Fifteen key points focusing on key points mentioned in the class 9 history chapter 5, “Pastoralists in the Modern World.”
- 1850-55: G.C. Barnes wrote about the Gujjars of Kangra
- 1860s: Expansion of railway network in India
- 1880-1920: Expansion of cultivated area by 6.7 million hectares
- 1864: Indian Forest Service set up by Dietrich Brandis
- 1865: Formulation of the Indian Forest Act
- 1878: Amendment of the Indian Forest Act, categorization into reserved, protected, and village forests
- 1906: Imperial Forest Research Institute set up at Dehradun
- 1910: Rebellion in Bastar against forest policies
- 1913: H.S. Gibson wrote about the closure of forests to grazing
- 1928: Report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture regarding the decline of grazing area
- 1947: Length of railway tracks increased to over 765,000 km
The notes will help students prepare for exams and act as a refresher.
Thoroughly prepare for exams with Class 9 Social Science MCQ Questions and Answers based on the latest pattern.
MCQ Questions and Answers for Class 9 History Chapter 5 Pastoralists in the Modern World
Question 1: Who are nomadic pastoralists?
a) People who move with their herds in search of pastures
b) Farmers who cultivate crops
c) Traders in forest products
d) City dwellers who raise livestock
Answer:
a) People who move with their herds in search of pastures
Question 2: Which tribe in Jammu and Kashmir is known for herding goats and sheep?
a) Gaddis
b) Gujjar Bakarwals
c) Dhangars
d) Raikas
Answer:
b) Gujjar Bakarwals
Question 3: What is a “kafila” in the context of pastoralist movements?
a) A marketplace
b) A group of herders traveling together
c) A type of grazing ground
d) A forest department permit
Answer:
b) A group of herders traveling together
Question 4: What seasonal pattern do Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh follow?
a) Move to high meadows in summer and low hills in winter
b) Stay in one place throughout the year
c) Move to deserts in summer and coastal areas in winter
d) Depend on crop farming for their livelihood
Answer:
a) Move to high meadows in summer and low hills in winter
Question 5: What are “bugyals”?
a) High-altitude pastures
b) Dry forests in plains
c) Grazing lands in deserts
d) Forest reserves for wildlife
Answer:
a) High-altitude pastures
Question 6: Why do pastoralists move from one place to another?
a) To trade in marketplaces
b) To find fresh pastures and avoid overgrazing
c) To escape forest laws
d) To settle permanently in new areas
Answer:
b) To find fresh pastures and avoid overgrazing
Question 7: Where do Gujjar Bakarwals spend their winter months?
a) In the valley of Kashmir
b) In the Siwalik hills
c) In the high-altitude bugyals
d) In coastal plains
Answer:
b) In the Siwalik hills
Question 8: Which community in Garhwal and Kumaon depends on both cattle herding and high-altitude meadows?
a) Gaddis
b) Gujjars
c) Raikas
d) Bhotiyas
Answer:
d) Bhotiyas
Question 9: Why is the movement of pastoralists important for the environment?
a) It allows for reforestation
b) It prevents overgrazing and allows pastures to regenerate
c) It reduces timber harvesting
d) It increases tourism in forest areas
Answer:
b) It prevents overgrazing and allows pastures to regenerate
Question 10: What role do Dhangars of Maharashtra play in agriculture?
a) They cultivate rice
b) They fertilize fields with sheep manure
c) They grow sugarcane
d) They irrigate dry lands
Answer:
b) They fertilize fields with sheep manure
Question 11: Which pastoralist group migrates to the Konkan region during the dry season?
a) Gollas
b) Dhangars
c) Gujjar Bakarwals
d) Raikas
Answer:
b) Dhangars
Question 12: What makes the Raikas of Rajasthan unique among pastoralists?
a) They herd only camels
b) They practice both pastoralism and cultivation
c) They live permanently in the Thar Desert
d) They specialize in wool production
Answer:
b) They practice both pastoralism and cultivation
Question 13: What was a key feature of colonial policies towards forests?
a) Promotion of grazing lands
b) Restriction of pastoralists’ access to forests
c) Protection of pastoralist rights
d) Allowing free movement of herders
Answer:
b) Restriction of pastoralists’ access to forests
Question 14: What was the Forest Act of 1865 aimed at?
a) Establishing wildlife sanctuaries
b) Declaring forests as state property
c) Allowing unlimited grazing rights
d) Encouraging shifting cultivation
Answer:
b) Declaring forests as state property
Question 15: What were “reserved forests” under the colonial Forest Acts?
a) Forests where grazing and hunting were prohibited
b) Forests preserved for local villagers
c) Forests designated for pastoralists
d) Forests open for free use by herders
Answer:
a) Forests where grazing and hunting were prohibited
Question 16: How did the colonial government use taxes to control pastoralists?
