CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 7

Tribal Societies

• Societies in the subcontinent existed outside Brahmanical social structures, forming tribes based on kinship.
• Livelihoods were derived from agriculture, hunting, gathering, and herding, with some groups being nomadic.
• Each tribal group controlled resources collectively, dividing them among families as per their own customs.
• Tribes adapted to diverse landscapes, thriving in forests, hills, and deserts, often in conflict with caste-based societies.
• Tribal groups maintained cultural independence while also relying on caste societies for various needs.

Tribal Histories

• Historians and travelers offer limited information on tribes due to the absence of written records.
• Oral traditions have played a key role in preserving tribal histories across regions.
• Influential tribes included the Khokhars and Gakkhars in Punjab, and the Langahs and Arghuns in Sind.
• Balochis were a large tribe divided into clans, while Gaddis were shepherds in the Western Himalayas.
• Notable tribes in Bihar and Jharkhand included the Cheros, Mundas, and Santals.

Nomadic Life

• Nomadic pastoralists traveled with livestock, primarily relying on animal products for sustenance and engaging in trade for essentials.
• The Banjaras were significant trader nomads, transporting goods and supplying grain to Mughal armies.
• Various other groups, like petty pedlars and entertainers, traveled to sell goods and perform.

Evolving Social Structures

• The emergence of new skills led to the formation of smaller castes or jatis within the existing varna framework.
• Several tribes were incorporated into caste society, with specialized artisans recognized as distinct jatis.
• Rajput clans emerged among Kshatriyas, setting new social precedents.
• Most dominant tribes, particularly in Punjab and Sind, adopted Islam but largely rejected the caste system.

The Gonds

• The Gonds inhabited Gondwana and practiced shifting cultivation, with each clan led by its own raja.
• Gond kingdoms emerged as significant powers during the decline of Delhi Sultanate control.
• The kingdom of Garha Katanga, with around 70,000 villages, showcased a more centralized administrative system.
• The Mughals defeated the Gonds in 1565, leading to the capture of wealth and territory, although Gond kingdoms persisted for a time.

The Ahoms

• Ahoms migrated from Myanmar in the 13th century, establishing a new state by overthrowing the bhuiyans.
• They expanded their territory significantly by defeating neighboring kingdoms during the 16th century.
• The Ahoms employed firearms early on and exemplified organized military and public works systems.
• They introduced land grants and the concept of forced labor known as paiks during their centralization process.
• Despite adopting Hinduism, Ahom rulers retained elements of their original beliefs while also promoting cultural development through arts and literature.