Introduction – The Diversity of Indian Society

• Medieval India had a variety of social groups, including tribal people, nomads, and settled farmers.
• Tribal societies lived in forests, hills, and remote areas, following their own customs and traditions.
• Nomads (wandering people) moved from one place to another, depending on trade, animal herding, or seasonal work.
• Over time, some tribes and nomadic groups became settled communities, engaging in farming, trade, and administration.

Tribal Societies – Their Lifestyle and Social Structure

• Tribal societies did not follow the caste system like settled communities.
• They lived in forests, mountains, and isolated regions, practicing hunting, gathering, herding, and farming.
• Each tribe was led by a chief, and members were treated equally.
• They had their own languages, traditions, and customs, which were different from mainstream society.

Major Tribes in Medieval India

Nomadic Groups – The Wandering Communities

• Nomads did not settle in one place permanently.
• They moved seasonally in search of food, pasture for animals, or trade opportunities.
• Some nomads were traders (Banjaras), while others were entertainers (Doms, Kalbeliyas, Natts).

Famous Nomadic Groups

• Banjaras – Traded salt, grains, and cattle.
• Gujjars – Cattle herders in the Himalayan region.
• Gaddis – Shepherds of Himachal Pradesh.
• Lambadis – Nomadic traders in South India.

Settled Communities – The Growth of Agriculture and Towns

• Some tribes and nomads gradually settled in villages and towns.
• They took up agriculture, trade, and administrative roles.
• Large villages and towns emerged, which were controlled by powerful landlords or kings.

Impact of Settling Down

• Led to growth of agriculture and trade.
• Helped in the development of regional cultures.
• Increased interaction with kings and empires, making some tribes powerful.

How Tribes Interacted with Kingdoms and Empire

• As kingdoms expanded, rulers needed the support of tribal leaders for military and administration.
• Some tribal chiefs became zamindars (landlords) or nobles in royal courts.
• Some powerful tribal groups formed their own kingdoms and resisted Mughal rule.

Examples of Tribes that Became Powerful

• Ahoms (Assam) – Established a strong kingdom and resisted Mughal attacks.
• Gonds (Madhya Pradesh) – Controlled large areas and collected taxes.

The Emergence of Tribal Kingdoms in Medieval India

• Some tribal groups became powerful enough to establish their own kingdoms.
• They ruled over large areas and adopted administrative systems similar to mainstream rulers.

Example: The Ahom Kingdom (Assam)

• Founded in 1228 CE by Sukapha.
• Defeated the Mughals multiple times.
• Introduced advanced administration and a standing army.

Example: The Gond Kingdom (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh)

• Ruled by powerful chiefs (rajas).
• Controlled large areas and collected taxes.

Changes in Society – The Impact of State Expansion on Tribes

• As empires like the Mughals and Rajputs expanded, they tried to control tribal groups.
• Many tribal leaders adopted Hindu or Islamic customs to gain favor with rulers.
• Some tribes, however, resisted control and continued their traditional way of life.

Impact of State Expansion on Tribes

• Some tribes adopted settled agriculture and became landlords.
• Others were forced into forests and became marginalized.
• New caste-like divisions appeared among some tribes, where tribal chiefs became rulers, while ordinary members became workers.

Conclusion

• Medieval India had diverse social groups, including tribes, nomads, and settled communities.
• Tribal societies were independent, followed their customs, and did not follow the caste system.
• Nomads moved from place to place for trade, cattle herding, or entertainment.
• Some tribal groups settled and formed large kingdoms like the Ahoms and Gonds.
• As kingdoms expanded, many tribes adapted to new ways of life, but some resisted control.