a) Imposing a grazing tax on every animal
b) Collecting taxes only from wealthy herders
c) Encouraging tax-free grazing
d) Taxing only cultivated lands
Answer:
a) Imposing a grazing tax on every animal
Question 17: Why did colonial officials promote specific forest products?
a) To meet industrial demands in Europe
b) To support local communities
c) To conserve forests
d) To encourage tourism
Answer:
a) To meet industrial demands in Europe
Question 18: How did the Forest Acts affect pastoralists’ movements?
a) Pastoralists were confined to specific areas
b) Pastoralists gained more grazing rights
c) Movement became easier due to new roads
d) Grazing fees were abolished
Answer:
a) Pastoralists were confined to specific areas
Question 19: What was the purpose of the colonial “wasteland rules”?
a) To expand grazing lands
b) To convert uncultivated lands into productive agricultural fields
c) To conserve forest resources
d) To encourage pastoral activities
Answer:
b) To convert uncultivated lands into productive agricultural fields
Question 20: Why did the British impose restrictions on nomadic pastoralism?
a) To establish better control over the population
b) To conserve forests for hunting
c) To encourage industrialization
d) To support free movement of traders
Answer:
a) To establish better control over the population
Question 21: What was the impact of the Forest Acts on pastoralist communities?
a) Increased access to forest resources
b) Reduced grazing lands and forced migration
c) Improved living standards
d) Decrease in taxes
Answer:
b) Reduced grazing lands and forced migration
Question 22: How did grazing tax impact the pastoralists?
a) It reduced their financial burden
b) It forced them to reduce the size of their herds
c) It allowed them to access more forest areas
d) It encouraged cooperative farming
Answer:
b) It forced them to reduce the size of their herds
Question 23: What was the aim of the colonial government in restricting nomadic movements?
a) To tax and control them effectively
b) To provide better grazing lands
c) To reduce overgrazing
d) To support their livelihood
Answer:
a) To tax and control them effectively
Question 24: How did the colonial Forest Acts affect tribal communities living in forests?
a) They were allowed free access
b) They faced restrictions on hunting and collecting resources
c) They were appointed as forest officials
d) They were encouraged to practice shifting cultivation
Answer:
b) They faced restrictions on hunting and collecting resources
Question 25: Why did colonial authorities want to transform “waste” land into agricultural fields?
a) To generate more revenue from land taxes
b) To expand grazing areas for pastoralists
c) To conserve biodiversity
d) To grow forests for timber
Answer:
a) To generate more revenue from land taxes
Question 26: What was the role of the “grazing inspector” under colonial rule?
a) To collect grazing taxes
b) To distribute grazing permits
c) To monitor and restrict the movement of pastoralists
d) To encourage free movement in forest reserves
Answer:
c) To monitor and restrict the movement of pastoralists
Question 27: How did the closure of forest grazing lands affect the Raikas of Rajasthan?
a) They began practicing settled agriculture
b) They reduced their herd sizes and migrated further
c) They gained access to new forest reserves
d) They abandoned pastoralism entirely
Answer:
b) They reduced their herd sizes and migrated further
Question 28: How did pastoralists adapt to the changes imposed by colonial policies?
a) By migrating to new areas
b) By abandoning pastoralism completely
c) By forming large-scale farms
d) By settling in urban areas
Answer:
a) By migrating to new areas
Question 29: Why did some pastoralists reduce the size of their herds?
a) Due to limited grazing lands and higher taxes
b) To focus on farming
c) To avoid conflicts with forest officials
d) To improve their financial status
Answer:
a) Due to limited grazing lands and higher taxes
Question 30: What strategy did the Maasai of Africa adopt to cope with colonial restrictions?
a) They sought employment on European farms
b) They formed alliances with colonial governments
c) They migrated to urban centers
d) They practiced settled agriculture
Answer:
a) They sought employment on European farms
Question 31: How did the Raikas of Rajasthan respond to changes in grazing policies?
a) They diversified into camel breeding
b) They stopped migrating entirely
c) They relied on crop farming exclusively
d) They started mining activities
Answer:
a) They diversified into camel breeding
Question 32: What was the major form of resistance by pastoralists against colonial restrictions?
a) Violent uprisings
b) Filing petitions and protests
c) Continued migration despite restrictions
d) Settling in urban areas
Answer:
c) Continued migration despite restrictions
Question 33: How did the Dhangars of Maharashtra maintain their pastoral practices?
a) By fertilizing agricultural fields with sheep manure
b) By switching to camel herding
c) By adopting large-scale crop cultivation
d) By trading livestock with urban centers
Answer:
a) By fertilizing agricultural fields with sheep manure
Question 34: Why did some pastoralists migrate to urban areas under colonial rule?
