Which of the following tribes lived in the region of present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Bengal? 1. Mundas 2. Santals were restricted to the western Ghats. 3. Chero's were a tribe found only in the Kashmir valley. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation During the medieval period in India, tribal societies existed independently of the caste-based societies prevalent in the large empires. These tribes controlled specific territories and often interacted with the Mughal administration. Their geographical distribution is a key aspect of medieval social history. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The Mundas are an important tribe that historically inhabited the Chota Nagpur region. Their population was concentrated in the areas corresponding to present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. They, along with the Santals, were significant agricultural communities in eastern India. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Santals were not restricted to the Western Ghats. Like the Mundas, the Santals lived in the eastern region of India, primarily in present-day Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Western Ghats were inhabited by other tribes such as the Kolis and Berads. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Cheros were not found in the Kashmir valley. They established a powerful chiefdom in the region of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand. In 1591, Raja Man Singh, a general of Emperor Akbar, attacked and defeated the Cheros. The tribes prominent in the northwestern region (including Punjab and towards Kashmir) were the Khokhars and Gakkhars. Key Takeaway Geographical Distribution of Medieval Tribes: - East: Mundas, Santals, Cheros (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal), Ahoms (Assam). - Central: Gonds (Gondwana). - North-West: Khokhars, Gakkhars, Balochis. - West: Kolis, Berads (Gujarat, Maharashtra/Western Ghats).

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 5: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

mcqeasy

Which of the following tribes lived in the region of present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Bengal?

Mundas
Santals were restricted to the western Ghats.
Chero's were a tribe found only in the Kashmir valley.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

During the medieval period in India, tribal societies existed independently of the caste-based societies prevalent in the large empires. These tribes controlled specific territories and often interacted with the Mughal administration. Their geographical distribution is a key aspect of medieval social history.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Mundas are an important tribe that historically inhabited the Chota Nagpur region. Their population was concentrated in the areas corresponding to present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. They, along with the Santals, were significant agricultural communities in eastern India.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Santals were not restricted to the Western Ghats. Like the Mundas, the Santals lived in the eastern region of India, primarily in present-day Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Western Ghats were inhabited by other tribes such as the Kolis and Berads.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Cheros were not found in the Kashmir valley. They established a powerful chiefdom in the region of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand. In 1591, Raja Man Singh, a general of Emperor Akbar, attacked and defeated the Cheros. The tribes prominent in the northwestern region (including Punjab and towards Kashmir) were the Khokhars and Gakkhars.

Key Takeaway

Geographical Distribution of Medieval Tribes:

East: Mundas, Santals, Cheros (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal), Ahoms (Assam).
Central: Gonds (Gondwana).
North-West: Khokhars, Gakkhars, Balochis.
West: Kolis, Berads (Gujarat, Maharashtra/Western Ghats).

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

With reference to the administrative system of the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, consider the following statements: 1. The kingdom was divided into administrative units called garhs, each controlled by a particular Gond clan. 2. Each garh was further subdivided into units of 100 villages called shataks. 3. The chaurasi was subdivided into barhots, which were made up of 12 villages each. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Ahom state in medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. The Ahom state relied solely on voluntary service and did not use forced labour. 2. A census of the population was taken, and each village had to send a number of paiks by rotation. 3. The system involved men serving in the army and public works by rotation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the sources of tribal history in medieval India: 1. Tribal people in the medieval period kept extensive written records of their administration. 2. Contemporary historians and travellers gave very scanty information about tribes. 3. Tribal people preserved rich customs and oral traditions passed down to new generations. 4. Present-day historians use oral traditions to write tribal histories. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

In the context of medieval Indian history, the term 'Tanda' refers to:

easy

Who among the following Mughal generals defeated the Chero tribe in present-day Bihar and Jharkhand in 1591?

medium

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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Mundas are an important tribe that historically inhabited the Chota Nagpur region. Their population was concentrated in the areas corresponding to present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. They, along with the Santals, were significant agricultural communities in eastern India.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Santals were not restricted to the Western Ghats. Like the Mundas, the Santals lived in the eastern region of India, primarily in present-day Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Western Ghats were inhabited by other tribes such as the Kolis and Berads.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Cheros were not found in the Kashmir valley. They established a powerful chiefdom in the region of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand. In 1591, Raja Man Singh, a general of Emperor Akbar, attacked and defeated the Cheros. The tribes prominent in the northwestern region (including Punjab and towards Kashmir) were the Khokhars and Gakkhars.

Key Takeaway

Geographical Distribution of Medieval Tribes:

East: Mundas, Santals, Cheros (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal), Ahoms (Assam).
Central: Gonds (Gondwana).
North-West: Khokhars, Gakkhars, Balochis.
West: Kolis, Berads (Gujarat, Maharashtra/Western Ghats).