PASTORALISTS
in the modern world
Describe the life of pastoralists inhabiting the mountains of India.
(A) THE GUJJAR BAKARWALS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR,
THE GADDI SHEPHERDS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, THE
GUJJAR CATTLE HERDERS OF GARHWAL AND KUMAON,
THE BHOTIYAS, THE SHERPAS AND KINNAURIS MOVE
ANNUALLY BETWEEN THEIR SUMMER AND WINTER
GRAZING GROUNDS GOVERNED BY THE CYCLE OF
SEASONAL MOVEMENTS.
(B) THEY ADJUST THEIR MOVEMENTS TO SEASONAL
CHANGES AND MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF AVAILABLE
PASTURES IN DIFFERENT PLACES. WHEN PASTURES ARE
EXHAUSTED OR UNSTABLE IN ONE PLACE THEY MOVE
THEIR HERDS TO NEW AREAS.
Write a short note on Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir are great herders of goat and
sheep. Many of them migrated to this region in the nineteenth century in
search of pastures for their animals. Gradually, over the decades, they
established themselves in the area, and moved annually between their summer
and winter grazing grounds.
In winter, when the high mountains were covered with snow, they lived with
their herds in the low hills of the Siwalik range. The dry scrub forests
here provided pasture for their herds. By the end of April, they began their
northern march for their summer grazing grounds.
By the end of September the Bakarwals were on the move again, this time on
their downward journey back to their winter base. When the high mountains
were covered with snow, the herds were grazed in the low hills
WRITE DOWN THE MAIN FEATURES
OF THE LIFE OF GADDI SHEPHERDS
OF HIMACHAL PRADESH.
In different areas of the mountains, the Gaddi shepherds of
Himachal Pradesh had a cycle of seasonal movement. In
winter, they moved downward and in summer, they moved
upward to the valley. Gaddi shepherds also spent their winter
in the low hills of Siwalik range, grazing their flocks in scrub
forests. By April, they moved north and spent the summer in
Lahaul and Spiti. When the snow melted and the high passes
were clear, many of them moved on to higher mountain
meadows.
By September, Gaddi shepherds began their return
movement. On the way, they stopped once again in the
villages of Lahaul and Spiti, reaping their Kharif crop and
sowing their Rabi crop. Then,- they come down with their flock
to their lower areas or plains on the Siwalik hills.
Next April, with the coming of summer, Gaddi shepherds, once
again, began their march with their sheep and goats, to the
summer meadows.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
THE LIFESTYLE OF GUJJARS OF
GARHWAL AND KUMAON ?
In Garhwal and Kumaon, the Gujjar cattle herders came to the dry forests
of the bhabar in the winter, and went to the high meadows, the Bugyals, in
summer.
Many of them were originally from Jammu and came to the UP hills in the
19th century’ in search of good pastures.
This pattern of cyclical movement between summer and winter pastures
was typical of many pastoral communities of the Himalayas.
DISCUSS THE MAIN FEATURES OF LIFE OF THE
DHANGARS PASTORAL COMMUNITY OF
MAHARASHTRA.
Dhangars were an important pastoral community of Maharashtra. In the
early twentieth century, their population in this region was about
4,67,000.
Most of the Dhangars were shepherds, some were blanket weavers and
still others were buffalo herders.
The Dhangar shepherds stayed in the central plateau of Maharashtra
during the monsoon. This was a semi-arid region with low rainfall and
poor soil. It was covered with a thorny scrub. Nothing but dry crops like
bajra could be sown here.
In the monsoon, the central plateau became a vast grazing ground for the
Dhangar flocks.
By October, the Dhangars harvested their bajra and started on their move
towards the west. After a march of about a month, they reached the
Konkan. This was a flourishing agricultural tract with high rainfall and
rich soil. Here, the shepherds were welcomed by Konkan peasants
DISCUSS THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE PASTORAL
NOMADS OF KARNATAKA AND ANDHRA PRADESH.
In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, we found the dry central plateau covered with
stone and grass inhabited by cattle, goat and sheep herders.
The Gollas herded cattle and the Kurumas and Kurubas reared sheep and goats and
sold woven blankets. They lived near the woods, cultivated small patches of land,
engaged in a variety of petty trades and took care of their herbs.
