CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 5 help students clearly understand how pastoral communities lived, migrated, and adapted to modern changes. The chapter explains the lifestyles of nomadic herders, their economic roles, and how British colonial policies transformed their movement, grazing rights, and livelihoods.
Practising Pastoralists in the Modern World Class 9 Important Questions makes it easier for students to remember key concepts such as seasonal migration, the Maasai of Africa, colonial restrictions, and the impact of modern nation-states.
These CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 5 strengthen conceptual clarity and boost exam scoring.
Pastoralists in the Modern World Important Questions Class 9 Chapter 5
Below are the important questions of Pastoralists in the Modern World Class 9:
Section –A [1 Mark]
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Raika pastoral community belongs to_______?
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Jammu and Kashmir
(D) Maharashtra
Ans. (B) -
Who was the deputy Consevator of forests at Darjeeling in the year 1913?
(A) H S Gibson
(B) Buchanan
(C) Francis Hamilton
(D) De Brett
Ans. (A) -
The ____________ of Maasai society wear traditional deep red ‘shukas’, brightly beaded jewellery and steel tipped spears.
(A) Elders
(B) Warriors
(C) Rulers
(D) Villagers
Ans. (B) -
Name the game reserve of Tanzania?
(A) Samburu National Park
(B) Maasai Mara National Reserve
(C) Serengeti National Park
(D) None of the above
Ans. (C) -
The pastoralist community who herded cattle in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were known as ___.
(A) Kurumas
(B) Gollas
(C) Kurubas
(D) Dhangars
Ans. (B) -
Who are nomads?
Sol. Nomads are the people who move from one place to another in search of food and fodder. -
Who were the Dhangara?
Sol. The Dhangars were an important pastoral community of Maharashtra. Most of them were shepherds, some were blanket weavers, and still others, were buffalo herders. -
How is movement of Dhangar different than that of Gujjars?
Sol. Dhangar’s movement is guided by the annual cycle of monsoon whereas Gujjar’s movement depends upon change of season i.e. winter and summer. -
Mention the state to which the Gujjar Bakarwals belong to?
Sol. Jammu & Kashmir -
The “Maasai society was divided into two social categories”. Name two categories.
Sol. The Elders and WarriorsSection –B [2 Marks]
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Name the Act which was passed by the British government to limit the movement of the nomadic people. Mention any two features of the Act.
Sol. The Criminal Tribes Act- By this Act, many communities of craftsmen, traders and pastoralists were classified as Criminal Tribes. Under this Act, various restrictions were put on their movement. -
“Large areas of grazing land were turned into game reserves.” Mention its two impacts on pastoral communities.
Sol. • Pastoralists were not allowed to enter these reserves.
• The loss of the finest grazing lands and water resources created pressure on the small area of land that the Maasai were confined within.
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Explain the annual movement of the Gujjar Bakarwals.
Sol. The Gujjar Bakarwals migrated to Jammu and Kashmir in the 19th century in search of pastures for their animals
• Winter: When the high mountains were covered with snow and there was lack of pastures at the high altitude, they moved to low hills of the Shiwalik. The dry scrub forests here provided pastures for their herds. By the end of April, they began their northern march for their summer grazing grounds.
• Summer: With the onset of summer, the snow melted and the mountain sides became lush green. By the end of September, the Bakarwals started their backward journey.
14. Describe the life of pastoralists inhabiting the mountains of India.
Sol. (a) The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh, the Gujjar cattle herders of Garhwal and Kumaun, the Bhotiyas, the Sherpas and Kinnauris move annually between their summer and winter grazing grounds governed by the cycle of seasonal movements.
(b) They adjust their movements to seasonal changes and make effective use of available pastures in different places. When pastures are exhausted or unstable in one place they move their herds to new areas.
15. How did the British administer the affairs of the Maasai community?
Sol. The British appointed chiefs of different sub- groups of the Maasai community to administer their affairs. They were made responsible for the affairs of the tribe. The chiefs appointed by the colonial government accumulated wealth over the years. They had a regular income with which they could buy animals, goods and land. Many of them began living in towns, and became involved in trade.
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What are Gujjar Mandaps?
Sol. The huts in which the Gujjar cattle herders, of Ghahwal stay, are called Gujjar Mandaps. These huts are made up of bamboo and grass. They are situated at about 10,000 to 11,000 feet, as buffaloes cannot climb any higher. The mandap is also a work place for the herders. They make ghee in these huts. -
What was the occupation of the pastoral communities of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh?
Sol. The pastoral communities of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka herded cattle, raised sheep and goats and sold woven blankets. Of them the Kurumas and Kurubas lived near the woods, cultivated small patches of land and indulged in a variety of petty trades. -
What was the Grazing Act? Or why did the pastoralists hate the Grazing Act?
Sol. By the Grazing Act, the British levied tax on the pastoralists, on every animal they took to pastures to graze. It was hated by the impoverished pastoral community for it’s was contrary to their customary rights.
