Right Answer for MCQ will be highlighted on Hover / Click on the option.
Class-10th, Chapter-2, Nationalism in India
Class-12, Chapter-12, Ecosystem
NCERT Based MCQ with Explanation:
1. What is the primary reason nomadic pastoralists move from one place to another?
(a) To access fresh pastures and water for their herds
(b) To find new trading markets
(c) To search for fertile land for cultivation
(d) To avoid conflicts with settled communities
Explanation: Nomadic pastoralists move to ensure their herds have access to fresh pastures and water, as grazing lands get exhausted. This sustains their livestock-based livelihood, adapting to seasonal changes and resource availability.
2. Where do the Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir spend their winters?
(a) High mountains of Pir Panjal
(b) Valley of Kashmir
(c) Low hills of the Siwalik range
(d) Bugyals of Garhwal
Explanation: During winter, when high mountains are snow-covered, Gujjar Bakarwals live in the low hills of the Siwalik range, where dry scrub forests provide pasture for their goat and sheep herds.
3. What is a 'kafila' in the context of pastoralist movements?
(a) A traditional tent used by nomads
(b) A group of households traveling together
(c) A type of grazing land
(d) A market for selling livestock products
Explanation: A kafila refers to several households of Gujjar Bakarwals who come together for their annual journey between summer and winter grazing grounds, ensuring safety and cooperation during migration.
4. Why do the Gaddi shepherds move to Lahul and Spiti in summer?
(a) To trade wool in markets
(b) To escape monsoon rains
(c) To cultivate crops
(d) To access lush green pastures
Explanation: Gaddi shepherds move to Lahul and Spiti in summer because snow melts, revealing lush green mountainsides with nutritious grasses, ideal for grazing their flocks of sheep and goats.
5. What is the significance of bugyals in the Himalayan region?
(a) They are trading hubs for pastoralists
(b) They are forested areas for timber
(c) They are high-altitude meadows used in summer
(d) They are winter grazing grounds
Explanation: Bugyals are vast high-altitude meadows above 12,000 feet in the Himalayas, used as summer grazing grounds by pastoralists like Gujjars, covered with grasses, herbs, and wildflowers after April.
6. What activity do Gaddi shepherds perform in Lahul and Spiti during their summer stay?
(a) Trading blankets in local markets
(b) Shearing sheep
(c) Harvesting winter crops
(d) Reaping summer harvest and sowing winter crop
Explanation: In Lahul and Spiti, Gaddi shepherds reap their summer harvest and sow their winter crop during their summer stay, utilizing the fertile period before returning to winter grazing grounds.
7. What is the primary occupation of the Gujjars of Kangra as described by G.C. Barnes in the 1850s?
(a) Pastoralism with minimal cultivation
(b) Trading forest products
(c) Cultivation of crops
(d) Weaving blankets
Explanation: G.C. Barnes noted that Gujjars in Kangra were exclusively pastoral, cultivating scarcely and sustaining themselves by selling milk, ghee, and other herd produce, living near forests for grazing.
8. Why do pastoralists like the Gujjars live on the edges of forests?
(a) To escape urban settlements
(b) To access grazing lands and sell dairy products
(c) To avoid taxes from colonial authorities
(d) To cultivate large farms
Explanation: Pastoralists live near forests to access grazing lands for their herds and sell dairy products like milk and ghee in nearby markets, balancing herding with trade.
9. What is a Gujjar mandap used for in the high mountains?
(a) Shearing sheep
(b) Trading with local farmers
(c) Making and storing ghee
(d) Storing harvested crops
Explanation: Gujjar mandaps, made of bamboo and grass, serve as workplaces in high mountains where Gujjars produce ghee from buffalo milk, which they transport for sale.
10. What environmental benefit does the cyclical movement of pastoralists provide?
(a) Prevents overuse of pastures
(b) Increases soil erosion
(c) Promotes deforestation
(d) Reduces water availability
Explanation: Cyclical movement allows pastures to recover by preventing continuous grazing, maintaining ecological balance and ensuring sustainable use of grazing lands for pastoralists’ herds.
11. Where do the Dhangar shepherds of Maharashtra stay during the monsoon?
(a) Coastal tracts of Andhra Pradesh
(b) Thar desert
(c) Konkan region
(d) Central plateau of Maharashtra
Explanation: Dhangar shepherds stay in the central plateau of Maharashtra during the monsoon, where the semi-arid region with thorny scrub becomes a vast grazing ground for their flocks.
12. What role do Dhangar flocks play in the Konkan region?
(a) They manure fields and feed on stubble
(b) They provide wool for local markets
(c) They are used for plowing fields
(d) They supply milk for urban areas
Explanation: In Konkan, Dhangar flocks manure fields after the kharif harvest and feed on stubble, aiding farmers in preparing fields for the rabi crop while receiving rice in return.
13. Why do the Dhangars leave the Konkan region with the onset of the monsoon?
(a) To trade blankets in urban markets
(b) Because sheep cannot tolerate wet conditions
(c) To avoid flooding in coastal areas
(d) To cultivate crops on the plateau
Explanation: Dhangars leave Konkan during the monsoon because their sheep cannot tolerate wet conditions, returning to the dry central plateau to protect their flocks.
