Question

The Gaddi shepherds are found in more numbers in the state of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A. Assam
B. Bengal
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Tamil Nadu

Answer 1

Hint: The Gaddis are devotees of Hindu deity Shiva and believe that they are created by him while he was seated on his Gaddi which is the royal seat. The word Gaddi has been derived from “Gadar” which is a Sanskrit word for sheep.

Complete answer:
The Gaddi tribes believed in ‘Awtar,’ ‘Kelang’ and ‘Gugga’ Gods. Kelang who is the king of all snakes is propitiated in the form of sickle called ‘Darat’. Gugga is considered the sole protector of cattle.
The majority of the Gaddis are landowners and practice agriculture as their main source of livelihood. They are also pastorals and own large flocks of sheep and goats, as their traditional occupation. This has resulted in their having customary rights on forest lands which are owned by the government.
Some of the notable economic activities among the Gaddi tribes include wool spinning, weaving, iron making silver embroidery and jewellery making. Woolen products such as shawls, blankets and socks are also manufactured. Apple production is also done as a major cash crop in Brahmour. The Gaddi tribes are also getting benefitted from herbs, almonds, walnuts, apricots etc.
This culturally rich community resides in the Himalayan mountain ranges mainly in the state of Himachal Pradesh and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Gaddi community occupies the inaccessible and inhospitable terrain in between the Pir-Panjal and Dhauladhar mountain ranges, between Ravi and Chenab rivers.
So, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Today, because education and employment have brought them in contact with the wider world, many of the Gaddi tribes have now taken jobs such as teachers, in government as well as private organizations and various other white collar jobs.