Glimpses into the History of Gujjars

ABSTRACT

Historically tribal economy, the nature of which was primarily informal and local, revolved around basic requirements of food and shelter. It was by and large non-monetized with having legitimacy and support from local ecology and socio-cultural traditions. However, with the passage of time, as the process of agriculture with non-tribal traditions increased, the tribal economy largely retained its informal character up to British invasion, but within its boundary there was continuity and change. Among many tribes forest was the main source of livelihood but with the passage of time their dependence on agriculture and subsequently on wage work increased. And with this in many cases forest ceased to remain the main or the only source of their livelihood. 

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