Early Indian Societies and Tribal History - Class IX

The small box placed at the centre of the stupa contains bodily remains (such as teeth, bone or ashes) of the Buddha or his followers. This box may also contain the things they used, as well as precious stones, and coins. This small box is known as a relic casket.

 The Balochis were large and powerful tribe in the north-west. They were divided into many smaller clans under different chiefs. 

The Banjaras were a nomadic community in medieval India known primarily for their role as long-distance traders and transporters of grain and other goods.

The Criminal Tribes Act was enacted by the British colonial government in India in 1871 to monitor and restrict certain communities labeled as criminal by birth.

In large parts of the subcontinent, society was divided according to the rules of varna. These rules, as prescribed by the Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers of large kingdoms. The difference between the high and low, and between the rich and poor, increased because of this. Under the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals, this hierarchy between social classes grew further.

During the ancient and medieval times, in large parts of the subcontinent, society was divided according to the rules of varna. These rules, as prescribed by the Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers of large kingdoms. 

The Negritos were the first of the racial groups that came to India. They got settled in the hilly areas of Kerala and the Andaman Islands.

Tribal people were found in almost every region of the subcontinent. The area and influence of a tribe varied at different points of time. Some powerful tribes controlled large territories. In Punjab, the Khokhar tribe was very influential during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became more important.

Peter Mundy was an English trader who came to India during the early seventeenth century. He has described the Banjaras in his writings.
As per his writings, he met a tanda of Banjaras with 14000 Oxen. They were laden with grains such as wheat and rice.

The Banjaras were the most important trader nomads. Their caravan was called tanda. Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets. Emperor Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the Banjaras carried grain on their bullocks from different areas and sold it in towns. They transported food grain for the Mughal army during military campaigns.

Many societies in the subcontinent did not follow the social rules and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. Nor were they divided into numerous unequal classes. Such societies are often called tribes.

The societies which did not follow the societal rules prescribed by the Brahmanas were called as the Tribes. The members of each tribe were united by Kinship bonds.

Contemporary historians and travellers give very scanty information about tribes. A few exceptions apart, tribal people did not keep written records. But they preserved rich customs and oral traditions. These were passed down to each new generation. Present day historians have started using such oral traditions to write tribal histories.

Members of each tribe were united by kinship bonds. Many tribes obtained their livelihood from agriculture. Others were hunter-gatherers or herders. Most often they combined these activities to make full use of the natural resources of the area in which they lived.

The Banjaras were the most important trader nomads. Their caravan was called tanda. Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras to transport grain to the city markets. Emperor Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the Banjaras carried grain on their bullocks from different areas and sold it in towns. They transported foodgrains to the Mughal army during military campaigns.

In Punjab, the Khokhar tribe was very influential during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became more important. Their chief, Kamal Khan Gakkhar, was made a Mansabdar by Emperor Akbar.

Peter Mundy was an English trader who came to India during the early seventeenth century. He has described the Banjaras in his writings. 

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas. On the other hand, many tribes and social groups were taken into caste-based society and given the status of jatis. Specialised artisans smiths, carpenters and masons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas. Jatis, rather than varna, became the basis for organising society.

The rise of Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class. A large majority joined the lower jatis of caste society. On the other hand, many dominant tribes of Punjab, Sind and the North-West Frontier had adopted Islam quite early. They continued to reject the caste system.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers).

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture, building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas.

The rise of Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class.

The rise of Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class. A large majority joined the lower jatis of caste society. On the other hand, many dominant tribes of Punjab, Sind and the North-West Frontier had adopted Islam quite early.  They continued to reject the caste system. The unequal social order, prescribed by orthodox Hinduism, was not widely accepted in these areas.

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas.

Peter Mundy was an English trader who came to India during the early seventeenth century. He has described the Banjaras in his writings.
As per his observation, the Banjaras carried their household - wife and children with them and the Banjaras owned their own Oxen.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka describes the deliberations in a sabha  of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture, building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture,building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture, building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture, building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

A twelfth-century inscription from Uyyakondan Udaiyar, in Tiruchirapalli taluka (in present-day Tamil Nadu), describes the deliberations in a sabha of Brahmanas. They deliberated on the status of a group known as rathakaras (literally, chariot makers). They laid down their occupations, which were to include architecture, building coaches and chariots, erecting gateways for temples with images in them, preparing wooden equipment used to perform sacrifices, building mandapas, making jewels for the king.

Tribal cultures are characterized by unique and distinct traditions, which encompass their specific languages, musical styles, and artistic expressions.

The Stupas of Sanchi were constructed on the orders of Emperor Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. This stupa was originally a low structure of brick, half the diameter of the present edifice hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base. It was enclosed by a wooden railing and a stone umbrella at the top. This Great Stupa served as a nucleus to the large Buddhist establishment during the later period.

