The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Nomadic pastoralists in medieval India were mobile communities whose livelihood depended on animal husbandry. They maintained a symbiotic economic relationship with settled agricultural societies rather than living in isolation.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Nomadic pastoralists moved over long distances with their animals. Their primary source of sustenance was milk and other pastoral products derived directly from their herds.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: These communities were not self-sufficient. They engaged in regular exchange with settled agriculturists. They traded wool, ghee, and other animal products for grain, cloth, utensils, and other manufactured goods which they could not produce themselves.
Key Takeaway: The economy of nomadic pastoralists was defined by their interdependence with settled communities, relying on the barter of pastoral goods for agricultural produce.