On the Plateaus, Plains and Deserts

5.1.2 On the Plateaus, Plains and Deserts

Description

Quick Overview

This section discusses the life and movement patterns of pastoralists in India's plateaus, plains, and deserts, highlighting communities like the Dhangars, Gollas, Banjaras, and Raikas.

Standard

The section elaborates on various pastoral communities in India such as the Dhangars and Raikas, detailing their seasonal migrations, livelihoods, and interactions with agriculture. It also emphasizes how these communities adapted to both environmental and social changes, particularly during colonial rule, which severely impacted their grazing lands and traditional practices.

Detailed

In this section, we explore the diverse pastoral communities of India, including the Dhangars of Maharashtra, who migrate from semi-arid regions to agricultural tracts like the Konkan for seasonal grazing. The Gollas, Kurumas, and Banjaras are also examined for their unique adaptations to regional climates and agricultural practices. The Raikas of Rajasthan illustrate how pastoralists in arid conditions manage livestock alongside agriculture, especially during monsoon and dry seasons. Key historical influences, including colonial policies that restricted pastoral movements, are discussed to understand their lasting impact on these communities. We conclude by exploring how these pastoralists have navigated challenges and adapted their practices to sustain their livelihoods in a rapidly changing world.

Key Concepts

  • Pastoralism: An agricultural practice based on animal herding and seasonal movements.

  • Dhangar Mobility: Reflects how Dhangars utilize monsoon and dry seasons for grazing.

  • Raika Adaptation: Illustrates how Raikas combine agriculture with animal husbandry for survival.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Dhangars move with the rain, to Konkan fields, they gain, flocks of sheep, such a sight, grazing green, from morn till night.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once, in the arid lands of Rajasthan, the Raikas knew the dance of the seasons. During monsoon, they would cultivate and in summer, their camels would roam, seeking pastures that felt like home.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • D-R-F: Dhangars (stay and migrate), Raikas (cultivate and graze), Forest impact (colonial restrictions).

🎯 Super Acronyms

P-M-E

  • Pastoralist Movement & Environment adaption.

Examples

  • Dhangars migrate to the Konkan post-harvest to replenish their flocks with nutritious feed.

  • Raikas alternate between being settled in their villages during monsoons and moving to pasture during dry months.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Dhangars

    Definition:

    A pastoral community from Maharashtra known for their seasonal migration with sheep and cattle.

  • Term: Raikas

    Definition:

    Pastoralists in Rajasthan who combine herding with agriculture to cope with arid conditions.

  • Term: Pastoralism

    Definition:

    A form of agriculture focused on the herding of animals and seasonal movement to find pastures.

  • Term: Waste Land Rules

    Definition:

    Colonial policies that converted grazing lands into cultivated farms, impacting pastoralists.