NCERT Textbook: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


49
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Y
ou saw in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 how kingdoms  
rose and fell. Even as this was happening, new arts, 
and villages. Over the centuries important political, 
social and economic developments had taken place. 
But social change was not the same everywhere, 
because different kinds of societies evolved 
differently. It is important to understand 
how and why this happened.
In large parts of the subcontinent, society 
was already divided according to the rules 
of . These rules, as prescribed by the 
Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers 
of large kingdoms. The difference between 
the high and low, and between the rich and 
poor, increased. Under the Delhi Sultans 
and the Mughals, this hierarchy between 
social classes grew further. 
Beyond Big Cities: Tribal 
Societies 
There were, however, other kinds of 
societies as well. Many societies in the 
subcontinent did not follow the social rules 
and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. 
Nor were they divided into numerous 
unequal classes. Such societies are often 
called tribes. 
TRIBES, NOMADS AND 
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Fig. 1
Tribal dance, 
Santal painted scroll.
Page 2


49
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Y
ou saw in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 how kingdoms  
rose and fell. Even as this was happening, new arts, 
and villages. Over the centuries important political, 
social and economic developments had taken place. 
But social change was not the same everywhere, 
because different kinds of societies evolved 
differently. It is important to understand 
how and why this happened.
In large parts of the subcontinent, society 
was already divided according to the rules 
of . These rules, as prescribed by the 
Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers 
of large kingdoms. The difference between 
the high and low, and between the rich and 
poor, increased. Under the Delhi Sultans 
and the Mughals, this hierarchy between 
social classes grew further. 
Beyond Big Cities: Tribal 
Societies 
There were, however, other kinds of 
societies as well. Many societies in the 
subcontinent did not follow the social rules 
and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. 
Nor were they divided into numerous 
unequal classes. Such societies are often 
called tribes. 
TRIBES, NOMADS AND 
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Fig. 1
Tribal dance, 
Santal painted scroll.
50
Members of each tribe were united by kinship 
bonds. Many tribes obtained their livelihood from 
agriculture. Others were hunter-gatherers or herders. 
Most often they combined these activities to make 
full use of the natural resources of the area in which 
they lived. Some tribes were nomadic and moved 
from one place to another. A tribal group controlled 
land and pastures jointly, and divided these amongst 
households according to its own rules. 
Many large tribes thrived in different parts of the 
subcontinent. They usually lived in forests, hills, 
clashed with the more powerful caste-based societies. 
In various ways, the tribes retained their freedom and 
preserved their separate culture. 
But the caste-based and tribal societies also 
depended on each other for their diverse needs. This 
caused both societies to change.
Who were Tribal People? 
Contemporary historians and travellers give very 
scanty information about tribes. 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. 
Tribal people were found in almost every region of 
varied at different points of time. Some powerful tribes 
controlled large territories. In Punjab, the Khokhar 
fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became 
more important. Their chief, Kamal Khan Gakkhar, 
was made a noble ( ) by Emperor Akbar. In 
Multan and Sind, the Langahs and Arghuns dominated 
extensive regions before they were subdued by the 
Mughals. The Balochis were another large and powerful 
On a physical 
map of the 
subcontinent, 
identify the areas 
in which tribal 
people may have 
lived.
?
Page 3


49
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Y
ou saw in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 how kingdoms  
rose and fell. Even as this was happening, new arts, 
and villages. Over the centuries important political, 
social and economic developments had taken place. 
But social change was not the same everywhere, 
because different kinds of societies evolved 
differently. It is important to understand 
how and why this happened.
In large parts of the subcontinent, society 
was already divided according to the rules 
of . These rules, as prescribed by the 
Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers 
of large kingdoms. The difference between 
the high and low, and between the rich and 
poor, increased. Under the Delhi Sultans 
and the Mughals, this hierarchy between 
social classes grew further. 
Beyond Big Cities: Tribal 
Societies 
There were, however, other kinds of 
societies as well. Many societies in the 
subcontinent did not follow the social rules 
and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. 
