Tribes, Society & Social Movements of Chhattisgarh — Practice

Question 1

Name the five PVTGs of Chhattisgarh.

Accepted Answer

The Abujhmadia, Baiga, Birhor, Kamar and Pahari Korwa. They are identified by low literacy, a declining or stagnant population, pre-agricultural technology and a subsistence economy.

Question 2

Which is the largest tribe of Chhattisgarh?

Accepted Answer

The Gond, with about 43 lakh people in Census 2011. Their sub-groups include the Muria, Maria and Dorla of Bastar.

Question 3

Who founded the Satnami movement in Chhattisgarh and what is its symbol?

Accepted Answer

Guru Ghasidas, born in 1756 at Giraudpuri, founded it among the Chamar. Its symbol is the Jaitkham, a white victory pillar, and Ghasidas Jayanti falls on 18 December.

Question 4

What is the ghotul and what is its social significance? (~100 words)

Accepted Answer

The ghotul is the youth dormitory of the Muria Gonds of Bastar, where unmarried young people lived together and were trained in songs, dance, work and community obligations. Verrier Elwin's study made it well known. It functioned as an institution of socialisation, cooperation and mate selection under the community's rules, and it reflects the collective and egalitarian character of the society. It has weakened under outside influences, and is best described as a social institution.

Question 5

Describe the Ramnami Samaj. (~100 words)

Accepted Answer

The Ramnami Samaj was founded by Parashuram Bharadwaj in the Janjgir area in the late nineteenth century as a protest by Scheduled Caste members against exclusion from temples. Followers tattoo the name of Ram on their bodies, wear a shawl inscribed with the name and a crown of peacock feathers, and hold an annual gathering. It affirms devotion to Ram without depending on temples or priests, and it gave a marginalised community dignity and a distinct identity.

Question 6

What is PM-JANMAN?

Accepted Answer

The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, launched in November 2023, targets housing, roads, health, education and connectivity for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, including the five in Chhattisgarh.

Question 7

Name two laws that give tribal communities rights over resources.

Accepted Answer

PESA (1996) gives Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas powers over land, water and minor forest produce, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises individual and community rights over forest land and produce.

Question 8

Discuss the social reform movements of Chhattisgarh. (~175 words)

Accepted Answer

Chhattisgarh saw reform movements among the plains communities, especially the Scheduled Castes. The Satnami movement, founded by Guru Ghasidas in the early nineteenth century among the Chamar, preached devotion to one formless Satnam and rejected caste hierarchy and idol worship, with Giraudpuri and the Jaitkham pillar as its centre. The Ramnami Samaj, founded by Parashuram Bharadwaj near Janjgir, was a protest against temple exclusion, and its followers tattoo Ram's name on their bodies. Kabirpanth, carried by Dharamdas, spread through Damakheda. These movements gave marginalised groups dignity and a distinct identity within Hindu society without relying on temple access, and prepared ground for later political awareness. Their legacy continues in state honours for Guru Ghasidas and the annual Jayanti.

Question 9

Evaluate the policy framework for tribal welfare in Chhattisgarh. (~175 words)

Accepted Answer

Tribal welfare rests on a constitutional and legal frame. The Fifth Schedule and the Governor's special powers, PESA of 1996 and the Forest Rights Act of 2006 give communities rights over land, forest produce and local decisions, and the state has framed PESA rules in 2022. Programmes include ashram and hostel schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, PM-JANMAN for the five PVTGs, Van Dhan centres and support prices for minor forest produce, with regional development authorities for Bastar and Surguja. Strengths are the legal recognition of rights and cooperative marketing. Weaknesses are slow recognition of forest rights, displacement by mining, uneven service delivery in remote areas and conflict in parts of Bastar. Real progress requires implementing rights through empowered Gram Sabhas, and not only delivering schemes.

Practice — Tribes, Society & Social Movements of Chhattisgarh

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