14. What is the primary occupation of the Gollas in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh?
(a) Sheep rearing
(b) Blanket weaving
(c) Cattle herding
(d) Timber trading
Explanation: Gollas in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh primarily herd cattle, living near woods, cultivating small patches of land, and engaging in petty trades to sustain their livelihood.
15. What defines the seasonal movement of pastoralists in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh?
(a) Snow and cold weather
(b) Demand for dairy products
(c) Alternation of monsoon and dry season
(d) Availability of forest timber
Explanation: Unlike mountain pastoralists, the movement of pastoralists in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is driven by the monsoon and dry season, moving to coastal tracts in the dry season and back during rains.
16. Who were the Banjaras in the context of Indian pastoralism?
(a) Nomadic graziers selling plough cattle
(b) Camel herders of Rajasthan
(c) Sheep weavers of Maharashtra
(d) Forest dwellers cultivating crops
Explanation: Banjaras were nomadic graziers found in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, moving long distances to sell plough cattle and goods in exchange for grain and fodder.
17. What did Buchanan observe about the Gollas’ lifestyle in the early 19th century?
(a) They were primarily traders in urban markets
(b) They cultivated fields and sold dairy products
(c) They lived in large cities with cattle
(d) They avoided contact with forests
Explanation: Buchanan noted that Gollas lived in small villages near woods, cultivated small plots, kept cattle, and sold dairy products in towns, with large families supporting various tasks.
18. Why are Raika settlements in Rajasthan called ‘dhandi’?
(a) They are temporary trading posts
(b) They are located near water bodies
(c) They are specific to camel herders
(d) They are camel grazing grounds
Explanation: Raika camel herders in Rajasthan live in settlements called dhandi, particularly in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer, where they graze camels on dry, thorny bushes.
19. What strategy did the Raikas of Rajasthan use to sustain their livelihood?
(a) Traded forest products exclusively
(b) Combined cultivation with pastoralism
(c) Focused solely on camel herding
(d) Cultivated cash crops in deserts
Explanation: Raikas in Rajasthan combined cultivation during monsoons in their home villages with pastoralism, moving out in October to find pasture and water, returning with the next monsoon.
20. How did pastoralists ensure sustainable use of grazing lands?
(a) By cultivating crops on pastures
(b) By increasing herd sizes annually
(c) By building permanent settlements
(d) By timing movements to allow pasture recovery
Explanation: Pastoralists timed their movements to prevent overuse of pastures, allowing vegetation to recover naturally, maintaining ecological balance and ensuring sustainable grazing lands.
