Question

Which of the following is the most important activity of the Banjara community?
A. Wandering in search of pastures
B. Moving over a long distance
C. Exchange of goods or barter trade
D. They acted as messengers between people

Answer 1

Hint: The Banjaras were nomadic tribes. They travelled over long distances with their livestock. Banjaras were also employed by the Mughals to carry goods for their trade.

Complete answer:
The Banjaras are a community of nomadic people who are perhaps most popularly known for travelling in their caravans. They only settle at a particular location during the monsoon months, traveling for the rest of the year with all their belongings and animals. The elders of the community usually stay in the permanent settlements. Throughout history they have been associated with various activities. Let us see which of these was their primary activity-

A. Banjaras were pastoralists who reared animals. The most common one being their herds of camels. But this was not their primary activity. Thus, this answer is incorrect.

B. Being nomads, the Banjaras travelled over long distances. Their travels are well documented by many sources. But travelling was not their main activity. In fact, it was just an aspect of their way of living. So, this is not the correct answer.

C. The reason why they travelled over such long distances was because they were traders. In the beginning, they carried goods from one settlement to another and exchanged them for the things they needed. Later, with their routes being established, the Banjaras were a successful trader-nomad tribe. Thus, exchange of goods or barter trade was their primary activity.

D. While it is likely that since they used the same routes they might have carried messages from place to place for people. But that is just due to convenience and was definitely not their primary activity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

Note:
i) Banjaras are popularly known as desert nomads but there are tribes of Banjaras that live in Highlands, wet lowlands and even forested areas.
ii) Similarly, while Caravans are popularly depicted as a trail of camels, Banjaras also keep other animals like donkeys, oxen and horses.
iii) Banjaras travel in groups called tanda. This is for protection.