Question

Write briefly about the pastoral nomads found in different parts of India.

Answer 1

Hint: In order to find new pastures on which to graze, nomadic pastoralism is a type of pastoralism when livestock are herded. In regions with little arable land, usually in the developing world, especially in the steppe lands north of Eurasia's agricultural zone, nomadic pastoralism is commonly practiced.

Complete Answer:
Pastoral nomadism, one of the three general forms of nomadism, a way of life for people who do not live permanently in the same place but travel cyclically or regularly. Pastoral nomads, who rely on domesticated livestock, migrate to the developed territory to find pasture for their animals.
In various parts of India, such as in the mountains, on plateaus, plains and deserts, pastoral nomads have been identified.

Within the mountains: The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir were great goat-sheep herders. Between their summer and winter grazing grounds, they switch annually. The Gujjar herders went up to the high meadows in the summer, the Bugyals, and down to the dry forests of the Bhabar in the winter.
Himachal Pradesh's Gaddi shepherds had a comparable period of seasonal movement. In the low hills of the Siwalik range, too, they spent their winter grazing their flock in scrub forests. They had moved north by April and spent the summer in Lahaul and Spiti.
Many of them went on to higher mountain meadows when the snow melted and the high passes became open. By September, the return of their movement began.

Over the Plateaus: The Dhangars were an important Maharashtra pastoral group. They were mainly shepherds, blanket weavers, and some were buffalo herders. Kharif and rabi crops have been grown, such as bajra and rice. The pastoral groups who lived in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were the Gollas, Kurumas and Kurubas. They herded cattle with the Gollas. Sheep and goats were reared by the Kurumas and Kurubas and woven blankets were sold. They planted small plots of land and also became interested in a number of small businesses.

Over the plains: Another well-known community of graziers was the Banjaras. They were located in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra villages. In pursuit of good pasture land for their cattle, they have traveled across long distances. Practice was popular among them to sell plough cattle and other goods to villagers in exchange for grain and fodder.

In Deserts: The Raikas lived in Rajasthan's deserts. In this area, they received meager and uncertain rainfall. The Riakas of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner remained in their home villages during the monsoons, and they moved out in search of other pasture and water by October when these grazing grounds were dry and exhausted, and returned again during the next monsoon. One group of Raikas herded cattle, known as Maru (desert) Raikas, and the other group raised sheep and goats.

Note: In areas which did not support agriculture, pastoral nomads existed. Animals such as sheep and goats served much of their needs, relying on animal herding. Nomads traveled to give their animals new pastures. Pastoral nomads communicated with settled people, trading and even battling with them in their movement.