not all societies in ancient India followed this varna system and were not divided into these unequal classes.
- These societies, which often lived in tribal communities, had their own social structures and were not bound by the varna system.
- These societies are commonly referred to as tribes.
- Tribes had their own customs, traditions, and social hierarchies, which were often based on kinship and community ties rather than the varna system.
- They had their own leaders and governance systems, which were different from the hierarchical structure of the varna system.
- The tribes had a more egalitarian social structure, where individuals had more equal opportunities and rights compared to the rigid caste system of the varna system.
- It is important to note that the term "tribe" is not derogatory or inferior, but simply refers to a different social organization and structure compared to the varna system.

The correct option is A.
A few exceptions apart, tribal people did not keep written records. But they preserved rich customs and oral traditions. These were passed down to each new generation. Present- day historians have started using such oral traditions to write tribal histories.