History: Pastoralists in the Modern World

Topics in this chapter

• Pastoralism and Seasonal Migration
• Himalayan Pastoral Communities
• Plateau, Plains and Desert Pastoralists
• Colonial Control of Indian Pastoralists
• Maasai and East African Pastoralism
• Pastoralist Adaptation and Social Change

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-7E64A5

   Which of the following communities is a well-known pastoralist group of the mountains in India?

   1. A.Raikas
   2. B.Gujjars
   3. C.Maasais
   4. D.Banjaras
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-144D7E

   What was the primary impact of the Waste Land Rules enacted by the British colonial government in India?

   1. A.Uncultivated lands were converted into grazing reserves for pastoralists.
   2. B.Uncultivated lands were given various concessions to encourage cattle breeding.
   3. C.Uncultivated lands were taken over and given to selected individuals to expand cultivation.
   4. D.Pastoralists were given ownership titles of all traditional grazing tracks.
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-7EB6A9

   Why did the British colonial government pass the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871?

   1. A.To provide legal employment to nomadic craftspeople
   2. B.To criminalize and control nomadic and pastoral communities by forcing them into settled villages
   3. C.To protect wildlife in forest reserves from poachers
   4. D.To regulate international trade routes across borders
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-E96216

   Which pastoralist community is native to the arid regions of Rajasthan, herding sheep and camels?

   1. A.Gaddi
   2. B.Bhotiyas
   3. C.Raikas
   4. D.Kurumas
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-63924D

   How did the introduction of Forest Acts affect the movement and livelihoods of pastoralists in colonial India?

   1. A.Forest Acts opened up dense jungles for unrestricted grazing and timber collection.
   2. B.Forest Acts categorized forests into reserved and protected, severely restricting pastoralists' entry and grazing rights.
   3. C.Forest Acts abolished all grazing taxes and provided free fodder to pastoral communities.
   4. D.Forest Acts had no impact since pastoralists only traveled through deserts and plains.
   See the answer and solution