CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 7 – Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities NCERT Solutions

Solution: The correct matches are:

khel - clan

garh - Garha Katanga

tanda - caravan

chaurasi - Gond states

labourer - paik

Sib Singh - Ahom State

Durgawati - Garha Katanga

Solution:

(a) The new castes emerging within vamas were called jatis.

(b) Buranjis were historical works written by the Ahoms.

(c) The Akbar Nama mentions that Garha Katanga had 70,000 villages.

(d) As tribal states became bigger and stronger, they gave land grants to temples and Brahmanas.

Solution:

(a) True. Tribal societies often preserved their history, customs, and beliefs through rich oral traditions.

(b) False. Tribal communities existed in various parts of the subcontinent, including the north-western regions.

(c) False. The 'Chaurasi' in Gond states referred to an administrative division, typically comprising 84 villages, not several cities.

(d) False. The Bhils were primarily found in the western and central parts of the subcontinent, not the north-eastern part.

Solution: Nomadic pastoralists and settled agriculturists engaged in mutually beneficial exchanges. The pastoralists provided goods like wool, ghee, and other animal products to the settled farmers. In return, they received essential items such as grain, cloth, utensils, and other manufactured products from the agriculturists, fulfilling each other's needs.

Solution: The Ahom state's administration was significantly based on forced labor. Individuals compelled to work for the state were identified as 'paiks'. To manage this workforce effectively, a census of the population was conducted. Each village was obligated to provide a certain number of paiks on a rotational basis. Furthermore, the administration involved relocating people from densely populated areas to sparsely populated regions, which sometimes led to the disruption of Ahom clans. By the first half of the 17th century, the Ahom administration had evolved into a considerably centralized system.

Solution: The varna-based society underwent several significant changes during this period:

1. Emergence of Jatis: Smaller castes, known as 'jatis', began to form within the existing varnas. These jatis often had specific occupations and social customs.
2. Integration of Tribes and Social Groups: Many tribal communities and other social groups were incorporated into the caste-based society and were assigned the status of jatis.
3. Recognition of Artisans: Specialized artisans, including smiths, carpenters, and masons, were recognized as distinct jatis by the Brahmanas, acknowledging their specific skills and roles.
4. Shift in Social Organization: Society increasingly became organized based on jatis rather than the broader varna system, making jati the primary unit of social identity and structure.
5. Rise of New Clans: Among the Kshatriyas, new Rajput clans gained prominence and power.
6. Tribal Assimilation: While many dominant tribes in regions like Punjab and Sind adopted Islam and continued to reject the caste system, other tribal groups were absorbed into the caste hierarchy. However, typically, only the leading families of these tribes could join the ruling class, while the majority were relegated to the lower jatis.

Solution: The formation of large states significantly altered the nature of tribal societies. This transformation can be observed through the examples of the Gond and Ahom societies:

1. Gond Society: Initially, Gond society was largely egalitarian. However, with the establishment of states, it gradually became divided into unequal social classes. The Gond Rajas began receiving land grants from Brahmanas, which increased the latter's influence. Consequently, the Gond chiefs started aspiring for recognition as Rajputs. For instance, Aman Das, the Gond raja of Garha Katanga, adopted the title 'Sangram Shah'.
2. Ahom Society: The Ahoms established a large state, which brought about substantial changes in their society. The influence of Brahmanas grew, and the king granted land to temples and Brahmanas. During the reign of Sib Singh, Hinduism became the dominant religion. Despite adopting Hinduism, the Ahom rulers did not entirely abandon their traditional beliefs and practices.

Solution: Yes, the Banjaras were extremely important for the economy. As trader-nomads, they played a crucial role in controlling trade and commerce. Their primary economic contribution was transporting grain to urban markets. They operated by purchasing grain in areas where it was inexpensive and then transporting it to regions where it was sold at a higher price. They would then reload their oxen with goods that could be profitably sold elsewhere, thus facilitating the movement of goods and contributing significantly to economic activity.

Solution: The history of the Gonds and the Ahoms presented several differences, although some similarities existed: Differences:

• Geographical Location and Origin: The Gonds inhabited a large forested region known as Gondwana. In contrast, the Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from present-day Myanmar in the 13th century.
• Agricultural Practices: The Gonds practiced shifting cultivation. The Ahoms, however, did not follow this type of cultivation.
• Societal Development and Military Strength: Gond society was not as highly developed or organized as the Ahom society. The Ahoms built a formidable state, utilizing firearms and possessing the capability to produce high-quality gunpowder and cannons.
• Cultural Sophistication: Ahom society was notably sophisticated, with poets and scholars receiving land grants and theatre being actively encouraged. These aspects are not as prominently documented in the history of Gond society.

Similarities:

• Both groups were tribal communities that eventually organized themselves into larger states.
• Both societies saw an increase in the influence of Brahmanas and the adoption of certain aspects of the caste system or Hindu religious practices, although the extent and manner differed.
• Both faced challenges and changes as their societies evolved from smaller tribal units into larger political entities.