Nor were they divided into numerous 
unequal classes. Such societies are often 
called tribes. 
TRIBES, NOMADS AND 
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Fig. 1
Tribal dance, 
Santal painted scroll.
50
Members of each tribe were united by kinship 
bonds. Many tribes obtained their livelihood from 
agriculture. Others were hunter-gatherers or herders. 
Most often they combined these activities to make 
full use of the natural resources of the area in which 
they lived. Some tribes were nomadic and moved 
from one place to another. A tribal group controlled 
land and pastures jointly, and divided these amongst 
households according to its own rules. 
Many large tribes thrived in different parts of the 
subcontinent. They usually lived in forests, hills, 
clashed with the more powerful caste-based societies. 
In various ways, the tribes retained their freedom and 
preserved their separate culture. 
But the caste-based and tribal societies also 
depended on each other for their diverse needs. This 
caused both societies to change.
Who were Tribal People? 
Contemporary historians and travellers give very 
scanty information about tribes. 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. 
Tribal people were found in almost every region of 
varied at different points of time. Some powerful tribes 
controlled large territories. In Punjab, the Khokhar 
fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became 
more important. Their chief, Kamal Khan Gakkhar, 
was made a noble ( ) by Emperor Akbar. In 
Multan and Sind, the Langahs and Arghuns dominated 
extensive regions before they were subdued by the 
Mughals. The Balochis were another large and powerful 
On a physical 
map of the 
subcontinent, 
identify the areas 
in which tribal 
people may have 
lived.
?
51
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
tribe in the north-west. They were divided into many 
smaller clans under different chiefs. In the western 
Himalaya lived the shepherd tribe of Gaddis. The 
distant north-eastern part of the subcontinent too was 
entirely dominated by tribes – the Nagas, Ahoms and 
many others.
In many areas of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand, 
Chero chiefdoms had emerged by the twelfth century. 
Raja Man Singh, Akbar’s famous general, attacked 
and defeated the Cheros in 1591. A large amount of 
booty was taken from them, but they were not entirely 
subdued. Under Aurangzeb, Mughal forces captured 
many Chero fortresses and subjugated the tribe. The 
Mundas and Santals were among the other important 
tribes that lived in this region and also in Orissa  
and Bengal. 
Map 1
Location of some 
of the major Indian 
tribes.
Clan
Page 4


49
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Y
ou saw in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 how kingdoms  
rose and fell. Even as this was happening, new arts, 
and villages. Over the centuries important political, 
social and economic developments had taken place. 
But social change was not the same everywhere, 
because different kinds of societies evolved 
differently. It is important to understand 
how and why this happened.
In large parts of the subcontinent, society 
was already divided according to the rules 
of . These rules, as prescribed by the 
Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers 
of large kingdoms. The difference between 
the high and low, and between the rich and 
poor, increased. Under the Delhi Sultans 
and the Mughals, this hierarchy between 
social classes grew further. 
Beyond Big Cities: Tribal 
Societies 
There were, however, other kinds of 
societies as well. Many societies in the 
subcontinent did not follow the social rules 
and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. 
Nor were they divided into numerous 
unequal classes. Such societies are often 
called tribes. 
TRIBES, NOMADS AND 
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Fig. 1
Tribal dance, 
Santal painted scroll.
50
Members of each tribe were united by kinship 
bonds. Many tribes obtained their livelihood from 
agriculture. Others were hunter-gatherers or herders. 
Most often they combined these activities to make 
full use of the natural resources of the area in which 
they lived. Some tribes were nomadic and moved 
from one place to another. A tribal group controlled 
land and pastures jointly, and divided these amongst 
households according to its own rules. 
Many large tribes thrived in different parts of the 
subcontinent. They usually lived in forests, hills, 
clashed with the more powerful caste-based societies. 
In various ways, the tribes retained their freedom and 
preserved their separate culture. 
But the caste-based and tribal societies also 
depended on each other for their diverse needs. This 
caused both societies to change.
Who were Tribal People? 