21. What was the primary goal of the colonial state regarding grazing lands in India?
(a) To transform them into cultivated farms
(b) To protect pastoralist rights
(c) To create wildlife reserves
(d) To establish trading hubs
22. What were the ‘Waste Land Rules’ introduced by the colonial government?
(a) Policies to restrict trade activities
(b) Laws to protect forest reserves
(c) Rules to convert uncultivated land to farms
(d) Regulations to tax pastoralists
23. How did the Forest Acts affect pastoralists’ access to grazing lands?
(a) They provided free access to all forests
(b) They encouraged pastoralists to settle
(c) They restricted entry to reserved forests
(d) They promoted trade in forest areas
24. Why did colonial officials restrict grazing in forests?
(a) To increase timber trade
(b) To prevent damage to tree saplings
(c) To protect wildlife populations
(d) To encourage pastoralist settlement
25. What was the purpose of the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871?
(a) To impose grazing taxes
(b) To regulate forest access
(c) To classify certain communities as criminal
(d) To promote nomadic trade
26. How did the grazing tax affect pastoralists in colonial India?
(a) It encouraged permanent settlements
(b) It reduced their trading activities
(c) It expanded their grazing lands
(d) It increased their financial burden
27. What system was used to collect grazing tax in the 1850s–1880s?
(a) Payment through village headmen
(b) Auctioning tax collection rights to contractors
(c) Direct collection by pastoralists
(d) Barter system with farmers
28. How did colonial policies lead to a shortage of pastures?
(a) By increasing herd sizes
(b) By protecting forest reserves
(c) By converting grazing lands to farms
(d) By encouraging overgrazing
29. What was a consequence of restricted pastoral movements under colonial rule?
(a) Expansion of nomadic trade
(b) Continuous grazing and pasture deterioration
(c) Increased pasture availability
(d) Growth in livestock numbers
30. How did some pastoralists adapt to the loss of grazing lands after 1947?
(a) By cultivating cash crops
(b) By migrating to new regions like Haryana
(c) By increasing herd sizes
(d) By joining urban industries
31. What did richer pastoralists do in response to colonial restrictions?
(a) Bought land and settled as peasants
(b) Increased their nomadic movements
(c) Reduced their trading activities
(d) Joined forest conservation efforts
32. How did poor pastoralists survive during famines under colonial rule?
(a) By trading in urban markets
(b) By increasing herd sizes
(c) By borrowing money from moneylenders
(d) By cultivating large farms
33. Why is pastoralism considered ecologically viable in dry regions?
(a) It promotes large-scale cultivation
(b) It reduces livestock dependency
(c) It suits areas where agriculture is difficult
(d) It increases forest cover
34. Which African pastoral community is primarily discussed in the chapter?
(a) Maasai
(b) Bedouins
(c) Berbers
(d) Somali
35. What percentage of pre-colonial Maasai lands was lost due to colonial policies?
(a) 50%
(b) 60%
(c) 40%
(d) 70%
36. What was the impact of creating game reserves like Maasai Mara on pastoralists?
(a) They were barred from grazing and hunting
(b) They gained new grazing lands
(c) They received financial compensation
(d) They were allowed limited access
37. What happened to Maasai grazing lands in 1885?
(a) They were sold to local farmers
(b) They were divided by an international boundary
(c) They were expanded for cultivation
(d) They were protected as reserves
38. Why did the Maasai lose their economic dominance over agricultural neighbors?
(a) Due to new trading markets
(b) Because of expanded cultivation by peasants
(c) Due to increased livestock trade
(d) Because of forest conservation policies
39. What was the size of the Serengeti National Park created from Maasai land?
(a) 10,000 km²
(b) 12,500 km²
(c) 14,760 km²
(d) 16,000 km²
40. How did colonial boundaries affect the Kaokoland herders in Namibia?
(a) They were restricted from moving to Ovamboland
(b) They gained access to new markets
(c) They were allowed free movement
(d) They were given grazing permits
41. What was the Maasai belief about cultivating land?
(a) It increased livestock numbers
(b) It supported grazing activities
(c) It was essential for survival
(d) It was a crime against nature
42. How did drought affect Maasai cattle in the 1930s?
(a) It led to new grazing lands
(b) Over half the cattle died in two years
(c) It increased their herd sizes
(d) It improved pasture quality
43. What role did Maasai warriors traditionally play in their society?
(a) They managed village trade
(b) They protected the tribe and conducted raids
(c) They cultivated crops
(d) They governed community affairs
44. How did colonial authorities change Maasai social structure?
(a) By encouraging nomadic movements
(b) By appointing chiefs to manage tribes
(c) By empowering warriors over elders
(d) By promoting agricultural practices
45. What advantage did Maasai chiefs have under colonial rule?
(a) They were exempt from taxes
(b) They accumulated wealth and bought land
(c) They gained free access to forests
(d) They led nomadic migrations
46. How did poor Maasai pastoralists survive during droughts?
(a) By cultivating large farms
(b) By working as laborers in towns
(c) By trading in white areas
(d) By increasing their herd sizes
47. What new distinction emerged in Maasai society under colonial rule?
(a) Between farmers and traders
(b) Between elders and chiefs
(c) Between nomads and settlers
(d) Between wealthy and poor pastoralists
48. How did pastoralists adapt to modern restrictions on their mobility?
(a) By abandoning pastoralism
(b) By joining urban industries
(c) By changing migration paths
(d) By increasing cultivation
49. Why is pastoral nomadism considered suitable for dry regions?
(a) It promotes urban development
(b) It reduces livestock dependency
(c) It adapts to low rainfall and poor soil
(d) It supports large-scale farming
50. What is the meaning of ‘Maasai’ in their language?
