What is one of the challenges in understanding the historical context of certain groups, such as pastoralists and hunter-gatherers in ancient India?

Their nomadic lifestyle and lack of permanent settlements.

Historians hold differing viewpoints on the impact of land grants. Some argue that they were part of a strategy adopted by ruling lineages to expand agriculture into new territories. On the other hand, some believe that land grants indicate a decline in political power, as kings sought to gain allies by granting land to others when losing control over their samantas (feudal lords). It is suggested that, as a façade of power, kings attempted to present themselves as supermen, particularly as their control was waning.

While land grants shed light on the relationship between cultivators and the state, certain groups, such as pastoralists, fisherfolk, hunter-gatherers, mobile or semi-sedentary artisans, and shifting cultivators, were often beyond the reach of officials or samantas. These groups did not maintain detailed records of their lives and transactions, which makes understanding their historical context more challenging.