Question

Imagine if you were developing an educational programme on forest life during the Mughal era. What key aspects of the life of forest-dwellers during that time would you explain? Substantiate.

Hint:

Forest-dwellers during the Mughal era were both contributors to the empire’s economy and victims of exploitation due to state control over natural resources.

Answer 1

If I were developing an educational program on forest life during the Mughal era, I would focus on the following key aspects:
1. Livelihood of Forest-Dwellers:
Forest-dwellers in the Mughal era depended on the forest for their livelihood, engaging in hunting, gathering forest products, and small-scale agriculture. They collected wood, fruits, honey, and other forest resources for sustenance and trade. Their activities also included crafting products from forest materials like mats, ropes, and baskets.
2. State Control and Exploitation:
Under Mughal rule, forests became a source of revenue for the state. The Mughal emperors utilized forest resources for construction, royal hunts, and military needs, often placing a burden on the local communities. Forest-dwellers were taxed or made to serve the state, which affected their traditional way of life.
3. Social Structure and Resistance:
The forest-dwelling communities, often composed of tribals, lived in relative isolation. Despite their marginalization, they resisted exploitation and encroachment on their lands. This resistance sometimes took the form of revolts or flight to more remote areas, leading to conflicts with the Mughal state.
4. Role in Mughal Economy:
Forest-dwellers contributed to the Mughal economy by providing timber, medicinal plants, and other forest products. Despite their marginalized status, these resources were vital for the empire's infrastructure, military, and trade
. 5. Environmental Impact:
The Mughal exploitation of forests for timber and royal hunting led to deforestation and environmental degradation, which impacted the livelihoods of the forest-dwellers and disrupted their traditional practices.