CBSE Class 7 Social Science History Revision Notes Chapter 7

CBSE Class 7 History Chapter 7 Notes – Tribes, Nomads, and Settled Communities

Extramarks Class 7 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities Revision Notes are clear, thorough, and a useful resource for students to use to prepare for the exams. Chapter 7 History Notes in CBSE Class 7 are meticulously prepared according to the revised CBSE Syllabus by subject matter experts. Students can access the Chapter 7 Revision Notes for Class 7 History from the Extramarks website at their convenience. 

Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities Class 7 Notes History Chapter 7

Access Class 7 Social Science (History) Chapter 7 – Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities Notes

Introduction

Economic, political, and social changes have occurred in various communities. In many areas of the Indian subcontinent, the laws of Varna were used to divide society. The Brahmanas imposed the Varna system. The rich-poor divide has grown wider. However, during the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals, the social class system became even more hierarchical.

Tribal Societies Beyond the Big Cities

Tribes were groups of people who did not adhere to the social customs and rituals of the Brahmins and who did not form unequal communities.

Characteristics of Tribal Societies

The tribes live by engaging in occupations like agriculture, hunting and gathering, using natural resources, and many others. They also have their own kinship ties.

Some tribes lived in secluded places like hills, forests, and the interiors of deserts.

For their various needs, caste-based and tribal societies also depend on one another. Conflict and dependence in this relationship resulted in enormous changes in both societies.

Who Were the Tribal People?

There were tribes of people living in various parts of the continent. In the other areas, their influence and power varied.

The Khokhar tribe had a significant impact on Punjab during the 13th and 14th centuries. The Ghakkars gained prominence later; their leader, Kamal Khan Ghakkar, served as a mansabdar (noble) during Akbar’s rule.

The Langahs and Arghuns held influence over many areas in Multan and Sindh.

Another substantial and powerful tribe in the Northwest was the Balochis.

The Gaddis were a shepherding tribe in the Western Himalayas.

The Nagas, Ahoms, and many other peoples dominated the region’s Northeast.

By the 12th century, Chero chiefdoms had developed in many regions of what is now Jharkhand and Bihar.

Other notable tribes that lived in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal included the Mundas and Santals.

Kolis, Berads, and many others lived in the Maharashtra highlands and Karnataka. Gujarat was home to many Koli communities.

The Bhils tribe was widely dispersed throughout Central and Western India. The Gond tribe lived in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

 These tribes relied on farming, gathering food, etc.

How Did the Nomadic People Live?

Long-distance nomads travel with their livestock, and they consume dairy and rural goods. They bartered milk and other goods with established farmers in exchange for cloth, utensils, and other goods.

The Banjara trader nomads and their caravans were referred to as tanda.

The Banjaras were used by the emperors Alauddin Khilji and Jahangir to transport and sell grains to the markets and sell them in various towns and regions. During military campaigns, banjaras also transported food for the Mughal army.

Castes from various backgrounds travelled from village to village selling ropes, flannel sacks, and straw rugs.

Changing Society with New Castes and Hierarchies

People with new skills were needed as society’s needs and the economy expanded. Within varnas, smaller castes, or jatis, began to develop.

The Brahmanas also recognised specialised artisans like smiths, carpenters, and masons as separate jatis.

By the 11th and 12th centuries, new Rajput clans among the Kshatriyas rose to prominence. They belonged to numerous lineages, including the Chalukyas, Hunas, and Chandelas.

The following are the two most important tribal groups in Indian history:

The vast forest known as Gondwana is where the Gonds live.

Each of the smaller clans that made up the Gond tribe had its own Raja.

As the Delhi Sultans began to fall, a few large Gond kingdoms started to dominate the weaker Gond leaders.

These kingdoms’ governmental structures were becoming more centralised. Garhs were created to divide the kingdom.

The nature of Gond society changed with the emergence of large states. The Gond chiefs wanted their ethnicity to be recognised as Rajput. The title of Sangram Shah was adopted by Aman Das, the Gond raja of Garha Katanga.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the meaning of nomads and settled communities?

Class 7 Social Science History Chapter 7 Notes cover both nomadic people and other different settled communities. Nomads are referred to as people who move around in caravans without establishing a permanent home. The chapter also discusses settled communities, which illustrates how a location, region, or population is referred to as a community.

2. What is a tribe?

Tribes are characterised as distinct groups of people who do not adhere to any social norms and are therefore rejected by society. They later established their own tribe where they practised agriculture, hunting, and other activities. Over time, their bond grew stronger, and eventually, even their community evolved into the tribal society that still exists today.

3. What is the difference between nomads and tribes?

Both tribes and nomads are distinct social groups that disregard societal norms. In essence, nomads are those who do not have a specific native place of settlement. They are also known as banjaras in the local language because they are known to travel in caravans. Dairy products are consumed by nomads and are traded for goods like clothing and kitchenware. Tribes, on the other hand, have a permanent residence that is separate from the current society. They establish that region as their home, where similar people live and hunt to survive.