Introduction – Who Are Pastoralists?

• Pastoralists are people who rear cattle, sheep, goats, camels, or other animals and move from one place to another in search of grazing land and water.
• They do not settle in one place permanently and are often called nomads.
• They have a deep knowledge of the environment and manage grazing lands wisely.

Pastoral Communities in India

India has several pastoral groups living in different regions.

Pastoral Groups in the Himalayas

• Gujjars & Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir – Reared goats and sheep, moved to high-altitude pastures in summer.
• Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh – Moved between summer and winter grazing lands.

Pastoral Groups in the Plateaus and Deserts

• Banjaras of Rajasthan – Traded cattle and moved across northern India.
• Raikas of Rajasthan – Reared camels and sheep, adapted to desert conditions.

Pastoralists in South India

• Dhangars of Maharashtra – Shepherds and buffalo herders, moved between different regions for grazing.

Why Were Pastoralists Important?

Pastoralists played an important role in the economy by:

• Providing milk, meat, wool, and hides for local markets.
• Trading with farmers in exchange for grains and other goods.
• Transporting goods across regions using pack animals.

How British Rule Affected Pastoralists in India

The British introduced several laws that restricted the movement and activities of pastoralists.

The Wasteland Rules

• The British declared grazing lands as wastelands and took them for farming and plantations.
• This reduced available grazing land, forcing pastoralists to change their routes.

Forest Laws and Restrictions

• The British banned grazing in forests to protect timber for commercial use.
• Pastoralists were forced to get permits to enter forests, limiting their access to grazing lands.

The Criminal Tribes Act (1871)

• The British labeled some nomadic communities as “criminal tribes”, restricting their movement.
• They were forced to settle in villages and monitored by the police.

Taxation on Pastoralists

• Pastoralists were forced to pay taxes on every animal they grazed.
• Many became poorer as they could not afford the high taxes.

How Pastoralists Adapted to Colonial Rule

Pastoralists found new ways to survive under British restrictions.

• Reduced their herds – Kept fewer animals to adjust to limited grazing lands.
• Found alternative jobs – Some started working in farms, mines, and factories.
• Took shorter migration routes – Adjusted their seasonal movements to avoid taxes and forest restrictions.

Pastoralism in Africa – How It Changed Under Colonial Rule

• Africa also had many pastoral communities, such as the Maasai of East Africa.
• European colonial governments introduced laws similar to those in India, affecting African pastoralists.

Grazing Lands Were Taken Away

• Large areas of pasture were converted into European farms and game reserves.
• Pastoralists lost access to their traditional grazing lands.

Taxes and Restrictions on Movement

• Colonial governments taxed every animal grazed by pastoralists.
• Pastoralists had to get permits to move from one region to another.

Decline of the Maasai Tribe in East Africa

• The Maasai were a powerful pastoral community in Kenya and Tanzania.
• They lost their best grazing lands to the British and German settlers.
• Many were forced to become laborers on European farms.

Modern Challenges Faced by Pastoralists

Even today, pastoralists face difficulties due to government policies, climate change, and population growth.

• Land is being taken for industries, dams, and urban expansion.
• Many grazing lands are being turned into national parks and wildlife reserves.
• Climate change and droughts are making it harder to find grazing lands.

Conclusion

• Pastoralists are nomadic herders who move with their animals in search of grazing land.
• In India, different pastoral groups lived in the Himalayas, plateaus, deserts, and southern regions.
• The British restricted their movement, imposed taxes, and took away grazing lands.
• Pastoralists adapted by reducing their herds and taking up alternative jobs.
• In Africa, colonial rule also harmed pastoralists, especially the Maasai in East Africa.
• Even today, pastoralists struggle due to land loss, government policies, and climate change.