The Pastoral and Cattle Herder Types in India

I. The Todas Nilgiris their buffaloes

About 87 per cent economically active non-convert Todas are engaged
in the chief occupation of tending and rearing of large herds of semidomesticated buffaloes.
II. Other Pastoralists: the Gujjars, the Bakarwals, Gaddis and Jadhs
inhabiting Chamba in Himachal Pradesh in north-western Himalaya.
There are also a few sheppard groups in middle and western India.
III. The Gollas are traditional shepherds in South India. The
Kurubas of Mysore are excellent sheep rearers and now weave
durable woolen blankets. A few of them are also engaged in sheep
rearing.
IV. The Lambada (i.e. salt sellers) otherwise known as Sugali (i.e.
good cowherder) or the Banjara of western highlands of Andhra
Pradesh and Mysore is a cattle breeder. In the Madras census
reports they are described as a class of trader herdsmen, cattle
breeders and cattle-lifters .
V. The Gujjars of Himachal pradesh are more inclined to rearing cattle
than following the plough - sell milk products, to move from pasture
to pasture and so on. The Gujjars inhabiting the higher regions of
Himalaya in Kashmir are Muslims.
VI. The gay and cheerful Gaddis inhabit the snowy range of Dhaula
Dhar and Pir Panjal in the Upper Beas Valley. Unlike the Gujjars the
Gaddis are Hindus. They have their
permanent habitation in
villages near the foot hills. Generally the young men go up with
their flocks of sheep and goats to high pastures in summer. They sell
raw wool and woolen goods.
VI. The Jadhs of Bhagirathi valley roam with their flocks. In autumn
they come down from their mountain village (4,000 metres high) to a
lower village (1,000 metres). They have therefore two houses one at
the upper level and the other lower down. They make blankets and
other woolen goods.
VII. The Chaupans of Ladakh, Leh and Kashmir Valley tend the
flocks for a remuneration. They do not own flocks.
They are
engaged by the well-to-do Gujjars and Bakarwals. The Bakarwals as
their name indicates raise goats and sheep.

VIII. In Kashmir the herdsmen number one-fourth of the State's

population.
Nomadic depending on the season. Owing to the
difficulties involved in transporting fresh milk
as
well a nonavailability of storage
facilities
in
the mountain areas, they
themselves consume most of the milk and its products. however,
whenever possible, they sell some milk and its products. They also sell
wool and animals to butchers.
IX. In western India, the Bharwads or Maldharis of Gujarat are
engaged in cattle rearing. It is said that Bharwads are of the same
caste as the Mehers to whom Lord Krishna's foster-father. Nand
Meher belonged. Their original place is said to be Gokul Brindavan
from where they moved to Mewad and from there spread over
different parts of Gujarat.
X. A Bharwad can be recognised by his red pagari or turban with
irregular wrappings. Possession of cattle is an index of the social
status of a family and is nucleus of their community life.
XI. Gujarat is the abode of Raysi-potras who are Maldharis or cattle
breeders by occupation and Muslims by religion. They are said to be
the sons of Raysi, a well known fakir. Before partition in 1947
now they are confined to Gujarat. Dairying is not possible because
of the adverse circumstances and a belief that selling of milk is
selling of a son. The women milk the cattle only once a day.
However, they are, of late, inclined to sell milk