a) To seek alternative employment
b) To avoid colonial taxes
c) To sell forest products
d) To gain access to education
Answer:
a) To seek alternative employment
Question 35: What new opportunities did the Maasai find under colonial rule?
a) Working as soldiers in colonial armies
b) Cultivating food crops
c) Selling livestock products to European settlers
d) Guarding forest reserves
Answer:
a) Working as soldiers in colonial armies
Question 36: Why did the colonial government encourage some pastoralists to settle down?
a) To make them easier to control and tax
b) To promote livestock farming
c) To conserve grazing lands
d) To train them in industrial work
Answer:
a) To make them easier to control and tax
Question 37: How did pastoralists use their knowledge of the environment to adapt to restrictions?
a) By finding alternative grazing routes
b) By abandoning their herding practices
c) By adopting new forms of cultivation
d) By building permanent settlements
Answer:
a) By finding alternative grazing routes
Question 38: Why did the colonial government want to control the movement of pastoralists?
a) To ensure steady revenue through taxation
b) To provide them better grazing opportunities
c) To help them find permanent settlements
d) To encourage international trade
Answer:
a) To ensure steady revenue through taxation
Question 39: What was a major consequence of the enclosure of grazing lands in Maasailand?
a) Decreased livestock population
b) Increased migration to cities
c) Expansion of farmland
d) Introduction of new grazing policies
Answer:
a) Decreased livestock population
Question 40: Why did the Maasai face food shortages during droughts?
a) They lost access to their traditional grazing lands
b) They were forced to grow cash crops
c) They abandoned livestock herding
d) They were prohibited from using rivers
Answer:
a) They lost access to their traditional grazing lands
Question 41: What role did livestock play for pastoralists in times of scarcity?
a) It was a source of trade and survival
b) It allowed them to settle permanently
c) It replaced crop farming entirely
d) It provided industrial goods
Answer:
a) It was a source of trade and survival
Question 42: How did African pastoralists respond to the increasing demand for cash crops?
a) They combined herding with growing crops like maize and cotton
b) They stopped raising livestock
c) They abandoned traditional grazing lands
d) They migrated to neighboring countries
Answer:
a) They combined herding with growing crops like maize and cotton
Question 43: How did colonial rule affect the global pastoral economy?
a) It disrupted traditional grazing systems
b) It increased migration opportunities
c) It improved trade of livestock
d) It expanded access to pastures
Answer:
a) It disrupted traditional grazing systems
Question 44: Why did the colonial government encourage the production of cash crops?
a) To generate revenue for colonial powers
b) To support local food security
c) To help pastoralists settle permanently
d) To conserve grazing lands
Answer:
a) To generate revenue for colonial powers
Question 45: What was the impact of increasing population on pastoral lands?
a) Pastoral lands were converted to farmlands
b) Pastures became more abundant
c) Grazing rights were expanded
d) Traditional herding practices improved
Answer:
a) Pastoral lands were converted to farmlands
Question 46: How did the introduction of boundaries in Maasailand affect the Maasai community?
a) It restricted their movement and reduced grazing lands
b) It provided better pastures for livestock
c) It promoted cooperative farming
d) It encouraged international trade
Answer:
a) It restricted their movement and reduced grazing lands
Question 47: Why do modern pastoralists face pressure to change their traditional practices?
a) Due to increasing urbanization and shrinking pastures
b) To increase livestock production
c) To adopt more sustainable methods
d) To reduce government control
Answer:
a) Due to increasing urbanization and shrinking pastures
Question 48: How has climate change impacted pastoralists worldwide?
a) It has led to droughts and water scarcity
b) It has increased access to grazing lands
c) It has reduced livestock diseases
d) It has encouraged new herding techniques
Answer:
a) It has led to droughts and water scarcity
Question 49: What is the significance of mobile pastoralism in today’s world?
a) It supports biodiversity and sustainable land use
b) It reduces livestock population
c) It increases industrial production
d) It replaces agriculture
Answer:
a) It supports biodiversity and sustainable land use
Question 50: How have some pastoralists maintained their traditions in modern times?
a) By combining herding with agriculture and trade
b) By abandoning their nomadic lifestyle
c) By forming industrial cooperatives
d) By relying entirely on government support
Answer:
a) By combining herding with agriculture and trade
Question 51: What challenges do African pastoralists face in the 21st century?
a) Land fragmentation and water scarcity
b) Unlimited access to grazing lands
c) Decreased demand for livestock
d) Reduced government intervention
Answer:
a) Land fragmentation and water scarcity
Question 52: Why is mobile pastoralism considered environmentally beneficial?