Section –C [3 Marks]
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Many ecologists believe that in dry regions and in the mountains, pastoralism is still ecologically the most viable form of life’. Do you agree? Justify by giving reasons.
Sol. Yes, in dry regions and in the mountains, pastoralism is still ecologically the most viable form of life because:
• In winter, when the high mountains are covered with snow the pastoralists need to move in the low hills in search of pastures.
• The people of central plateau of Maharashtra need to move out of the plateau during the dry season in search of pastures. They migrate towards the Konkan region manuring the fields of the Konkan farmers.
• In the hilly areas or dry regions if the pastoralists do not move the, continuous intense grazing of the pastures will lead to deterioration of pastures. -
How do droughts affect the life of pastoralists? Explain.
Sol. Limited grazing area: Because of the restrictions on the movement of- nomads, they were bound down to a fixed area. They were cut off from the best grazing lands, and forced to live within a semi-arid tract prone to frequent droughts. Death of animals: Since lots of restrictions were imposed on their movements, so they could not move to places where pastures were available. Due to this, there was shortage of fodder. A large number of Maasai cattle died of starvation and disease. -
Discuss the factors on which the life of pastoralists depends.
Sol. Pastoralists live in small villages, in plateaus, in deserts or near the skirt of the woods. They cultivate a small piece of land; keep herds of cattle, flocks of sheep and goats or herds of camels. They move between their summer and winter pastures with their herds, selling plough cattle and their things to farmers and getting grain and rice, selling milk and ghee, animal skin and wool. The pastoral life is sustained by the knowledge of:
• How long to stay in one area
• How to find food and water for their herds
• How to assess the timing of their movement
• Their ability to set up relationship with farmers.
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Compare the lives of African pastoralists with pastoralists in India during the colonial period.
Sol. There are many similarities in the way in which the modern world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and Africa. All uncultivated land was seen as wasteland by colonial powers. It produced neither revenue nor agricultural produce. This land was brought under cultivation. In most areas the lands taken over were actually grazing tracts used regularly by pastoralists. So, expansion of cultivation inevitably meant the decline of pastures and a problem both for Indian pastoralists and the Maasai. From the 19th century onwards, the colonial government started imposing restrictions on the pastoral communities. They were issued permits which allowed them to move out with their stocks and it was difficult to get permits without trouble and harassment. Those found guilty of disobeying rules were punished. -
Elaborate on the seasonal movement of Dhangars of Maharashtra.
Sol. The Dhangars live in the central plateau of Maharashtra during the monsoon season. They use it as a grazing ground for their flock and herds. They sow their dry crop of ‘bajra’ here during the monsoon season. By October, they reap the harvest and move to Konkan–a fertile agricultural region. The Konkan peasants welcome them to manure and fertilise their fields for the ‘rabi’ crop. The flocks manure the fields and feed on the stubble. They stay here till the monsoon arrives and then move on to the dry plateau. They carry with them the rice given by the Konkans.
Section –D [5 Marks]
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Describe the cycle of seasonal movement of the Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh.
Sol. • They spent their winter in the low hills; of the Shiwalik range, grazing their flocks in the scrub forests.
• By April, they moved north, and spent the summer in Lahul and Spiti. When the snow melted and the high passes were clear, many of them moved on to higher mountain meadows.
• By September, they began their return movement.
•On the way, they stopped once again in the villages of Lahul and Spiti, reaping their summer harvest, and sowing their winter crop.
• Then they descended with their flock to their winter grazing grounds, on the Shiwalik hills.
• Next April, once again, they began their march with their goats and sheep, to the summer meadow -
Explain the various laws introduced by the British and explain how these laws changed the lives of the pastoralists.
Sol. (a) Waste land Rules : Under this, uncultivated land was brought under cultivation. The basic aim was to increase land revenue because by expanding cultivation Government could increase its revenue collection. Impact on the lives of the pastoralists:
• After the Act, the mobility of nomads was restricted.
• Under the Act the grazing land was given to big landlords. Due to this nomads’ grazing grounds shrank.
• Due to shrinking grazing grounds, the agricultural stock of the nomads declined and their trade and crafts were adversely affected.
(b) Forest Acts: Under the Forest Acts forest were classified into : Reserved Forests Protected forests Impact on the lives of the pastoralists :
• They were now prevented from entering many forests. So there was a reduction in their grazing grounds.
• After the laws, their movements were regulated
(c) Criminal Tribes Act: In 1871, the colonial government in India passed the Criminal Tribes Act. By this Act, many communities of craftsmen, traders and pastoralists were classified as Criminal Tribes. They were stated to be criminal by nature and birth. Once this Act came into force, these communities were expected to live only in notified village settlements. They were not allowed to move out without a permit. The village police kept a continuous watch on them. This restricted their grazing grounds. Their agricultural stock declined, and their trades and crafts were adversely affected.