The pastoral nomads of these two southern states lived near the forests, cultivated
small patches of land, engaged themselves in different petty trades and took care of
the herds.
WHERE DO THE RAIKAS LIVE ? MENTION CHARACTERISTICS OF
THEIR ECONOMY AND LIFE.
The Raikas lived in the deserts of Rajasthan. The characteristics of their
economy and life are :
As the rainfall in Rajasthan was meagre and uncertain, the Raikas found
the cultivation of their land tracts very difficult. Their harvest fluctuate
every year. Over vast stretches, no crop could be grown. Therefore, the
Raikas combined cultivation with pastoralism.
During the monsoons, the Raikas of Banner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and
Bikaner stayed in their home villages, where pasture was available.
By October, when these grazing grounds were dry and exhausted, the
Raikas moved out in search of other pasture and water, and returned
again during herded next rainy season.
One group of Raikas—known as the Maru (desert) Raikas—herded camels
and another group reared goats and sheep.
Therefore, we can say that the life of the Raikas as pastoral groups was
sustained by a careful consideration of a host of factors. They had to
judge how long the herds could stay in one area of Rajasthan, and know
where they could find water and pasture in Rajasthan and nearby
provinces.
1.WHO WERE BANJARAS ?
Banjaras were another well-known group of graziers. Banjaras were
nomadic.They were to be found in the villages of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.In search of good pasture
land for their cattle, they moved over long distances, selling plough cattle
and other goods to villagers in exchange for grain and fodder.
1.WHAT FACTORS HAD TO BE KEPT IN MIND BY THE
PASTORALISTS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE ?
They had to judge how long the herds They needed to calculate the timing of They also had to combine a range of different
could stay in one area and know where their movements, and ensure that they activities-cultivation, trade and herding-to
they could find water and pasture. could move through different territories. make their living.
EXPLAIN ANY THREE LAWS WHICH WERE INTRODUCED
BY THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT IN INDIA, WHICH
CHANGED THE LIVES OF PASTORALISTS.
From the mid-nineteenth century, Wasteland Rules were enacted in various parts of
the country. By these rules uncultivated lands were taken over and given to selected
individuals.
By the mid-nineteenth century, various Forest Acts were also enacted in different
provinces. Through these Acts some forests which produced valuable timber like
deodar or sal were declared ‘Reserved’. No pastoralist was allowed access to these
forests. Other forests were classified as ‘protected’.
In 1871, the colonial government in India passed the ‘Criminal Tribes Act’. By this
Act, many communities of craftsmen, traders and pastoralists were classified as
Criminal Tribes. They were stated to be criminal by nature and birth. Once this act
came into force, these communities were expected to live only in notified village
settlements.
HOW DID THE FOREST ACTS CHANGE THE LIFE OF PASTORALISTS
(a) Forest Acts were enacted to protect and preserve forests for timber
which was of commercial importance.
(b) They were now prevented from entering many forests that had
earlier provided valuable forage for their cattle. Even in the areas they
were allowed entry, their movements were regulated.
(c) They were issued permits which monitored their entry into and exit
from forests. They could not stay in the forests as much as they liked
because the permit specified the periods in which they could be legally
within a forest. If they overstayed they were liable to fines.
UNDER COLONIAL RULE, WHAT WERE THE
CHANGES IN THE LIFE OF PASTORALISTS ?
Under colonial rule, the life of pastoralists changed dramatically.
Their grazing grounds shrank.
The revenue they had to pay was increased.
Their movements were regulated.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANIMAL’S STOCK WHEN PASTURE LANDS
WERE TURNED INTO CULTIVATED LANDS ?
As pasturelands disappeared under the plough, the existing animal stock had to feed on whatever grazing
land remained. This led to continuous intensive grazing of these pastures. Usually nomadic pastoralists
grazed their animals in one area and moved to another area. These pastoral movements allowed time for the
natural restoration of vegetation growth. When restrictions were imposed on pastoral movements, grazing
lands came to be continuously used and the quality of pastures declined. This in turn created a further
shortage of forage for animals and the deterioration of animal stock. Underfed cattle died in large numbers
during scarcities and famines.
