Tribes, Nomads And Settled Communities Class 7 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 7 Social Science Tribes, Nomads And Settled Communities - 2025-26
1. What are some expected short-answer questions from the chapter 'Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities' for the 2025-26 exams?
For the Class 7 Social Science exam, you can expect 1 or 2-mark questions focusing on key definitions. Be prepared to answer questions like:
- Who were the Gonds?
- What is a 'tanda'?
- Define 'paiks' in the context of the Ahom state.
- Name two major tribal groups mentioned in the chapter found in western and central India.
2. How should I structure a 5-mark long answer on the administration of the Ahom state?
To score full marks on a long-answer question about Ahom administration, structure your answer with these key points:
- Start by mentioning that the Ahom state depended on forced labour, and define the term 'paiks'.
- Explain how a census was conducted to manage the 'paik' system and rotation of labour.
- Describe the centralisation of power, mentioning how the state became highly centralised by the first half of the seventeenth century.
- Mention the introduction of new technologies like firearms and cannons.
- Conclude by highlighting the role of the bhuiyans (landlords) and how their power was suppressed to build a large state.
3. What was the relationship between pastoral nomads and settled agriculturalists?
The relationship between pastoral nomads and settled agriculturalists was one of economic interdependence. Nomadic pastoralists, like the Banjaras, exchanged items like wool, ghee, and other animal products with settled communities. In return, they received grain, cloth, utensils, and other finished goods. This exchange was crucial for both societies, as nomads facilitated trade and transport while benefiting from the produce of settled agriculture.
4. How did the emergence of large states impact tribal societies?
The rise of large states and empires led to significant changes for tribal societies. Many tribes were integrated into the mainstream varna-based society, with their chiefs often granted land and administrative roles. For example, many Gond chiefs were recognised as Rajputs. This integration led to social hierarchies developing within tribal communities, and they gradually lost some of their political autonomy and unique cultural practices as they adopted the customs of the dominant kingdoms.
5. How did the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga become powerful and wealthy?
The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga grew powerful through a combination of strategic administration and economic activities. Their strength came from:
- Administrative System: They had a structured system where the kingdom was divided into 'garhs', each controlled by a Gond clan. A 'garh' was further divided into units of 84 villages called 'chaurasi'.
- Economic Wealth: The kingdom became wealthy by trapping and exporting wild elephants to other kingdoms, a highly profitable trade.
- Military Power: As their wealth grew, they built a strong army and even began granting land to Brahmin priests, indicating their status as a powerful, established kingdom.
6. Why is it incorrect to assume all tribal communities were nomadic hunter-gatherers?
This is a common misconception. While some tribes were nomadic, many were settled and practised different livelihoods. For example, the Gonds practised shifting cultivation (jhum) and later settled into stable agriculture, even forming large kingdoms like Garha Katanga. The Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley and established a powerful, centralised state with a sophisticated administrative system. This shows the vast diversity in the lifestyles and social structures of different tribal groups.
7. What kind of High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) question could be asked comparing the Gonds and the Ahoms?
A typical HOTS question would ask you to compare and contrast the state-formation processes of the Gonds and the Ahoms. Your answer should analyse:
- Origins: Ahoms migrated from present-day Myanmar, while Gonds were the original inhabitants of the region called Gondwana.
- Administration: Ahoms used the 'paik' system of forced labour, while the Gonds used a system of 'garhs' and 'chaurasi'.
- Social Integration: Gond chiefs often sought Rajput status to gain acceptance, whereas the Ahoms initially maintained their own tribal gods and language but later adopted Hinduism and the Assamese language.
8. What made the Banjaras the most important trader-nomads in medieval India?
The Banjaras were critically important to the medieval economy because they were not just traders but also expert transporters. Their caravans, known as 'tandas', could move vast quantities of goods across long distances. They were especially known for transporting grain for the Mughal army during military campaigns. Their ability to connect rural production centres with urban markets and large armies made them an indispensable part of the subcontinent's commercial life.
