Which of the following are the classification of tribes according to their 'permanent traits'?
(A) Language
(B) Mode of livelihood
(C) Physical characteristics
(D) Ecological habitat
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (C) and (D) only
(A) Language Correct. Language is a permanent trait: tribes are grouped into four language categories – Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austric and Tibeto-Burman – and a tribe is born into its language.
(B) Mode of livelihood Incorrect. Livelihood is an acquired trait, not a permanent one. On this basis tribes are grouped as fishermen, food gatherers and hunters, shifting cultivators, peasants, and plantation and industrial workers, and a tribe can move from one of these to another.
(C) Physical characteristics Correct. In physical-racial terms tribes are classified as Negrito, Australoid, Mongoloid, Dravidian and Aryan. These physical characteristics come by descent and do not change.
(D) Ecological habitat Correct. The ecological habitat a tribe lives in – hills, forests, rural plains or urban industrial areas – is another permanent trait, along with region, language and physical characteristics.
NCERT (2025-26): “Classifications of Tribal Societies In terms of positive characteristics, tribes have been classified according to their ‘permanent’ and ‘acquired’ traits. Permanent traits include region, language, physical characteristics and ecological habitat.…” “Acquired Traits … Classifications based on acquired traits use two main criteria – mode of livelihood, and extent of incorporation into Hindu society – or a combination of the two.” “Acquired Traits … On the basis of livelihood, tribes can be categorised into fishermen, food gatherers and hunters, shifting cultivators, peasants and plantation and industrial workers.…” |