(a) Nomadic warriors
(b) Cattle herders
(c) My People
(d) Desert dwellers
51. What is the primary livelihood activity of the Kurumas and Kurubas in Karnataka?
(a) Crop cultivation
(b) Camel trading
(c) Sheep and goat rearing
(d) Cattle herding
52. Why were pastoralists like the Raikas forced to combine cultivation with herding?
(a) To access forest resources
(b) To increase trade opportunities
(c) Due to uncertain rainfall and poor harvests
(d) To comply with colonial taxes
53. What was the population of Dhangars in Maharashtra in the early 20th century?
(a) 267,000
(b) 367,000
(c) 467,000
(d) 567,000
54. What type of crops could be grown in the central plateau of Maharashtra during the monsoon?
(a) Sugarcane and maize
(b) Dry crops like bajra
(c) Rice and wheat
(d) Cash crops like cotton
55. What did Konkani peasants provide to Dhangar shepherds in exchange for manuring fields?
(a) Grazing permits
(b) Supplies of rice
(c) Wool for weaving
(d) Trading rights
56. What animals are primarily herded by the Maru Raikas in Rajasthan?
(a) Camels
(b) Cattle and buffalo
(c) Sheep and goats
(d) Donkeys and horses
57. How did pastoralists like the Banjaras sustain their livelihood?
(a) By settling in urban areas
(b) By trading timber products
(c) By selling cattle and goods for grain
(d) By cultivating large farms
58. What was the colonial view of uncultivated grazing lands?
(a) They were ideal for wildlife reserves
(b) They were unproductive waste lands
(c) They were valuable for pastoralists
(d) They were reserved for trade routes
59. What was the impact of Forest Acts on pastoralists’ movements?
(a) They encouraged permanent settlements
(b) They allowed unrestricted forest access
(c) They required permits for forest entry
(d) They promoted livestock trading
60. Why were nomadic pastoralists considered criminal by colonial authorities?
(a) They destroyed forest resources
(b) They refused to pay taxes
(c) They engaged in illegal trade
(d) Their mobility made them hard to control
61. What was the role of passes in the grazing tax system?
(a) They permitted trade in white areas
(b) They recorded cattle numbers and tax paid
(c) They allowed free forest access
(d) They exempted pastoralists from taxes
62. What did the 1920s Royal Commission on Agriculture report about grazing lands?
(a) They decreased due to cultivation expansion
(b) They expanded due to irrigation
(c) They were protected for pastoralists
(d) They were reserved for wildlife
63. How did continuous grazing affect pasture quality under colonial rule?
(a) It increased forage availability
(b) It led to pasture deterioration
(c) It improved vegetation growth
(d) It supported forest conservation
64. What adaptation did Raikas employ after losing access to Sindh post-1947?
(a) They shifted to urban trade
(b) They cultivated desert lands
(c) They grazed sheep in Haryana
(d) They increased camel herding
65. What did some pastoralists do when faced with pasture shortages?
(a) Reduced cattle numbers
(b) Increased herd sizes
(c) Moved to urban areas
(d) Cultivated cash crops
66. What is the primary source of livelihood for African pastoralists like the Maasai?
(a) Crop cultivation
(b) Urban labor
(c) Timber trading
(d) Raising livestock and selling products
67. What was the traditional Maasai view on crop farming?
(a) It was encouraged for trade
(b) It was a secondary income source
(c) It was essential for survival
(d) It was harmful to grazing lands
68. How many Maasai live in southern Kenya according to the chapter?
(a) 150,000
(b) 200,000
(c) 300,000
(d) 450,000
69. What happened to Maasai lands after the 1885 colonial boundary?
(a) They were reduced by 60%
(b) They were expanded for grazing
(c) They were protected as reserves
(d) They were sold to farmers
70. Why were Maasai barred from national parks like Serengeti?
(a) To protect grazing lands
(b) To promote tourism revenue
(c) To encourage cultivation
(d) To allow free movement
71. What was the impact of colonial restrictions on Maasai trading activities?
(a) They were subject to restrictions
(b) They were completely stopped
(c) They were expanded in white areas
(d) They were tax-exempt
72. How did colonial policies affect Maasai during droughts?
(a) They provided relief funds
(b) They encouraged crop farming
(c) They caused large-scale cattle deaths
(d) They expanded grazing lands
73. What was the traditional role of Maasai elders?
(a) Herding livestock
(b) Trading in markets
(c) Governing and settling disputes
(d) Conducting cattle raids
74. How did colonial chiefs differ from traditional Maasai elders?
(a) They focused on crop cultivation
(b) They led nomadic migrations
(c) They accumulated wealth and traded
(d) They had no authority over warriors
75. What work did poor Maasai pastoralists take up during crises?
(a) Crop farming
(b) Timber trading
(c) Charcoal burning and labor
(d) Urban commerce
76. What social change occurred in Maasai society under colonial rule?
(a) Increased authority of elders
(b) Emergence of wealthy vs. poor pastoralists
(c) Elimination of warrior roles
(d) Shift to agricultural dominance
77. How did pastoralists adapt to shrinking grazing lands in modern times?
(a) By cultivating cash crops
(b) By abandoning livestock herding
(c) By pressing for grazing rights
(d) By focusing on urban trade
78. What is the primary livestock of the Bhotiyas in the Himalayas?
(a) Camels
(b) Goats and sheep
(c) Buffalo
(d) Donkeys
79. Why did the Gaddi shepherds stop in Lahul and Spiti on their return journey?
(a) To restock supplies
(b) To trade wool
(c) To reap and sow crops
(d) To shear sheep
80. What type of vegetation covers bugyals during the monsoon?
(a) Thick grasses and wildflowers
(b) Dry scrub and thorns
(c) Timber trees
(d) Cash crops
81. What was the colonial justification for transforming grazing lands into farms?
(a) To support nomadic trade
(b) To increase land revenue
(c) To protect pastoralist rights
(d) To promote wildlife conservation
82. What animals did the Kurumas and Kurubas sell products from?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Sheep and goats
