Class 7 History Chapter 5 Notes - Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

Introduction

Tribal societies have existed since ancient times.

This chapter explores the history, characteristics, and relationships of tribal communities in medieval India.

Tribal Societies in Medieval India

Numerous indigenous and ethnic groups, known as tribes, were scattered across the Indian subcontinent.

Characteristics of Tribal Societies

1. Egalitarian Nature

Tribal societies were usually equal and not divided into classes or castes.

2. Kinship Bonds

Kinship bonds were essential within each tribe.

Tribes were made up of clans tracing their ancestry to a common ancestor.

3. Nomadic Nature of Some Tribes

Some tribal societies were nomadic, moving in search of food or pasture lands for their animals.

They reared animals like cattle, goats, camels, sheep, or horses.

Exchanged animal products for grains.

4. Shifting Agriculture

Some nomadic tribes practiced shifting agriculture to support themselves.

5. Isolated Settlements

Some tribes permanently settled in remote areas like forests, hills, deserts, or hard-to-reach places.

6. Craftsmen and Entertainers

Some tribes engaged in small-scale craftsmanship and entertained in towns and villages.

7. Relation with Nature

Tribes used natural resources in their areas.

8. Community Ownership of Land

Land and pastures were collectively controlled and divided among households.

9. Patrilineal and Matrilineal Society

Some tribal societies followed a patrilineal (through the male line) system, while others like the Caros and Khasis followed a matrilineal

(through the female line) system.

Gond Kingdom of Garha Katanga

The Gonds were one of the largest tribes in medieval India.

They lived in an area called Condwanaland.

The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga was known for its well-structured administrative system.

Garha Katanga comprised several divisions and clans, each with its leader.

The kingdom eventually became rich by selling wild elephants to other kingdoms.

Queen Durgawati

Rani Durgawati was the wife of Gond raja Sangram Shah.

After her husband's death, she took control of the kingdom.

She resisted Mughal forces' attack in 1565 but was defeated and died along with her son during the battle.

Gond kingdoms were gradually taken over by the Marathas and Bundela Rajputs.

The Ahoms of Assam

The Ahoms crossed the Patkai hills in the northeast and settled in the Brahmaputra valley in the 13th century.

They befriended local tribal groups and subdued powerful landlords called the bhuiyans.

In the 16th century, the Ahom kingdom expanded by annexing neighboring kingdoms.

The Mughals, led by Mir Jumla, attacked the Ahom kingdom in 1662 but later lost control due to an epidemic.

Administration of Ahom State

In the 17th century, Ahom administration became centralized.

The paik system required non-noble, non-priest, non-high-caste, and non-slave males to provide service to the kingdom in exchange for

land.

The land granted to paiks was non-transferable and non-hereditary.

Village communities played a significant role in decision-making.

Society, Religion, and Culture of Ahoms

Ahom society was organized into clans or khel, with each controlling multiple villages.

They followed their traditional beliefs and tribal gods.

In the 17th century, Hinduism became predominant due to the influence of Brahmanas who were granted temples and land.

Scholars and poets received patronage in the form of land grants.

Sanskrit texts were translated into the local language, and Ahom chronicles known as buranjis were compiled.

Caste vs. Tribe

Tribal and nomadic communities, not following the varna system, sometimes had conflicts or symbiotic relationships with caste-based

societies.

Economic dependencies existed between the two.

Tribal customs and rituals were incorporated into Hindu traditions.

Some tribes adopted the caste system and political structures of settled societies.

These tribal and ethnic groups are now referred to as Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution.

Conclusion

The chapter explores tribal societies' characteristics, the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, Queen Durgawati's leadership, the Ahoms' rise

and administration, and the interaction between tribal and caste-based societies in medieval India.