The correct option is (a).
Explanation
During the medieval period, tribal societies were spread across various regions of the Indian subcontinent. Unlike the caste-based societies in the plains, these tribes inhabited forests, hills, and deserts, maintaining distinct territories and cultural identities.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Kolis were a prominent tribe inhabiting the Maharashtra highlands and Karnataka. They were also found in many areas of Gujarat. They were historically significant in these regions and often controlled mountain passes and strategic locations.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Bhils were spread across Western and Central India (not the north-eastern part). By the late sixteenth century, many of them had become settled agriculturists and some even zamindars. The north-eastern part of the subcontinent was dominated by tribes such as the Nagas, Ahoms, and others.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Gonds were found in a vast forested region known as Gondwana (encompassing parts of modern-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh). They practiced shifting cultivation. The desert regions of Rajasthan were primarily inhabited by other groups, while the Bhils also had a presence in the wider western region, but Gonds are distinct to Central India.
Key Takeaway:
Kolis are associated with Western India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka); Bhils with Western and Central India; and Gonds with the central forest region of Gondwana. The North-East was the domain of tribes like the Nagas and Ahoms.