Class 9 Social Science - KERALA
Pastoralists in the Modern World
The chapter 'Pastoralists in the Modern World' for Class 9 Kerala SCERT Social Science explores the lives of nomadic pastoral communities and how their traditional lifestyles changed under colonial rule and modern nation-states. It examines pastoralists in India, such as the Dhangars, Gujjars, and Raikas, as well as African pastoral groups like the Maasai. You will learn how colonial policies, forest laws, and the creation of strict borders disrupted their seasonal migration routes, grazing lands, and livelihoods. This chapter is very important for board exams as it helps understand the impact of imperialism on marginalized communities.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Pastoralism
A lifestyle where people move with their herds of animals from one place to another in search of fresh pasture and water.
Colonial Forest Acts
Laws passed by the British that restricted pastoralists from entering forests, which were classified as reserved or protected, disrupting their traditional grazing routes.
Dhangars
A prominent pastoral community of shepherds in Maharashtra who migrated between the Konkan and the Deccan plateau depending on the seasons.
Maasai
A traditional pastoral community living in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) whose grazing lands were drastically reduced by European colonizers.
Criminal Tribes Act
A harsh law enacted by the British in 1871 that branded nomadic pastoralists and craftsmen as criminals by nature and forced them to live in notified settlements.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Kerala SCERT Class 9 Social Science exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answers on pastoral communities, paragraph questions about the impact of British forest laws on Indian herders, and map-based or analytical questions regarding African pastoralists like the Maasai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did colonial rulers view pastoralists with suspicion?
Colonial rulers preferred settled populations because they were easier to control, tax, and administer. They viewed nomadic pastoralists as dangerous, difficult to track, and harmful to forests.
How did the Grazing Tax affect pastoralists?
The British imposed heavy taxes on cattle, goats, and sheep. Pastoralists had to pay tax per head of cattle, which increased their financial burden and forced many to sell their livestock.
What happened to the Maasai community during colonization?
The best grazing lands of the Maasai were taken over by white settlers for farming and game reserves, pushing them into a small, semi-arid area with poor pastures and restricted movement.
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