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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.