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In NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 5 ‘Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities’ we learn about different tribes and their lifestyles, we will also gain a deeper understanding of the rich indian tapestry, etc. We have provided a summary of the chapter in the blog. In addition, the blog includes important definitions in this NCERT chapter. Also, we have provided solutions to questions in the Exercise in the lesson. Keep reading for more!!
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Table of Contents
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Summary: NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 5
NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 5 begins by introducing us to tribal people, shedding light on their unique way of life. We delve into the lives of nomads and mobile communities, learning about their nomadic lifestyle and how they adapted to their surroundings. The chapter then shifts focus to the emergence of new castes and hierarchies, providing insights into the evolving social structure. It’s a captivating journey through history, offering valuable perspectives on how societies transformed over time. We also encounter two specific tribal groups: the Gonds and the Ahoms. Their stories and contributions provide a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of Indian history. By studying this chapter, students will gain a comprehensive grasp of tribal societies and their crucial role in shaping India’s past.
Also Read: Tribes of India: The Ancient People & Their Culture
NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 5: Notes
- Clan: A clan is a group of families or households claiming descent from a common ancestor. The tribal organization is often based on kinship or clan loyalties.
- Nomads and itinerant groups: Nomads are wandering people. Many of them are pastoralists who roam from one pasture to another with their flocks and herds. Similarly, itinerant groups, such as craftspersons, pedlars, and entertainers travel from place to place practicing their different occupations. Both nomads and itinerant groups often visit the same places every year.
- Shifting cultivation: Trees and bushes in a forest area are first cut and burnt. The crop is sown in the ashes. When this land loses its fertility, another plot of land is cleared and planted in the same way.
Also Read: Indus Valley Civilization: Time-Period, Culture & Excavation Sites
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Download Social Science Class 7 History Chapter 5 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Download NCERT Solutions of Class 7 History Chapters Here
NCERT Solutions of Class 7 History Chapter 5: PDF Available!
1. Match the following:
| Garh | khel |
| Tanda | chaurasi |
| Labourer | caravan |
| Clan | Garha Katanga |
| Sib Singh | Ahom state |
| Durgawati | paik |
Ans:
| Garh | chaurasi |
| Tanda | caravan |
| Labourer | paik |
| Clan | khel |
| Sib Singh | Ahom state |
| Durgawati | Garha Katanga |
2. Fill in the blanks.
(a) The new castes emerging within varnas were called jatis.
(b) Buranjis were historical works written by the Ahoms.
(c) The Akbar Nama mentions that Garha Katanga had 70,000 villages.
(d) As tribal states became bigger and stronger, they gave land grants to poets and scholars.
3. State whether true or false:
(a) Tribal societies had rich oral traditions. True
(b) There were no tribal communities in the northwestern part of the subcontinent. False
(c) The chaurasi in Gond states contained several cities. False
(d) The Bhils lived in the northeastern part of the subcontinent. False
4. What kinds of exchanges took place between nomadic pastoralists and settled agriculturists?
Ans. Nomadic pastoralists and settled agriculturists exchanged goods and services. The pastoralists provided products like milk, wool, and other animal-related items, while the agriculturists offered grains, pottery, and tools. This exchange helped both groups meet their needs.
5. How was the administration of the Ahom state organized?
Ans. The Ahom state had a well-organized administration. At the top was the king, who had advisors to help him make decisions. The kingdom was divided into smaller units called “paras,” each headed by a powerful noble. They collected taxes and maintained order in their areas. The Ahom state had a structured system to ensure smooth governance.
6. What changes took place in varna-based society?
Ans. In a varna-based society, there were significant changes over time. Originally, society was divided into four main groups or varnas – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. However, as society evolved, new groups emerged. People’s roles were not strictly determined by birth, and some social mobility was possible. This led to a more complex and fluid social structure
7. How did tribal societies change after being organized into a state?
Ans. The rise of the Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. With the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. However, only the leading tribal families were allowed to join the ruling class. A large majority joined the lower jatis of caste society. Originally, some of the tribes, such as the Ahoms, worshipped their own tribal gods. During the first half of the seventeenth century, however, the influence of Brahmanas increased. During the reign of Sib Singh (1714-1744), Hinduism became the predominant religion, although the Ahom kings did not completely give up their traditional beliefs after adopting Hinduism. Varna-based society and tribal people constantly interacted with each other. This interaction caused both kinds of societies to adapt and change, and many different tribes took up diverse livelihoods. Over a period of time, many of them merged with caste-based societies. Others rejected both the caste system and orthodox Hinduism. Some tribes established extensive states with well-organized systems of administration and became politically powerful. As a result, this brought them into conflict with larger and more complex kingdoms and empires.
8. Were the Banjaras important for the economy?
Ans. Yes, the Banjaras were very important for the economy. They were skilled transporters who carried goods from one place to another, connecting different regions. This helped in the exchange of goods and contributed to the growth of trade and commerce. Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets. They transported food grain for the Mughal army during military campaigns.
9. In what ways was the history of the Gonds different from that of the Ahoms? Were there any similarities?
Ans. Both the Gonds and the Ahoms were the tribal communities that had centralised administration. They were divided into clans or jatis. But both these communities were different in the following ways:
- The Gonds lived in a vast forested region called Gondwana – or “country inhabited by Gonds”, and they practised shifting cultivation.
- The Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from present-day Myanmar in the thirteenth century and created a new state by suppressing the older political system of the bhuiyans (landlords).
- During the sixteenth century, they annexed the kingdoms of the Chhutiyas (1523) and of Koch-Hajo (1581) and subjugated many other tribes.
- When the Delhi Sultans were declining, a few large Gond kingdoms were beginning to dominate the smaller Gond chiefs.
- The Akbar Nama, a history of Akbar’s reign, mentions the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, which had 70,000 villages.
Explore Notes of All subjects of CBSE Class 7:-
| CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 English | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 History | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 Geography |
| CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 Civics | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 Mathematics | CBSE NCERT Notes Class 7 Science |
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FAQs
Ans: In a varna-based society, there were significant changes over time. Originally, society was divided into four main groups or varnas – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
Ans: A clan is a group of families or households claiming descent from a common ancestor. The tribal organization is often based on kinship or clan loyalties.
Ans: Nomads are wandering people. Many of them are pastoralists who roam from one pasture to another with their flocks and herds.
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