how were taxes collected by the british from pastoralists
Answers
Colonial Rule and Pastoral Life
For the colonists, uncultivated lands were waste lands as they neither generated revenue nor produce. Under Waste Land Rules, these waste lands were given to some individuals who were offered incentives to settle and cultivate there. Most of these redistributed lands used to be used by pastoralists as grazing grounds which led to decline in pasture.
By mid nineteenth century, Forest Acts were introduced in many different provinces. Forests producing commercial value timber like sal or deodar were declared "reserved" and as a result no pastoralist was allowed access. Others were "protected" and despite some customary grazing rights were granted, their movement was severely restricted. They rquired permits to enter an area and even couldn't stay in a place as long as they wanted.
The British was mistrustful of the pastoralists. They wanted to rule people with fixed residences, with fixed rights and land. Such population was easy to identify and govern.
1871- Colonial Government passes the Criminal Tribes Act. Select communities were now expected to live in notified village settlements and not allowed to move out without permit.
Tax was imposed on salt, canal water, trade goods and even animals. The tax was to be paid for each animal. In 1850s and 60s taxes were collected through contractors. By 1880s they started collecting it directly. A pass with the number of animals to be grazed, was required for entry into grazing lands.
IMPACT:
These changes led to shortage of pastures and also pastoralists could no longer freely graze their animals in forests etc.
Since their grazing area got restricted, it led to intensive grazing which eventually led to decrease in quality of pasture. Due to this most of the animals e due to being underfed during famines and scarcities.
REACTION
Pastoralists decreased the number of animals
Many discovered new grazing lands as their access to older grazing lands were cut
Richer pastoralists became settled peasants cultivating land, others took on more extensive trading
Poor pastoralists borrowed money from lenders. At times they lost their cattle and sheep and became labourers working in fields or in small towns.