(c) Cattle and buffalo
(d) Horses and mules
83. Why did the Raikas move out of their villages in October?
(a) To trade in urban markets
(b) To find new pastures and water
(c) To cultivate winter crops
(d) To escape colonial taxes
84. What was the primary reason for the decline in Maasai cattle numbers in the 1930s?
(a) Disease from new pastures
(b) Increased trade demands
(c) Droughts and restricted mobility
(d) Overgrazing by large herds
85. What did the colonial government do to control nomadic pastoralists?
(a) Provided grazing subsidies
(b) Classified them as criminal tribes
(c) Encouraged free movement
(d) Promoted urban settlements
86. How did the Waste Land Rules affect pastoralists’ grazing grounds?
(a) They protected forest lands
(b) They expanded grazing areas
(c) They reduced available pastures
(d) They encouraged nomadic trade
87. What was the role of Maasai boys during the drought season?
(a) Trading in markets
(b) Cultivating crops
(c) Herding livestock with warriors
(d) Conducting cattle raids
88. What type of forests provided winter pasture for Gujjar Bakarwals?
(a) Mangrove forests
(b) Dry scrub forests
(c) Dense tropical forests
(d) Evergreen pine forests
89. Why were pastoralists’ movements regulated under Forest Acts?
(a) To encourage settlement
(b) To promote trade in forests
(c) To protect young trees from grazing
(d) To increase tax collection
90. What was the impact of the grazing tax on pastoralists’ finances?
(a) It provided financial relief
(b) It increased their economic burden
(c) It supported herd expansion
(d) It encouraged trade activities
91. How did the Dhangars benefit Konkani peasants?
(a) By selling wool in markets
(b) By trading dairy products
(c) By manuring fields with their flocks
(d) By cultivating crops for them
92. What was the primary reason for the Maasai’s loss of grazing lands?
(a) Urban development
(b) Nomadic trading restrictions
(c) Expansion of game reserves
(d) Increased livestock numbers
93. What animals did the Banjaras primarily trade?
(a) Sheep and goats
(b) Buffalo and horses
(c) Camels and donkeys
(d) Plough cattle
94. Why did colonial officials distrust nomadic pastoralists?
(a) They avoided paying taxes
(b) They engaged in illegal trade
(c) Their mobility made control difficult
(d) They destroyed agricultural fields
95. What was the consequence of continuous grazing in Maasai reserves?
(a) Shortage of fodder and cattle deaths
(b) Improved pasture quality
(c) Increased livestock trade
(d) Expanded grazing lands
96. What did pastoralists do to cope with colonial forest restrictions?
(a) Sought new pastures and reduced herds
(b) Abandoned herding for farming
(c) Increased trade in urban areas
(d) Joined forest conservation efforts
97. What was the traditional role of Maasai warriors in cattle raids?
(a) They negotiated trade deals
(b) They asserted power through raids
(c) They protected grazing lands
(d) They managed community disputes
98. Why were Maasai prohibited from entering white areas?
(a) To promote their trade activities
(b) To encourage crop cultivation
(c) To minimize contact with settlers
(d) To expand their grazing lands
99. What was the impact of colonial restrictions on Maasai social relationships?
(a) Strengthened elder authority
(b) Promoted warrior-led governance
(c) Disturbed elder-warrior dynamics
(d) Eliminated social distinctions
100. How did pastoralists in India and Africa adapt to modern challenges?
(a) By focusing on urban trade
(b) By cultivating cash crops
(c) By demanding resource management rights
(d) By abandoning nomadism entirely
101. What is the primary reason pastoralists move their herds seasonally?
(a) To cultivate seasonal crops
(b) To trade in different markets
(c) To avoid harsh weather conditions
(d) To access fresh grazing lands
102. Where do Gujjar cattle herders of Garhwal and Kumaon go in winter?
(a) Coastal tracts of Konkan
(b) Dry forests of the bhabar
(c) High meadows of bugyals
(d) Desert regions of Rajasthan
103. What is the term for the autumn crop harvested by Konkani peasants?
(a) Zaid
(b) Rabi
(c) Kharif
(d) Bajra
104. What type of vegetation is found in the Thar desert for Raika camels?
(a) Dense forest cover
(b) Lush green grasses
(c) Cultivated crops
(d) Dry and thorny bushes
105. How did colonial policies view nomadic pastoralists compared to settled populations?
(a) As essential for trade
(b) As key to forest conservation
(c) As more productive
(d) As criminal and uncontrollable
106. What was the impact of the 1885 boundary on Maasai grazing lands?
(a) It protected their pastures
(b) It divided Maasailand into two
(c) It expanded their territory
(d) It encouraged cultivation
107. Why did the Dhangars move to Konkan after harvesting bajra?
(a) To trade wool in markets
(b) To cultivate rabi crops
(c) To manure fields and feed on stubble
(d) To escape monsoon conditions
108. What animals did the Gaddi shepherds primarily herd?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Cattle and buffalo
