Class 9 History Chapter 1 Question Answers - India and the Contemporary World - 1

Q1. Give a brief assessment of the Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh.

Ans: The Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh follow a seasonal migration pattern:

• During winter, they reside in the low hills of the Siwalik range, grazing their flocks in scrub forests.
• By April, they migrate north to spend the summer in Lahul and Spiti.
• As the snow melts and high passes clear, many move to higher mountain meadows.
• By September, they begin their return journey, stopping in villages to reap their summer harvest and sow winter crops.
• They then descend with their flocks back to their winter grazing grounds in the Siwalik hills.
• In the following April, they start the cycle again, heading back to the summer meadows.

Q2. What did the Dhangar shepherds do after they reached the Konkan?

Ans: The Konkan region was a thriving agricultural area, characterised by high rainfall and fertile soil. Upon arrival, the Dhangar shepherds were greeted by the local Konkani peasants. Key activities included:

• After the Kharif harvest, fields required fertilisation for the upcoming Rabi harvest.
• The Dhangar flocks contributed by manuring the fields and grazing on the stubble left after harvesting.
• In return, the peasants provided rice, which the shepherds took back to their plateau where food was limited.

As the monsoon approached, the Dhangars moved back to their dry plateau settlements, as their sheep could not withstand the wet conditions.

Q3. What are Gujjar mandaps? Mention some of their features.

Ans: Gujjar mandaps are traditional huts used by the Gujjar cattle herders in the high mountains of central Garhwal. Key features include:

• Constructed from bamboo and grass.
• Located at altitudes of 10,000 to 11,000 feet, as buffaloes cannot go higher.
• Serve as both homes and workplaces for the herders.
• Herders produce ghee for sale in these mandaps.

Q4. What do you know about the movement of the pastoralists living in the plateaus?

Ans: Unlike mountain pastoralists, the seasonal movements of plateau pastoralists are influenced by the monsoon and dry seasons:

• During the dry season, they migrate to the coastal tracts.
• They return to the plateaus when the rains begin.
• Only buffaloes thrive in the swampy coastal areas during the monsoon; other herds must move to the dry plateaus.

The Banjaras, another notable group of graziers, are found in:

• Uttar Pradesh
• Punjab
• Rajasthan
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra

They travel long distances in search of good pasture, trading plough cattle and goods for grain and fodder.

Q5. Write about banjaras in short.

Ans: Banjaras are a well-known group of graziers found in various regions of India, including:

• Uttar Pradesh
• Punjab
• Rajasthan
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra

They are known for:

• Moving long distances in search of good pastureland for their cattle.
• Selling plough cattle and other goods to villagers.
• Exchanging these goods for grain and fodder.

Q6. Give a brief description of the Raikas and their activities.

Ans: The Raikas inhabit the deserts of Rajasthan, where rainfall is scarce and unpredictable. This leads to fluctuating harvests each year. To adapt, they combine cultivation with pastoralism. Their activities include:

• During the monsoon season, Raikas from Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner remain in their villages where pasture is available.
• By October, as grazing grounds become dry, they migrate in search of new pasture and water.
• They return to their villages with the onset of the next monsoon.

There are two main groups of Raikas:

• The Maru Raikas, who herd camels.
• Another group that raises sheep and goats.

These pastoralists carefully manage their herds, timing their movements and establishing relationships with farmers to graze in harvested fields, ensuring their survival in a challenging environment.

Q7. How do pastoralist communities in India continue to survive in spite of all odds?

Ans: Pastoralist communities in India have shown remarkable resilience despite numerous challenges. Their survival strategies include:

• Adapting to changes by altering their movement patterns when pasturelands are restricted.
• Reducing herd sizes to match available resources.
• Diversifying income by combining pastoralism with other economic activities.
• Utilising new grazing areas, such as agricultural fields after harvests.

Many ecologists argue that pastoralism remains the most ecologically viable lifestyle in dry and mountainous regions. This adaptability has allowed pastoralist numbers to grow in several areas over recent decades.

Q8. Name the pastoral communities that live in Africa. Mention different activities they are involved in for their livelihood.

Ans: Over half of the world's pastoral population resides in Africa, including communities such as:

• Bedouins
• Berbers
• Maasai
• Somali
• Boran
• Turkana

These communities primarily inhabit semi-arid grasslands and arid deserts, where traditional agriculture is challenging. Their livelihoods involve:

• Raising livestock such as cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and donkeys.
• Producing and selling milk, meat, animal skins, and wool.
• Engaging in trade and transport.
• Combining pastoral activities with agriculture.
• Taking on various odd jobs to supplement their income.

Q9. What were the social changes that occurred in the Maasai pastoral community?

