Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
- (a) agriculturists
- (b) warriors
- (c) weavers
- (d) traders ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The Banjaras were nomadic traders who moved grain, salt and other goods on huge caravans of pack-oxen (tandas) across medieval India, supplying towns and armies — option (d).
• Jahangir noted their role; Mughal and Maratha armies depended on them for grain in campaigns.
• They were not primarily farmers (a), soldiers (b) or weavers (c).
• Hence option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) agriculturists
- Banjaras were not primarily cultivators.
- (b) warriors
- They were not a warrior class.
- (c) weavers
- They were not weavers.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.