(c) Sheep and goats
(d) Horses and mules
109. What was the colonial government’s main revenue source from land?
(a) Trade tariffs
(b) Grazing taxes
(c) Land revenue from cultivation
(d) Timber sales
110. How did the Maasai traditionally view cattle in their society?
(a) As a source of trade goods
(b) As a tool for cultivation
(c) As a measure of wealth
(d) As a burden during droughts
111. What was the purpose of shearing Gaddi sheep during their return journey?
(a) To sell wool in markets
(b) To reduce herd weight
(c) To trade with farmers
(d) To prepare sheep for winter grazing
112. Why were pastoralists like the Raikas dependent on farmers?
(a) For cultivating their lands
(b) For grazing on harvested fields
(c) For trading dairy products
(d) For supplying fodder crops
113. What was the colonial view of forests used for grazing?
(a) They supported agricultural growth
(b) They were ideal for timber production
(c) They were unsuitable for other uses
(d) They were protected for wildlife
114. How did the Criminal Tribes Act affect pastoralists’ mobility?
(a) It allowed free movement with permits
(b) It promoted trade in forests
(c) It encouraged urban migration
(d) It confined them to notified villages
115. What was the impact of drought on Maasai pastoralists in confined reserves?
(a) It led to new grazing opportunities
(b) It caused significant cattle deaths
(c) It increased trade activities
(d) It improved pasture quality
116. What did pastoralists do to cope with shrinking pastures in India?
(a) Moved to urban areas permanently
(b) Increased cultivation of cash crops
(c) Reduced herd sizes and sought new pastures
(d) Focused on timber trade
117. What was the traditional role of Maasai boys in their society?
(a) Conducting cattle raids
(b) Managing trade activities
(c) Governing the community
(d) Herding livestock
118. Why did colonial authorities impose grazing taxes on pastoralists?
(a) To promote livestock trade
(b) To protect grazing lands
(c) To increase government revenue
(d) To encourage settlement
119. What was the primary activity of the Kurumas in Karnataka?
(a) Cattle herding
(b) Crop cultivation
(c) Camel trading
(d) Sheep rearing and blanket weaving
120. How did the Maasai adapt to food shortages in modern times?
(a) By cultivating maize and rice
(b) By relying on external food sources
(c) By increasing livestock trade
(d) By moving to urban areas
121. What was the colonial policy on Maasai movement in white areas?
(a) They were encouraged to trade
(b) They were allowed with permits
(c) They were given free access
(d) They were prohibited from entering
122. What was the role of stubble in the Dhangar-Konkani relationship?
(a) It was traded for dairy products
(b) It served as fodder for Dhangar flocks
(c) It was used for weaving blankets
(d) It was used for cultivation
123. Why were pastoralists like the Kaokoland herders restricted in Namibia?
(a) To protect forest resources
(b) To control their movements
(c) To promote agricultural expansion
(d) To encourage urban settlement
124. What was the impact of Forest Acts on pastoralists’ livestock?
(a) Expanded trading opportunities
(b) Improved animal health
(c) Reduced access to forage
(d) Increased herd sizes
125. What did the Gaddi shepherds do before shearing their sheep?
(a) Traded wool with farmers
(b) Moved to urban markets
(c) Cultivated winter crops
(d) Bathed and cleaned the sheep
126. Why did colonial authorities encourage peasant cultivation in Maasailand?
(a) To support pastoralist grazing
(b) To protect wildlife reserves
(c) To convert pastures to farms
(d) To increase livestock trade
127. What was the primary source of income for Maasai chiefs under colonial rule?
(a) Crop cultivation
(b) Regular colonial payments
(c) Livestock trading
(d) Forest resource sales
128. How did the Maasai view land cultivation traditionally?
(a) As a source of wealth
(b) As a community duty
(c) As a trade opportunity
(d) As harmful to grazing
129. What was the impact of the 1933–34 droughts on Maasai livestock?
(a) Improved animal health
(b) Expanded grazing lands
(c) Over 50% cattle loss
(d) Increased herd sizes
130. Why did pastoralists like the Banjaras move long distances?
(a) To escape colonial taxes
(b) To sell cattle and goods
(c) To cultivate new lands
(d) To trade forest products
131. What was the colonial policy on pastoralists’ access to game reserves?
(a) They were completely barred
(b) They were allowed limited grazing
(c) They were given trading rights
(d) They were encouraged to settle
132. How did the Gaddi shepherds utilize scrub forests in winter?
(a) For collecting timber
(b) For grazing their flocks
(c) For trading wool
(d) For cultivating crops
133. What was the purpose of the grazing tax pass system?
(a) To promote nomadic trade
(b) To track and tax livestock
(c) To allow free forest access
(d) To encourage settlement
134. Why were Maasai warriors restricted from cattle raids under colonial rule?
(a) To encourage cultivation
(b) To reduce their authority
(c) To promote peaceful trade
(d) To expand grazing lands
135. What was the ecological advantage of nomadic pastoralism?
(a) It reduced water resources
(b) It prevented pasture overuse
(c) It increased soil erosion
(d) It promoted deforestation
136. What animals did the Gujjar Bakarwals primarily herd?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Cattle and buffalo
