Class 7 - Social Science - NCERT - CBSE
Chapter 5 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities summary
Introduction
A long time ago, India had many different types of societies. Some people lived in big cities and followed strict social rules, while others lived in small groups and followed their own customs. These smaller groups were called tribes. They were not part of the caste system and lived freely.
Who Were the Tribal People?
Tribal people lived in forests, hills, and remote areas. They were farmers, hunters, gatherers, or herders. Some tribes moved from one place to another in search of food and shelter. Unlike city people, they did not keep written records, but they had rich traditions and stories passed down through generations.
Famous Tribes in India
Different parts of India had different tribes. Some of the important ones were:
- Khokhars and Gakkhars in Punjab
- Langahs and Arghuns in Sindh
- Balochis in the north-west
- Gaddis in the western Himalayas
- Nagas and Ahoms in the north-east
- Mundas and Santals in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Bengal
- Bhils in central and western India
- Gonds in central India
Some of these tribes became very powerful and controlled large areas of land.
Nomads and Their Lifestyle
Apart from settled tribes, there were also nomads. These were people who moved from place to place with their animals. They lived on milk, wool, and animal products. Some of them were traders who bought and sold goods as they traveled.
A famous group of trader-nomads was the Banjaras. They transported food, grains, and goods using oxen. The Mughal rulers even used them to supply food to their armies.
Changes in Society in and due to tribal communities
Over time, as the economy grew, new professions and castes emerged. Some tribes joined settled societies and became part of the caste system. However, only the rich and powerful tribal families could become rulers, while most common tribal people were placed in lower castes. Some tribes, like those in Punjab and Sindh, rejected the caste system and followed Islam.
The Gond Kingdom
The Gonds were a large tribe that ruled Gondwana. They practiced shifting cultivation, meaning they cleared forests for farming and moved to another place when the soil lost fertility. The Gonds had their own rulers and divided their land into smaller parts for easy governance. Some Gond rulers even tried to become Rajputs by following Hindu customs.
One of the most famous Gond rulers was Rani Durgawati. She bravely fought against the Mughal army but was defeated and chose to die rather than surrender. The Mughal forces took over her kingdom and made it weaker.
The Ahom Kingdom
The Ahoms came from Myanmar and settled in Assam. They built a strong kingdom by defeating other tribes. They used gunpowder and cannons in battles. Their society was well-organized, and everyone had to work for the state. The Ahoms originally followed their own tribal religion, but later, they adopted Hinduism.
Tribes, nomads, and settled communities influenced each other. Some tribes became powerful and created their own kingdoms, while others merged into caste-based society. The interaction between these groups shaped India's history.
~~The END~~
Chapter 5 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities
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