Contemporary historians and travellers give very 
scanty information about tribes. 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. 
Tribal people were found in almost every region of 
varied at different points of time. Some powerful tribes 
controlled large territories. In Punjab, the Khokhar 
fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became 
more important. Their chief, Kamal Khan Gakkhar, 
was made a noble ( ) by Emperor Akbar. In 
Multan and Sind, the Langahs and Arghuns dominated 
extensive regions before they were subdued by the 
Mughals. The Balochis were another large and powerful 
On a physical 
map of the 
subcontinent, 
identify the areas 
in which tribal 
people may have 
lived.
?
51
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
tribe in the north-west. They were divided into many 
smaller clans under different chiefs. In the western 
Himalaya lived the shepherd tribe of Gaddis. The 
distant north-eastern part of the subcontinent too was 
entirely dominated by tribes – the Nagas, Ahoms and 
many others.
In many areas of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand, 
Chero chiefdoms had emerged by the twelfth century. 
Raja Man Singh, Akbar’s famous general, attacked 
and defeated the Cheros in 1591. A large amount of 
booty was taken from them, but they were not entirely 
subdued. Under Aurangzeb, Mughal forces captured 
many Chero fortresses and subjugated the tribe. The 
Mundas and Santals were among the other important 
tribes that lived in this region and also in Orissa  
and Bengal. 
Map 1
Location of some 
of the major Indian 
tribes.
Clan
52
The Maharashtra highlands and 
Karnataka were home to Kolis, 
Berads and numerous others. 
Kolis also lived in many areas of 
Gujarat. Further south there were 
large tribal populations of Koragas, 
Vetars, Maravars and many others.
The large tribe of Bhils was 
spread across western and central 
India. By the late sixteenth 
century, many of them had 
become settled agriculturists and 
some even zamindars. Many Bhil 
clans, nevertheless, remained  
hunter-gatherers. The Gonds were 
found in great numbers across the 
present-day states of Chhattisgarh, 
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and 
Andhra Pradesh.
How Nomads and 
Mobile People Lived
Nomadic pastoralists moved 
over long distances with their 
animals. They lived on milk and 
other pastoral products. They also 
exchanged wool, ghee, etc., with 
settled agriculturists for grain, 
cloth, utensils and other products. 
Fig. 2
Bhils hunting deer by night.
Fig.3
A chain of mobile traders connected 
India to the outside world. Here you see 
nuts being gathered and loaded on the 
backs of camels. Central Asian traders 
brought such goods to India and the 
Banjaras and other traders carried 
these to local markets.
Page 5


49
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Y
ou saw in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 how kingdoms  
rose and fell. Even as this was happening, new arts, 
and villages. Over the centuries important political, 
social and economic developments had taken place. 
But social change was not the same everywhere, 
because different kinds of societies evolved 
differently. It is important to understand 
how and why this happened.
In large parts of the subcontinent, society 
was already divided according to the rules 
of . These rules, as prescribed by the 
Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers 
of large kingdoms. The difference between 
the high and low, and between the rich and 
poor, increased. Under the Delhi Sultans 
and the Mughals, this hierarchy between 
social classes grew further. 
Beyond Big Cities: Tribal 
Societies 
There were, however, other kinds of 
societies as well. Many societies in the 
subcontinent did not follow the social rules 
and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. 
Nor were they divided into numerous 
unequal classes. Such societies are often 
called tribes. 
TRIBES, NOMADS AND 
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
Fig. 1
Tribal dance, 
Santal painted scroll.
50
Members of each tribe were united by kinship 
bonds. Many tribes obtained their livelihood from 
agriculture. Others were hunter-gatherers or herders. 
Most often they combined these activities to make 
full use of the natural resources of the area in which 
they lived. Some tribes were nomadic and moved 
from one place to another. A tribal group controlled 
land and pastures jointly, and divided these amongst 
households according to its own rules. 
Many large tribes thrived in different parts of the 
subcontinent. They usually lived in forests, hills, 
clashed with the more powerful caste-based societies. 