(d) Grazing Tax: The Grazing tax was imposed on the pastoralists. Pastoralists had to pay tax on every animal they grazed on the pastures. In most pastoral tracts of India, grazing tax was introduced in the mid-nineteenth century. Impact on the lives of pastoralists:
• As the tax had to be paid in cash so pastoralists started selling their animals.
• The heavy burden of taxes had an adverse impact on their economic status. Now most of the pastoralists started taking loans from the money lenders. -
Why did the Maasai face the problem of continuous loss of their grazing lands under the colonial rule? Give reasons.
Sol. (a) Closing the borders: In the late nineteenth century, the European imperial powers scrambled for territorial possessions in Africa, slicing up the region into different colonies. In 1885, Maasailand was cut into half with an international boundary between British Kenya and German Tanganyika. Subsequently, the best grazing lands were gradually taken over for the White settlement and the Maasai were pushed into a small area in South Kenya and North Tanzania. The Maasai lost about 60 per cent of their pre-colonial lands. They were confined to an arid zone with uncertain rainfall, and poor pastures.
(b) Expansion of Cultivation: From the late nineteenth century, the British colonial government in East Africa also encouraged local peasant communities to expand cultivation. As cultivation expanded, pasturelands were turned into cultivated fields. In pre-colonial times, the Maasai pastoralists had dominated their agricultural neighbours, both economically and politically. By the end of colonial rule, the situation had reversed.
(c) Setting up of reserves: Large areas of grazing land were also turned into game reserves like the Maasai Mara and Samburu National Park in Kenya and Serengeti Park in Tanzania. Pastoralists were not allowed to enter these reserves; they could neither hunt animals nor graze their herds in these areas. Very often, these reserves were in areas that had traditionally been regular grazing grounds for the Maasai herds. The Serengeti National Park, for instance, was created over 14,760 km. of the Maasai grazing land.
(d) Deterioration of the quality of pastures: The loss of the finest grazing lands and water resources created pressure on the small area of land that the Maasai were confined within. Continuous grazing within a small area inevitably meant a deterioration of the qualify of pastures. Fodder was always in short supply. Feeding the cattle became a persistent problem.
(e) Droughts and death of animals: Since lots of restrictions were imposed on the movement of pastoralists, so they could not move to places where pastures were available. Due to this, there was shortage of fodder. A large number of Maasai cattle died of starvation and disease.
Section –E [4 Marks]
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Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: Drought affects the life of pastoralists everywhere. When rains fail and pastures are dry, cattle are likely to starve unless they can be moved to areas where forage is available. That is why, traditionally, pastoralists are nomadic; they move from place to place. This nomadism allows them to survive bad times and avoid crises.
But from the colonial period, the Maasai were bound down to a fixed area, confined within a reserve, and prohibited from moving in search of pastures. They were cut off from the best grazing lands and forced to live within a semi-arid tract prone to frequent droughts. Since they could not shift their cattle to places where pastures were available, large numbers of Maasai cattle died of starvation and disease in these years of drought. An enquiry in 1930 showed that the Maasai in Kenya possessed 720,000 cattle, 820,000 sheep and 171,000 donkeys. In just two years of severe drought, 1933 and 1934, over half the cattle in the Maasai Reserve died. As the area of grazing lands shrank, the adverse effect of the droughts increased in intensity. The frequent bad years led to a steady decline of the animal stock of the pastoralists
(i) Which natural Calamity affects the life of Pastoralists everywhere?
(A) Summer
(B) Rain
(C) Drought
(D) Flood
Ans. (C) Drought
(ii) The Maasais were cut off from the best grazing lands and forced to live within a _________tract prone to frequent droughts
(A) Wasteland "
(B) Arid
(C) Semi-arid
(D) Deserts
Ans. (C) Semi-arid
(iii) An enquiry of 1930 showed that the Maasai in Kenya Possessed _________sheep.
(A) 820000
(B) 280000
(C) 380000
(D) 320000
Ans. (A) 820000
(iv) An enquiry of 1930 showed that the Maasai in Kenya Possessed ___________were donkeys.
(A) 910000
(B) 171000
(C) 710000
(D) 191000
Ans. (B) 171000
How to Prepare Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 5
Follow these steps to use the Pastoralists in the Modern World Class 9 Important Questions effectively:
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Since pastoral groups follow seasonal cycles, understanding their routes helps answer cause–effect questions easily.
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Questions often come from grazing tax rules, forest restrictions, and loss of pastoral rights under British rule.
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Create mini-notes comparing Gujjars, Dhangars, Gollas, and Maasai. It helps answer short and long questions properly.
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Practice writing in point format as this strengthens clarity while explaining reasons, impacts, and reforms related to pastoral communities.
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Revise terms like Nomadism, Enclosure Movement, Reserved Forests, and Maasai frequently appear in exams.