(c) Goats and sheep
(d) Horses and mules
137. Why did the Raikas stay in their villages during the monsoon?
(a) To shear their livestock
(b) To cultivate crops and graze
(c) To trade in local markets
(d) To avoid colonial taxes
138. What was the colonial view of pastoralists’ grazing in forests?
(a) It increased timber production
(b) It damaged young trees
(c) It supported forest growth
(d) It promoted wildlife conservation
139. How did the Maasai cope with food shortages in modern times?
(a) By moving to urban areas
(b) By increasing livestock trade
(c) By cultivating maize and rice
(d) By relying on external food supplies
140. What was the impact of the Criminal Tribes Act on pastoralist communities?
(a) It restricted their movements
(b) It encouraged nomadic trade
(c) It provided grazing rights
(d) It promoted urban settlement
141. Why did the Dhangars return to the central plateau during the monsoon?
(a) To cultivate kharif crops
(b) To avoid wet coastal conditions
(c) To trade wool in markets
(d) To shear their flocks
142. What was the primary source of income for the Gollas in Mysore?
(a) Crop cultivation
(b) Weaving blankets
(c) Trading forest timber
(d) Selling dairy products
143. How did colonial policies affect Maasai pastoral activities?
(a) They encouraged livestock trade
(b) They restricted mobility and trade
(c) They expanded grazing lands
(d) They promoted crop cultivation
144. What was the role of Konkani fields in the Dhangar pastoral cycle?
(a) They were trading hubs
(b) They were winter grazing grounds
(c) They provided grazing and manure exchange
(d) They were used for cultivation
145. Why were Maasai warriors’ roles disrupted under colonial rule?
(a) Due to increased trade opportunities
(b) Due to encouragement of cultivation
(c) Due to restrictions on raids and warfare
(d) Due to expanded grazing lands
146. What was the ecological impact of restricted pastoral movements?
(a) Enhanced soil fertility
(b) Overgrazing and pasture decline
(c) Increased forest cover
(d) Improved pasture quality
147. What animals did the Maru Raikas primarily herd?
(a) Sheep and goats
(b) Camels
(c) Cattle and buffalo
(d) Donkeys and horses
148. Why were pastoralists like the Raikas dependent on farmers?
(a) For cultivating their lands
(b) For trading dairy products
(c) For grazing on harvested fields
(d) For supplying fodder crops
149. How did the Maasai adapt to colonial restrictions on grazing lands?
(a) By cultivating crops
(b) By moving to urban areas
(c) By reducing herds and finding new pastures
(d) By increasing trade activities
150. What was the primary challenge for pastoralists under the Criminal Tribes Act?
(a) Loss of trading markets
(b) Confinement to notified villages
(c) Increased grazing taxes
(d) Expansion of cultivated lands
151. What was the primary reason for the decline in pastoralists’ animal stock under colonial rule?
(a) Overgrazing due to restricted mobility
(b) Improved pasture quality
(c) Increased trade opportunities
(d) Expansion of grazing lands
152. What was the traditional diet of the Maasai?
(a) Wheat and pulses
(b) Potatoes and cabbage
(c) Milk and meat
(d) Maize meal and rice
153. Why did the Gujjar Bakarwals move to the Kashmir valley in summer?
(a) To cultivate summer crops
(b) To avoid colonial taxes
(c) To trade dairy products
(d) To access lush green pastures
154. What was the colonial purpose of declaring forests as ‘Reserved’?
(a) To encourage nomadic trade
(b) To preserve commercially valuable timber
(c) To protect pastoral grazing rights
(d) To expand agricultural lands
155. How did the Dhangars interact with Konkani peasants post-kharif harvest?
(a) They cultivated fields together
(b) They traded wool for rice
(c) Their flocks manured fields for rice
(d) They sold dairy products
156. What was the primary challenge for Maasai pastoralists during droughts?
(a) Overabundance of fodder
(b) Increased crop cultivation
(c) Lack of trading markets
(d) Inability to move to new pastures
157. What animals did the Gaddi shepherds graze in the Siwalik hills?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Sheep and goats