Amaravati Stupa in Guntur district is the most famous one in Andhra Pradesh. This was built during the rule of Satavahanas about 1900 years ago. The stupa was covered with panels of sculptures depicting the Buddha and his teachings. These panels were found by the British and were taken away by them to London. Some of the panels that could not be transported were kept  in Madras Museum.

Excavation undertaken in the year 1870 at Bhattiprolu stupa unearthed three mounds while the one carried out in 1892 led to the discovery of three inscribed stone relic caskets containing crystal caskets, relics of Buddha and jewels. The diameter of the stupa measures around 40 m with an additional basement of 2.4 m wide running all around. The most important discovery is the crystal relic casket of sarira dhatu of the Buddha from the central mass of the stupas.

In Viharas, monks taught Buddhist scriptures to disciples. Apart from imparting education in Viharas, monks were also treating the physical ailments of people. We find many inscriptions from these Viharas which tell us that ordinary men and women farmers,traders, soldiers, and artisans made liberal donations for building and expenses of these Viharas.

Chaitya was a rectangular prayer hall with a stupa placed in the centre. The purpose of Chaityas was prayer. The Chaitya was divided into three parts, and had an apsidal ending, i.e, a semicircular rear end. The central part of the hall (also called the nave) was separated from the two aisles by two rows of pillars, The Chaityas also had polished interior walls, semicircular roofs and horse-shoe shaped windows called the Chaitya windows.

Nalanda, a large Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, was one of the most publicly acknowledged Mahaviharas of ancient India located in ancient Magadha kingdom (modern Bihar). It remained a learning centre from 7th century BCE through c. 1200 CE and is many a time categorised as one of the early universities of India along with other institutions like Vikramashila and Taxila. Pilgrims like Hu-en-Tsang, and others spent time studying in Nalanda (Bihar) the most famous Buddhist monastery of the period.

Amaravati Stupa in Guntur district is the most famous one in Andhra Pradesh. This was built during the rule of Satavahanas about 1900 years ago. The stupa was covered with panels of sculptures depicting the Buddha and his teachings. Today, the Amaravathi stupa is just a mound of rubble. 

Viharas were the monasteries or living places of Buddhist monks where religious education was imparted. A Vihara usually had small rooms around an open courtyard and had a small shrine containing a stupa or an image of the Buddha at one end.

Pilgrims were the people who took up journeys to holy places to offer worship. Buddhist holy places of learning had attracted the pilgrims from other countries. Chinese pilgrims Fa-hi-an, Itsing and Hu-en-Tsang came to visit places associated with the life of the Buddha as well as famous monasteries.

The Nagarjunakonda stupa was part of Vijayapuri, the capital city of Ikshvaku kings. It was on the banks of the Krishna River. Vijayapuri had a large number of stupas, viharas and palaces. It also had a beautifully designed amphi theatre and ghats leading to the river. Unfortunately, today the entire city lies under water submerged in the Nagarjunasagar dam. 

Vardhamana Mahavira was born in a Ganasangha. He left his family and home at the age of 30 years, and became a Parivrajaka. He was seeking an answer to the question, How can we get rid of the cycle of birth and death in this world? After years of meditation and hard penance, Mahavira finally found an answer to his question. Mahavira kept wandering for spreading his teachings among the people. A large number of people began to follow his preaching. Thus began Jainism.

According to Gautama Buddha, sorrow is caused by excessive craving and desire. We can attain freedom from sorrow if we control our desires. In order  to gain control over our desires, we need to live a balanced and controlled life, and should not cause pain to any living being. Buddha taught that one should avoid extremes -extreme penance or extreme pleasure, but instead follow a middle path. That is why Buddhism is also called the Great Middle Path.

The teachings of Buddha came to be known as Buddhism. The teachings of Buddha and his followers have been compiled in three collections (Thripitikas) called the Sutta Pitaka, the Abhidhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka. Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is also known as Pali Canon in English. 

Parivrajakas were seekers of truth who did not live permanently in any one place.They left their homes and wandered from village to village and forest to  forest.Hence they were called Parivrajakas(wanderers) or Bhikshus (mendicants or those who begged). Among these parivrajakas, Vardhamana Mahavira,Gautama Buddha, Makhkhali Goshala and Ajita Keshkambalin became very famous.

Fire used to keep off wild animal by early people.Natural fires caused overwhelmingly by lightning are highly evident on many landscapes. Birds such as hawks, and some other predators, are alert to opportunities to catch animals including invertebrates disturbed by such fires and similar benefits are likely to underlie the first human involvements with fires. Early humans were certainly familiar with the heat of the sun. They must have observed lightning flashes. The human control of fire likely required a cognitive ability to conceptualize the idea of fire.