a) It prevents overgrazing and promotes land regeneration
b) It relies on high-tech agricultural methods
c) It eliminates the need for large herds
d) It reduces rural populations
Answer:
a) It prevents overgrazing and promotes land regeneration
Question 53: How do pastoralist communities contribute to the global economy today?
a) By supplying meat, milk, and wool products
b) By expanding agricultural lands
c) By reducing livestock populations
d) By supporting industrial development
Answer:
a) By supplying meat, milk, and wool products
Question 54: How do modern governments assist pastoralist communities?
a) By providing grazing permits and drought relief
b) By encouraging urban migration
c) By limiting livestock production
d) By promoting industrial work
Answer:
a) By providing grazing permits and drought relief
Question 55: Why are pastoralist traditions important in conserving ecosystems?
a) They promote sustainable land and water use
b) They encourage industrialization
c) They replace traditional farming
d) They discourage biodiversity
Answer:
a) They promote sustainable land and water use
Question 56: What major change have pastoralists adopted to sustain their livelihoods?
a) Combining livestock herding with farming and trade
b) Reducing livestock herding completely
c) Abandoning their traditional practices
d) Relying only on government aid
Answer:
a) Combining livestock herding with farming and trade
Question 57: What is the role of NGOs in supporting pastoralist communities?
a) Providing education and advocating for land rights
b) Replacing livestock with industrial jobs
c) Reducing their dependence on natural resources
d) Limiting their movements permanently
Answer:
a) Providing education and advocating for land rights
Question 58: What was one unintended benefit of colonial restrictions on pastoralists?
a) Development of alternative grazing strategies
b) Increased access to grazing lands
c) Freedom to migrate across colonies
d) Expansion of trade routes
Answer:
a) Development of alternative grazing strategies
Question 59: Why is it important to preserve the knowledge of pastoralist communities?
a) It provides sustainable solutions for land management
b) It promotes complete industrialization
c) It focuses solely on economic gains
d) It helps in abandoning rural lifestyles
Answer:
a) It provides sustainable solutions for land management
Question 60: How do pastoralists help maintain biodiversity in grasslands?
a) By rotating grazing areas to prevent overuse
b) By planting monoculture crops
c) By settling in urban areas
d) By reducing livestock numbers significantly
Answer:
a) By rotating grazing areas to prevent overuse
Match the following Class 9 History Chapter 5 Pastoralists in the Modern World
Question
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Introduction of Waste Land Rules | (a) Confinement of pastoralists to arid zones |
| (ii) Establishment of Forest Acts | (b) Loss of traditional grazing lands |
| (iii) Implementation of the Criminal Tribes Act | (c) Decline in the number of livestock |
| (iv) Enforcing Grazing Tax | (d) Restricted pastoral movements |
| (v) Creation of game reserves | (e) Increased control over nomadic tribes |
Answer
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Introduction of Waste Land Rules | (b) Loss of traditional grazing lands |
| (ii) Establishment of Forest Acts | (d) Restricted pastoral movements |
| (iii) Implementation of the Criminal Tribes Act | (e) Increased control over nomadic tribes |
| (iv) Enforcing Grazing Tax | (c) Decline in the number of livestock |
| (v) Creation of game reserves | (a) Confinement of pastoralists to arid zones |
Fill in the Blanks Questions for Class 9 History Chapter 5 Pastoralists in the Modern World
Now lets solve 12 fill-in-the-blank questions from 5th chapter:
1. Nomadic pastoralists are people who do not live in one place but move from one area to another to ___.
Answer:
earn their living
2. The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir are great herders of ___ and ___.
Answer:
goat, sheep
3. In summer, the Gujjar Bakarwals move their herds to the ___ of Kashmir.
Answer:
valley
4. The Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh move to ___ and ___ in the summer.
Answer:
Lahul, Spiti
5. Dhangars of Maharashtra were an important pastoral community known for rearing ___.
Answer:
sheep
6. The dry central plateau of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is inhabited by ___, ___, and ___ herders.
Answer:
cattle, goat, sheep
7. The colonial state transformed all grazing lands into ___ farms to increase its revenue collection.
Answer:
cultivated
8. The Forest Acts classified forests into ‘___’ and ‘___’ categories.
Answer:
Reserved, Protected
9. The colonial government imposed a ___ on animals grazed on pastures to expand its revenue income.
Answer:
tax
10. The Raikas of Rajasthan are known for herding ___ and ___.
Answer:
camels, sheep
11. The Maasai pastoralists live primarily in ___ and ___.
Answer:
Kenya, Tanzania
12. During the colonial period, large areas of Maasai grazing land were turned into ___ like Maasai Mara and Serengeti Park.
Answer:
game reserves
