Q.4. Discuss the main characteristics of the Nomadic Pastoralism. Write a note on their relationships with the settled communities. (20Marks)

 Ans. The nomadic pastoralists kept animal herds as their resources base and depending upon the size of regularly available pasturage maintained the size of their herds. The pastoral economy was more individualistic than agricultural economy. The major community issue among nomadic pastoralists might have been the management of pastures invoking strict regulations about their use with respect to the periodicity of usage and seasonal rights of usage. The nomadic pastoralists, says Romila Thapar, “generally had a fairly conventional organization, with marginal variations.

 

The family formed the core and patrilineal descent was often traced from a common ancestor”. Ecological and seasonal factors seemed to have played a central role in the life of nomadic pastoralists of the early period. Unmanageable distances traversed in search of good pasturage and water sources would have had a destabilising effect on the group. This would have given rise to some kind of territoriality, howsoever, loosely delineated. Subsequently, interaction between different territorial groups may al.

 

Hunter-gatherers slowly evolving into a pastoral culture and agricultural sedementism have been simultaneous process. It is evident that the nomadic pastoralists did not live in isolation of other communities and would have maintained a relationship with them. It is suggested by Romila Thapar that some pastoralists were nomadic, while others were semi-sedentary, occasionally practicing a minimal agriculture as well. Most pastoralists were part of a system of exchange that brought them into contact with cultivators and others. The archaeological sites yielding evidence on domesticated animals suggests that the size of the herd maintained by  pastoralists was not unduly large, was within manageable limits and therefore prone to developing, “Active symbiotic relations with neighbouring groups producing cereals”.

 

The relationship between pastoralists and cultivators was of advantage to both. The cereal requirements of the pastoralists were fulfilled by the farming communities. The additional labour intensive work of growing food-crops was therefore conveniently avoided by the pastoralists. They could give most of their time to keeping the animal herds in order. In return the agriculturalists received a regular supply of meat, wool and hide.

 

Over a period of time there would take place a multiplication in the variety of animals partially in response to a demand created by the agriculturists. The herd was also encouraged to visit the post-harvest fields so that the stubs left behind the harvesting operation would be cleaned and the droppings of animals would serve the purpose of manure. The periodic visit of nomadic pastoralists to the agricultural settlements would have resulted into the nomads taking up grazing services for the livestock maintained by the cultivating groups. The agricultural fodder was perhaps an item of exchange for this service in addition to a few other commodities. It is interesting to note that a different environment situation obtaining in peninsular India gave rise to a different kind of development. Though the area is generally rugged the drainage pattern of the main rivers has been such (from west to east) that pasture land in patches but in excellent condition has been available all over.

 

 

CONCLUSION

The settlements in this region exhibited a high imperative of maintaining a large population of cattle right from their inception. Livestock maintaining was in fact not as much as a problem as depending entirely on farming.

Reference:

- IGNOU MHI textbooks

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