(c) Cattle and buffalo
(d) Horses and mules
158. Why were pastoralists like the Raikas restricted from markets in white areas?
(a) To promote local trade
(b) To encourage urban migration
(c) To minimize contact with settlers
(d) To protect agricultural fields
159. What was the role of the Pir Panjal passes in Gujjar Bakarwal movements?
(a) They were trading routes
(b) They were cultivation areas
(c) They connected summer and winter grazing grounds
(d) They were colonial tax collection points
160. How did colonial policies affect pastoralists’ trades and crafts?
(a) They expanded trade opportunities
(b) They provided tax exemptions
(c) They adversely impacted them
(d) They encouraged urban markets
161. What was the primary activity of the Kurubas in Andhra Pradesh?
(a) Camel trading
(b) Cattle herding
(c) Crop cultivation
(d) Sheep rearing and blanket weaving
162. Why were Maasai barred from using the Kilimanjaro Water Project?
(a) It was reserved for urban supply
(b) It was closed for maintenance
(c) It was barred for livestock use
(d) It was used for crop irrigation
163. What was the colonial view of pastoralists’ grazing practices?
(a) They supported forest growth
(b) They damaged young trees
(c) They increased timber production
(d) They promoted wildlife conservation
164. How did pastoralists like the Banjaras sustain their livelihood?
(a) By cultivating large farms
(b) By settling in urban areas
(c) By selling cattle and goods for grain
(d) By trading forest products
165. What was the impact of the 1885 boundary on Maasai pastoralists?
(a) It encouraged crop farming
(b) It promoted livestock trade
(c) It confined them to arid zones
(d) It expanded their grazing lands
166. Why did Gaddi shepherds move north in April?
(a) To trade wool in markets
(b) To access summer pastures
(c) To cultivate winter crops
(d) To avoid colonial taxes
167. What was the purpose of the grazing tax in colonial India?
(a) To encourage settlement
(b) To increase government revenue
(c) To protect pastoralist rights
(d) To promote livestock trade
168. How did Maasai warriors traditionally prove their manliness?
(a) By cultivating crops
(b) By governing communities
(c) By trading in markets
(d) By conducting cattle raids
169. What was the colonial impact on Maasai elders’ authority?
(a) It was strengthened
(b) It was reduced by appointed chiefs
(c) It was expanded to new areas
(d) It was unchanged
170. Why did pastoralists like the Raikas combine cultivation with herding?
(a) To comply with colonial taxes
(b) To access forest resources
(c) Due to uncertain rainfall and harvests
(d) To increase trade opportunities
171. What was the role of stubble in the Dhangar-Konkani relationship?
(a) It was used for weaving blankets
(b) It served as fodder for flocks
(c) It was traded for dairy products
(d) It was used for cultivation
172. How did colonial policies affect pastoralists’ access to forests?
(a) They provided unrestricted access
(b) They encouraged forest trade
(c) They restricted entry with permits
(d) They promoted forest settlement
173. What was the primary activity of the Gollas in Mysore as per Buchanan?
(a) Crop cultivation
(b) Cattle herding and dairy sales
(c) Blanket weaving
(d) Timber trading
174. Why were Maasai barred from using Kilimanjaro water for livestock?
(a) To promote irrigation for crops
(b) To reserve it for urban use
(c) To protect it for tourism
(d) To restrict pastoralist activities
175. What was the impact of overgrazing in confined Maasai reserves?
(a) Expanded grazing lands
(b) Deterioration of pastures
(c) Improved pasture quality
(d) Increased livestock trade
176. How did richer pastoralists adapt to colonial restrictions in India?
(a) By reducing trade activities
(b) By increasing nomadic movements
(c) By buying land and settling
(d) By joining urban industries
177. What was the primary role of Maasai boys during normal seasons?
(a) Conducting cattle raids
(b) Managing trade activities
(c) Herding livestock
(d) Governing communities
178. Why were pastoralists like the Kaokoland herders distressed in 1949?
(a) Due to increased trade opportunities
(b) Due to closed territorial boundaries
(c) Due to expanded grazing lands
(d) Due to urban migration
179. What was the impact of the grazing tax on pastoralists’ livestock?
(a) Expanded grazing access
(b) Reduced financial resources for herds
(c) Improved animal health
(d) Increased herd sizes
180. How did the Gaddi shepherds prepare their sheep for winter grazing?
(a) By trading wool in markets
(b) By moving to urban areas
(c) By bathing and shearing them
(d) By cultivating fodder crops
181. What was the colonial purpose of appointing Maasai chiefs?
(a) To promote nomadic movements
(b) To manage tribal affairs
(c) To encourage crop farming
(d) To expand trade networks
182. Why did pastoralists like the Raikas move during the dry season?
(a) To cultivate winter crops
(b) To find new pastures and water
(c) To trade in urban markets
(d) To avoid colonial taxes
183. What was the impact of colonial policies on pastoralists’ social structure?
(a) Strengthened traditional roles
(b) Created wealth-based distinctions
(c) Promoted elder authority
(d) Eliminated warrior roles
184. How did the Maasai cope with modern restrictions on their mobility?
(a) By moving to urban areas
(b) By cultivating cash crops
(c) By increasing herd sizes
(d) By changing migration paths
185. What was the ecological significance of pastoralists’ nomadic lifestyle?
(a) It increased soil degradation
(b) It allowed sustainable pasture use
(c) It promoted deforestation
(d) It reduced biodiversity
186. What animals did the Sherpas primarily herd in the Himalayas?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Goats and sheep
(c) Cattle and buffalo
(d) Horses and mules
187. Why did the Dhangars leave Konkan before the monsoon?
(a) To trade wool in markets
(b) To shear their flocks
(c) To avoid wet conditions for sheep
(d) To cultivate kharif crops
188. What was the colonial justification for transforming grazing lands?
(a) To protect pastoralist rights
(b) To increase agricultural revenue
(c) To promote wildlife conservation
(d) To support nomadic trade
189. How did the Maasai adapt to restricted grazing lands post-colonial rule?
(a) By moving to urban centers
(b) By cultivating cash crops
(c) By grazing in new areas like Haryana
(d) By reducing herd sizes
190. What was the role of the Raika genealogist in their community?
(a) Conducting cattle raids
(b) Managing trade activities
(c) Recounting community history
(d) Governing disputes
191. Why were pastoralists like the Kaokoland herders distressed in 1949?
(a) Due to expanded grazing lands
(b) Due to closed territorial boundaries
(c) Due to increased trade opportunities
(d) Due to urban migration
192. What was the impact of Forest Acts on pastoralists’ livestock health?
(a) Improved due to new pastures
(b) Declined due to forage shortages
(c) Enhanced by trade opportunities
(d) Stabilized by settlement
193. How did the Gujjar Bakarwals transport milk in recent years?
(a) By foot to local markets
(b) Through trading caravans
(c) Directly in buses and trucks
(d) Via colonial permits
194. What was the colonial view of pastoralists’ trading activities?
(a) They were encouraged for revenue
(b) They were restricted in white areas
(c) They were tax-exempt
(d) They were promoted in forests
195. Why did the Maasai face food shortages in modern times?
(a) Due to increased livestock trade
(b) Due to crop cultivation
(c) Due to loss of grazing lands
(d) Due to urban migration
196. What was the primary role of Konkani peasants in the Dhangar cycle?
(a) Providing grazing permits
(b) Supplying rice for manure
(c) Trading wool with shepherds
(d) Cultivating fields for Dhangars
197. How did colonial policies affect Maasai warriors’ traditional roles?
(a) Promoted their trade activities
(b) Expanded their raiding rights
(c) Encouraged crop cultivation
(d) Restricted raids and warfare
198. What animals did the Maldhari herders primarily move with?
(a) Camels and donkeys
(b) Sheep and goats
(c) Cattle and buffalo
(d) Horses and mules
199. What was the ecological benefit of pastoralists’ seasonal movements?
(a) Increased soil erosion
(b) Reduced water availability
(c) Allowed pasture recovery
(d) Promoted deforestation
200. How did pastoralists adapt to modern restrictions on forest access?
(a) By cultivating large farms
(b) By seeking new pastures and rights
(c) By moving to urban centers
(d) By increasing livestock trade