There are many similarities in the way in which the modem world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and East Africa. Write about any two examples of changes which were similar for Indian pastoralists and the Maasai herders.

There are many similarities in the way in which the modem world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and East Africa. Write about any two examples of changes which were similar for Indian pastoralists and the Maasai herders.

Ans.

The changes which were similar for Indian and Maasai herders were :

(i) Both Indian and Maasai herders were deprived of their grazing lands.

(ii) When the forests were declared reserved both suffered as their entry to the forest produce was restricted.

(iii) The reduction in area of grazing lands and frequent droughts led to a steady decline of the animal stock of the pastoralists.

(iv) Life of pastoralists everywhere was controlled by rainfall and droughts. Pastoralists lead a nomadic life in search of greener pastures. So these droughts disturbed the lives of pastoralists everywhere.

(v) Pastoralists not only looked after animal herds but traded in various products.

(vi) The movement of pastorals was restricted to a limited area and they lost their fertile grazing grounds to the colonial rule. Excessive grazing in a limited region led to deterioration of the land and shortage of fodder for animals.

(vii) Pastures were turned into cultivated fields. British colonial government in east Africa and India encouraged local peasant communities to expand cultivation to supplement the European demands.

(viii) New laws, geographical physical divisions and settlement patterns forced pastoral communities to alter their lives.

(ix) On confrontation with closure of pastures in a particular area, they changed the direction of their movement, reduced the size of the herd, combined pastoral activity with other forms of income and adapted to the changes in the modern world.