In various ways, the tribes retained their freedom and 
preserved their separate culture. 
But the caste-based and tribal societies also 
depended on each other for their diverse needs. This 
caused both societies to change.
Who were Tribal People? 
Contemporary historians and travellers give very 
scanty information about tribes. 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. 
Tribal people were found in almost every region of 
varied at different points of time. Some powerful tribes 
controlled large territories. In Punjab, the Khokhar 
fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became 
more important. Their chief, Kamal Khan Gakkhar, 
was made a noble ( ) by Emperor Akbar. In 
Multan and Sind, the Langahs and Arghuns dominated 
extensive regions before they were subdued by the 
Mughals. The Balochis were another large and powerful 
On a physical 
map of the 
subcontinent, 
identify the areas 
in which tribal 
people may have 
lived.
?
51
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
tribe in the north-west. They were divided into many 
smaller clans under different chiefs. In the western 
Himalaya lived the shepherd tribe of Gaddis. The 
distant north-eastern part of the subcontinent too was 
entirely dominated by tribes – the Nagas, Ahoms and 
many others.
In many areas of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand, 
Chero chiefdoms had emerged by the twelfth century. 
Raja Man Singh, Akbar’s famous general, attacked 
and defeated the Cheros in 1591. A large amount of 
booty was taken from them, but they were not entirely 
subdued. Under Aurangzeb, Mughal forces captured 
many Chero fortresses and subjugated the tribe. The 
Mundas and Santals were among the other important 
tribes that lived in this region and also in Orissa  
and Bengal. 
Map 1
Location of some 
of the major Indian 
tribes.
Clan
52
The Maharashtra highlands and 
Karnataka were home to Kolis, 
Berads and numerous others. 
Kolis also lived in many areas of 
Gujarat. Further south there were 
large tribal populations of Koragas, 
Vetars, Maravars and many others.
The large tribe of Bhils was 
spread across western and central 
India. By the late sixteenth 
century, many of them had 
become settled agriculturists and 
some even zamindars. Many Bhil 
clans, nevertheless, remained  
hunter-gatherers. The Gonds were 
found in great numbers across the 
present-day states of Chhattisgarh, 
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and 
Andhra Pradesh.
How Nomads and 
Mobile People Lived
Nomadic pastoralists moved 
over long distances with their 
animals. They lived on milk and 
other pastoral products. They also 
exchanged wool, ghee, etc., with 
settled agriculturists for grain, 
cloth, utensils and other products. 
Fig. 2
Bhils hunting deer by night.
Fig.3
A chain of mobile traders connected 
India to the outside world. Here you see 
nuts being gathered and loaded on the 
backs of camels. Central Asian traders 
brought such goods to India and the 
Banjaras and other traders carried 
these to local markets.
53
TRIBES, NOMADS AND
SETTLED COMMUNITIES
They bought and sold these goods as they moved 
from one place to another, transporting them on their 
animals.
The Banjaras were the most important trader-
nomads. Their caravan was called . Sultan 
Alauddin Khalji (Chapter 3) 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 Banjaras
Peter Mundy, an English trader who came to India 
during the early seventeenth century, has described 
the Banjaras:
 In the morning we met a tanda of Banjaras with 14,000 
oxen. They were all laden with grains such as wheat and 
rice ... These Banjaras carry their household – wives and 
children – along with them. One tanda consists of many 
families. Their way of life is similar to that of carriers who 
continuously travel from place to place. They own their oxen. 
They are sometimes hired by merchants, but most commonly 
they are themselves merchants. They buy grain where it is 
cheaply available and carry it to places where it is dearer. 
From there, they again reload their oxen with anything that 
more than 6 or 7 miles a day – that, too, in the cool weather. 
After unloading their oxen, they turn them free to graze as 
there is enough land here, and no one there to forbid them.
Find out how grain is transported from villages 
to cities at present. In what ways is this similar 
to or different from the ways in which the  
Banjaras functioned? 
?
Nomads and 
itinerant groups