Ans: The social changes in the Maasai community occurred at two levels:

• The traditional age-based hierarchy between elders and warriors was disrupted, though not entirely eliminated.
• A new divide emerged between the wealthy and poor pastoralists.

These changes illustrate how pastoral communities worldwide are influenced by modern developments. New laws and borders have affected their movement, making it harder for them to seek pastures. As grazing lands decreased, the impact of droughts intensified, leading to a decline in livestock.

Q10. Describe how drought affects the life of pastoralists?

Ans: Drought significantly impacts the lives of pastoralists, particularly the Maasai. When rainfall is insufficient, pastures dry up, leading to serious challenges for livestock survival. Key effects include:

• Starvation Risk: Without access to fresh forage, cattle are at risk of starving.
• Movement Restrictions: Traditionally, pastoralists are nomadic, moving to find better pastures. However, colonial restrictions confined the Maasai to a fixed area, preventing them from seeking new grazing lands.
• Livestock Loss: In the severe droughts of 1933 and 1934, over half of the cattle in the Maasai Reserve died due to starvation and disease.
• Declining Herds: As grazing lands shrank, the negative effects of drought intensified, leading to a steady decline in livestock numbers.
• Economic Impact: The restrictions not only affected pastoral activities but also limited trading opportunities, disrupting their traditional livelihoods.

The combination of these factors has made it increasingly difficult for pastoralists to sustain their way of life in the face of recurring droughts.

Q11. How did the poor pastoralists in Africa adapt themselves to tide over the bad times?

Ans: The life of poor pastoralists in Africa is challenging, as they primarily rely on their livestock for survival. During difficult times, such as wars and famines, they often lose everything.

To cope, many pastoralists:

• Seek work in towns.
• Engage in jobs like charcoal burning or other odd tasks.
• Some find more stable employment in road or building construction.

These adaptations help them navigate the hardships they face.

Q12. Name all the pastoral communities in India. Also mention where they lived.

Ans: There are seven main pastoral communities in India, each residing in distinct regions:

• Gujjar Bakarwals - Found in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Gaddi shepherds - Located in Himachal Pradesh.
• Gujjar cattle herders - Inhabiting Garhwal and Kumaon.
• Dhangar community - Residing in the central plateau of Maharashtra.
• Gollas, Kurumas, and Kurubas - Found in the dry central plateau of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Banjaras - Living in villages across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Raikas - Inhabiting the deserts of Rajasthan.

Q13. Describe the cycle of seasonal movement of the Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ans: The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir are traditional mountain pastoralists, known for their seasonal movement between grazing grounds. Their movement is influenced by the changing weather conditions, particularly the cold and snow in the mountains.

• In winter, when the high mountains are covered with snow, they reside in the low hills of the Siwalik range, where dry scrub forests provide pasture for their herds.
• By the end of April, they begin their journey northwards to their summer grazing grounds.
• They cross the Pir Panjal passes and enter the lush green valley of Kashmir as the snow melts.
• During summer, the mountainsides are rich with nutritious forage, ideal for their animals.
• By the end of September, the Bakarwals start their return journey to their winter base.

Q14. Who were Dhangars? Give a brief assessment of their movement.

Ans: Dhangars were a significant pastoral community in Maharashtra, with a population of approximately 467,000 in the early twentieth century. Their roles included:

• Most were shepherds, while others were blanket weavers or buffalo herders.
• During the monsoon, they resided in the central plateau, a semi-arid area with low rainfall and poor soil.
• This region was covered with thorny scrub, suitable only for dry crops like bajra.
• In the monsoon, it transformed into a vast grazing ground for their flocks.

By October, the Dhangars:

• Harvested their bajra and began their journey west to the Konkan.
• The Konkan was rich in agriculture, with high rainfall and fertile soil.
• Here, they collaborated with Konkani peasants to prepare fields for the rabi harvest.
• The Dhangars manured the fields and fed on the stubble, receiving rice supplies in return.

As the monsoon approached, the Dhangars:

• Returned to their dry plateau settlements, as their sheep could not withstand the wet conditions.

Q15. How did the laws enforced by the colonial government affect the lives of the pastoralists?

Ans: The laws enforced by the colonial government caused significant hardships for pastoral communities in India. Key impacts included:

• The colonial government took over grazing lands, converting them into cultivated fields, which reduced the available area for pasture.
• Restrictions on forest access meant pastoralists could no longer freely graze their cattle in these areas.
• As pasturelands diminished, existing animal stock had to rely on the remaining grazing land, leading to overgrazing and a decline in pasture quality.
• This deterioration resulted in a shortage of forage, causing many animals to suffer from malnutrition, especially during famine or scarcity.
• Underfed cattle died in large numbers, making survival increasingly difficult for pastoralists.
• Consequently, many pastoralists sought alternative livelihoods, with some becoming settled peasants or engaging in trade, while the poorest became labourers.