Chapter-7: Tribes, nomads and settled communities

These NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 7 notes explain the diversity of Indian society between 700 CE and 1750 CE. The chapter focuses on tribes, nomads and settled communities that lived alongside caste-based agricultural societies.

Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities introduces tribal social organisation, sources of livelihood, and important tribes like the Gonds, Ahoms, Bhils and Banjaras. It also explains how some tribal groups formed powerful states and interacted with expanding agricultural and caste-based societies.

This chapter helps students understand social change, cultural interaction and the impact of state expansion in medieval India.

1. Introduction

• Between 700 CE and 1750 CE, Indian society was not the same everywhere.
• Along with settled, caste-based farming societies, many tribal communities existed.
• Nomadic pastoral groups also lived alongside settled populations.
• These groups mainly lived in forests, hills, deserts and difficult terrains.
• Different ways of life existed together in medieval India, just like today.

2. What are tribal societies

• Tribal societies were united by strong kinship bonds.
• There was no rigid caste hierarchy in tribal life.
• Land and natural resources were usually owned collectively.
• Important decisions were taken by tribal elders.
• Tribes followed shared customs, traditions and ways of living.
• A tribe is a community bound by kinship and common customs.

3. Livelihood of tribes

• Tribes depended on different economic activities for survival.
• Many tribes practised agriculture on a small scale.
• Hunting and gathering were common sources of food.
• Animal herding was an important activity for pastoral groups.
• Nomadic tribes moved from place to place following seasons.
• Pastoral nomads travelled in search of grazing land.

4. Important tribes and regions

• The Gonds lived in Central India, especially in Garha Katanga.
• The Gond economy depended on agriculture and forest produce.
• The Ahoms lived in Assam and developed a strong state system.
• The Ahoms maintained written records called Buranjis.
• The Bhils lived in Western India and were skilled archers.
• The Banjaras were nomadic traders who transported goods in caravans.

5. Tribal states and administration

• Some tribes gradually became politically powerful.
• These tribes formed their own kingdoms.
• The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga was a powerful tribal state.
• It is mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari as having about 70,000 villages.
• Administration was organised around forts called Garh.
• A Garh was a fort or an administrative unit.

6. Ahom administration

• The Ahom state did not follow the jagir system.
• It introduced a compulsory labour system called the Paik system.
• Under this system, adult males had to serve the state.
• Service was given on a rotational basis.
• The Ahoms maintained detailed historical records known as Buranjis.
• This system helped the Ahoms maintain a strong administration.

7. Interaction with caste-based society

• Tribes interacted regularly with caste-based societies.
• The relationship involved conflict, cooperation and trade.
• Tribes exchanged forest produce for agricultural goods.
• Over time, many tribes adopted settled agriculture.
• Some tribes accepted caste practices.
• Many tribal communities gradually lost their independence.

8. Social changes

• Expansion of agriculture led to large-scale clearing of forests.
• This expansion caused displacement of tribal communities.
• New peasant communities emerged in cleared areas.
• Tribes were slowly integrated into state systems.
• Social structure of rural areas changed significantly.
• Agricultural expansion deeply affected tribal life.

9. Important keywords

• Tribe refers to a community bound by kinship and customs.
• Nomad is a person who moves from place to place.
• Pastoralist depends mainly on animal herding.
• Garh means a fort or administrative centre.
• Paik was a compulsory labour system of the Ahoms.
• Buranji refers to Ahom historical records.
• Caravan is a group of traders travelling together.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 7 is important to learn how tribal and nomadic groups adapted to political and economic changes in medieval India. The chapter clearly explains their lifestyle, administration and interaction with settled societies.

The ideas discussed in Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities help students analyse social diversity and change in Indian history and are highly useful for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

Continue reading NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 8 – Devotional Paths to the Divine to understand how Bhakti and Sufi movements transformed religious life in medieval India.

FAQs

Q1. Who were tribes in medieval India?
Tribes were communities united by kinship, common customs and collective ownership of resources.

Q2. What were nomadic pastoralists?
Nomadic pastoralists were groups who moved from place to place with their animals in search of grazing land.

Q3. Which tribe built a strong state system in Assam?
The Ahoms built a strong and organised state system in Assam.

Q4. What was the Paik system?
The Paik system was a compulsory labour system used by the Ahom state.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains social diversity and change in medieval India, making it important for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.