Question

Who were called paharias?

Hint:

If the height is smaller than the base, the angle of elevation is always less than \(45^\circ\). If they are equal, the angle is exactly \(45^\circ\).

Answer 1

The term Paharias refers to the tribal communities living in the hilly and mountainous regions of the Chotanagpur Plateau and surrounding areas, including parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. They are called "Paharias" because of their habitat in the hills (Pahad). The key characteristics of the Paharias include:

1. Geography:
Paharias traditionally reside in the hilly and forested regions of the Chotanagpur Plateau, which provides them with an environment suited to their lifestyle of agriculture, hunting, and gathering.

2. Social Structure:
The Paharias have a simple social organization, and their communities are often isolated from other groups. They traditionally have their own customs and systems of governance, led by local elders.

3. Economy:
They are primarily engaged in subsistence farming and depend on the cultivation of crops such as rice, maize, and millet. They also engage in hunting, gathering forest products, and livestock farming.

4. Interaction with Other Communities:
Historically, the Paharias were semi-nomadic, but over time they have adopted more settled lifestyles. They have been involved in various historical movements, particularly the resistance against British colonial rule.