The early farmers needed to clear forests by cutting trees and branches. They developed a new kind of stone tool which is called neolith by archeologists. It is after this new kind of stone tool that this period of early agriculture is called Neolithic Period.

Gautama Buddha found that people everywhere were miserable and in conflict with each other. He began to think, how can we get rid of this misery? Gautama also left his family and home in search of answers to such questions. He became a Parivrajaka, and after years of penance and meditation arrived at some answers to these questions. The teachings of Buddha came to be known as Buddhism.

The Kanheri Caves comprise a large basaltic rock outcrop into which 109 caves have been cut, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE. By the 3rd century, the Kanheri Caves had become an important Buddhist institution for congregational practice, study, and meditation, and were considered a Buddhist educational center. The sculptural embellishments include representations of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Many people went to live in the forests in ashrams. In these ashrams, they meditated and pondered over several questions. They also had discussions with people who came to visit them and shared their teachings with others. People who lived in ashrams like this were called Rishis and Munis (sages).

The Chaitya at Karla is the largest of the cave temples. It is situated at Karle in Pune district of Maharashtra. It is said to have been sculptured between 100-125 A.D. The Chaitya was built like caves on hill sides. Stone workers using chisel and hammer carved living rocks and reproduced structures which carpenters and wood workers had made.They made large prayer halls, stupas and small rooms for monks all in the rock.They also carved beautiful images of people and animals and some times of the Buddha.

Today we use machines, tractors and tools made of steel etc. The earliest people also used tools; but these were made of stones, bones and wood. Initially, large stones were given sharp edges by very careful breaking with another stone. This gave the people a tool which enabled them to cut flesh, dig the earth for tubers and hunt animals.

Vaishnavism focuses on the devotion to Vishnu and his various avatars (incarnations), such as Rama and Krishna, as the supreme deity.

The earliest people made fine, small pieces from hard stone. These pieces were called Microliths. They were fixed to wooden or bone handles which then served as knives, arrows, sickles etc. These weapons were used to dig soil, chop the trees for the bark, remove the skins of animals, clean the skins, stitch clothes out of the skin, cut meat and bone, chop fruit and roots and hunt the animals easily.

Parivrajakas were seekers of truth who did not live permanently in any one place. They left their homes and wandered from village to village and forest to forest.Hence they were called Parivrajakas(wanderers) or Bhikshus (mendicants or those who begged). Among these Parivrajakas, Vardhamana Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Makhkhali Goshala and Ajita Keshkambalin became very famous.

Anthropological studies have identified the presence of Alpine, Dinaric, and Armenoid racial elements among the populations of Punjab and surrounding northwestern regions of India.

In many pastoral nomadic tribes, men are traditionally responsible for leading large herds of animals to find new pastures. This is a cultural and historical observation rather than a mathematical problem.

In many traditional tribal societies, women are the primary contributors to agricultural labor, particularly in subsistence farming and crop maintenance. While roles vary by culture, this is a standard sociological observation regarding tribal labor divisions.

Effective leadership in many contexts requires a blend of experience, bravery, and spiritual or social guidance. Since all the listed categories (experienced elders, brave warriors, and priests) can fulfill leadership roles depending on the specific tribal or social structure, 'All of above' is the most comprehensive answer.

Khokhar is a agricultural tribe of Punjab and north-western India. Kurichayyas or Malai-Brahmins are a matrilinear tribe of Kerala. The Gonds are the largest tribal group of India and originally belongs to Madhya Pradesh but spread all over the Deccan's penninsula. Koli is a fisherman tribe of Maharashtra.

Under the Gond Community, the Patla act as the representative and leader of the secular affairs. He maintains cooperation within the community people and settle quarrels among the villagers. He has the right to one day's free labour on the part of all the villagers.

Members
of  a tribe follow occupations such as hunting, gathering, farming,
herding and fishing. Usually, women do most of the agricultural work,
including preparing the ground, sowing seeds, looking after the growing
plants and harvesting grain.

Baiga is a tribe found in Madhya Pradesh and population 250,000, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand states of India. The largest number of Baigas is found in Baiga-chuk in Mandla district and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.

Nomadic tribes move to find resources like water and pasture for their livestock, which are subject to seasonal changes. Their mobile lifestyle and socio-economic background are also contributing factors.

The Chenchus are Adivasi, a designated Scheduled Tribe in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha. They are an aboriginal tribe whose traditional way of life has been based on hunting and gathering. The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family.

Santhas are the weekly market in Andhra Pradesh where trade takes place on various items such as vegetables,fruits,clothes,fish as well as on industrial products,cosmetics, cattles etc. nearly three-fourth of the traders are women.