history

Activities in Towns and Villages

  • Agriculture and crafts flourished in villages.

  • Trade and commerce flourished in towns.

Social Changes in Different Regions

  • Social changes were not uniform across all places due to:

    • Diverse populations

    • Different types of occupations

    • Varied environments

    • Distinct cultural traditions

Varna System

  • Prescriber of Rules: The Brahmanas

  • Result of Varna System:

    • Division of society into different groups called varnas.

    • Classification based on occupation and social status.

Tribal Habitats

  • Tribol Dwellings:

    • Forests

    • Hills

    • Deserts

    • Difficult-to-reach areas

Tribes in Punjab

  • Tribe: Khokhars

Tribal Communities in Multan and Sind

  • Community: Langahs

Tribes in North-West India

  • Community: Gakkhars

Tribe in Western Himalaya

  • Community: Gaddis

Naga and Ahom Tribes

  • Habitat: North-eastern part of the subcontinent (present-day Assam region)

Trader Nomads

  • Most Important Nomads: Banjaras

Emergence of Rajput Clans

  • Tribal Groups Leading to Rajputs:

    • Huns

    • Chandel

    • Several others

Definition of 'Tanda'

  • Meaning: Tanda refers to a caravan or group of Banjaras traveling together with their families, cattle, and goods.

Tribes in Extreme South

  • Tribal Communities: Korahs, Vetars (Vettars)

Changes in Tribal Societies

  • Societal transformations included:

    • Settling down due to agriculture spread

    • Transition to peasantry or landownership

    • Ascendance to rulership (exemplified by the Ahoms)

Powerful Lineages

  • Examples of Lineages:

    • Rajputs

    • Jats

    • Marathas

    • Kshatriyas (warrior groups)

Basis of Social Division

  • Society was divided according to the varna system, based on occupation and social status.

Characteristics of Tribal Societies

  • Kinship bonds bind people together.

  • Absence of a rigid caste system.

  • Dependence on:

    • Hunting

    • Gathering

    • Shifting cultivation

    • Animal rearing

  • Worship of nature and ancestors.

  • Land and forests were commonly utilized.

Definition of Tribal Community

  • Meaning: A tribal community is a group of people sharing:

    • A common ancestor

    • Culture

    • Customs

    • Language

    • Living together in a specific region.

Meaning of 'Tribal'

  • Definition: Tribal refers to people belonging to a tribe, typically:

    • Living together in specific environments (forests or hilly areas)

    • Sharing common traditions and lifestyle.

Revision Quiz (NCERT – Class 7 History)

  1. In which century did the Ahoms migrate to the Brahmaputra valley from Myanmar?

    • Answer: 13th century

  2. Whose caravans were also called Tanda?

    • Answer: Banjaras

  3. On what basis were the members of each tribe united?

    • Answer: Kinship bonds

  4. Who among the following was defeated by the Mughals?

    • Answer: Langahs

  5. Who supported the tribes to become a part of the caste system?

    • Answer: Brahmans