Notes Class 9 History Chapter 5 Pastoralists in the Modern World

Notes For All Chapters History Class 9 CBSE

Chapter 5: Pastoralists in the Modern World

Introduction

• Pastoralists are people who move from one place to another with their herds of animals (nomads).
• They live in mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts.
• Their movement depends on the seasons and availability of water and pasture.
• This chapter tells how pastoralists lived in India and Africa and how British colonial rule and modern changes affected their lives.

1. Pastoral Nomads and Their Movements

1.1 In the Mountains

Gujjar Bakarwals (Jammu & Kashmir):

• Herd goats and sheep.
• In winter – stay in Siwalik hills (low hills).
• In summer – move across Pir Panjal to Kashmir Valley for grazing.
• Travel in groups called kafilas.

Gaddis (Himachal Pradesh):

• Shepherds of sheep and goats.
• Winter – Siwalik Hills; Summer – Lahul and Spiti.
• Grow summer crops while grazing herds.

Gujjars (Garhwal & Kumaon):

• Move between bhabar (dry forest area) in winter and bugyals (high meadows) in summer.
• Similar movement patterns followed by Bhotiyas, Sherpas, and Kinnauris.

Movement prevents overgrazing and allows pastures to recover.

1.2 On the Plateaus, Plains, and Deserts

. Dhangars (Maharashtra):

• Shepherds, blanket weavers, and buffalo herders.
• Monsoon – stay in dry plateau areas to graze flocks.
• After harvest – move west to Konkan to manure fields.
• Return to plateau before monsoon as sheep can’t tolerate wet weather.

. Gollas, Kurumas, and Kurubas (Andhra & Karnataka):

• Reared cattle, sheep, and goats.
• Seasonal movement between dry plateau and coastal tracts.

. Banjaras (North and Central India):

• Travelled long distances with herds; traded cattle and goods for grain and fodder.

. Raikas (Rajasthan):

• Practised both farming and herding due to scarce rainfall.
• Monsoon – stay in home villages.
• Dry season – migrate to find pasture.
• Maru Raikas – herded camels; others reared sheep and goats.

Pastoralists carefully planned movement — time, routes, water sources, and relations with farmers.

2. Colonial Rule and Pastoral Life

During British rule, pastoral life changed drastically.

2.1 Waste Land Rules

• British took over uncultivated land (pastures) and gave it to individuals for cultivation.
• Pastoral lands were converted into farms to increase land revenue.
• Result: Pastures declined, causing shortage of grazing land.

2.2 Forest Acts

. Forests were divided into:

• Reserved Forests: No grazing allowed.
• Protected Forests: Limited grazing with permits.

. British believed grazing destroyed young trees.

. Pastoralists now needed permits for grazing and could stay only for limited time.

2.3 Criminal Tribes Act (1871)

• Nomadic groups were seen as “criminal by birth”.
• Declared as Criminal Tribes.
• Forced to live in notified settlements and forbidden to move without permission.
• Police kept strict watch on them.

2.4 Grazing Tax

• Tax on every animal grazed.
• First collected by contractors, later by the government.
• Pastoralists had to carry passes showing number of animals and tax paid.

Effects of British Policies

• Pastures disappeared and overgrazing ruined remaining grasslands.
• Animals died during droughts and famines.
• Pastoralists lost independence and became poor.
• Some became labourers or farmers, others found new grazing areas.

2.5 How Pastoralists Adapted

. Reduced number of animals.

. Found new grazing lands.

. Some became settled farmers or traders.

. After 1947, movement was restricted by new India–Pakistan borders.

• Example: Raikas could no longer go to Sindh; they began grazing in Haryana.

. Despite hardships, many still continue pastoralism — it remains ecologically suitable in dry and hilly regions.

3. Pastoralism in Africa

3.1 Maasai of East Africa (Kenya & Tanzania)

• Traditional cattle herders; about 4.5 lakh Maasai today.
• Before colonial rule, Maasailand stretched from northern Kenya to Tanzania.

Loss of Grazing Lands

• 1885: Maasailand divided by boundary between British Kenya and German Tanganyika.
• Lost 60% of grazing land.
• Best lands taken for white settlements and game reserves (like Serengeti & Maasai Mara).
• Maasais pushed into arid and poor pastures.

Closing of Borders

• Colonial boundaries restricted free movement.
• Needed permits to move herds or trade.
• Pastoralists not allowed to enter white markets.
• Considered “uncivilised” and kept under police watch.

Effect of Drought

• Droughts caused massive cattle deaths (e.g., 1933–34 drought killed half their cattle).
• Unable to move out of reserves → no pasture → starvation and poverty increased.

3.2 Social Changes among the Maasai

. Traditionally divided into:

• Elders: Ruling and decision-making group.
• Warriors: Young men defending and raiding cattle.

. British banned raiding and appointed chiefs to control tribes.

. Chiefs became wealthy – owned land, lent money, and traded.

. Poor Maasais lost cattle and became labourers or workers.

. Social gap widened between rich chiefs and poor herders.

Similar Problems in Other African Regions

• Example: Kaokoland herders (Namibia) lost movement rights due to new borders.
• Could not trade or graze freely; suffered under strict colonial controls.

4. Conclusion

. Both in India and Africa, pastoralists faced:

• Loss of grazing lands.
• Restricted movements.
• Taxes and forest rules.
• Economic hardships.

. But they adapted — changed routes, mixed herding with farming or trade.

. Pastoralism is still important — suits mountain and dry regions.

. They are not people of the past, but vital to ecological balance and rural economy.