Mobility to Sedentarization: Pastoralism from Colonial to Post-Colonial Period in Uttarakhand Himalaya (India)

The Bhotiyas and the Gujars are two well-known communities which practiced transhumance in the nineteenth century in Uttarakhand Himalaya. Restrictions first began to be imposed on their mobility under the new forestry regime, which was introduced in the late nineteenth century. The Bhotiyas, who were itinerant traders, also had to face challenges from new market forces when the hills became better integrated with the lowlands under the colonial economy. For both communities, transhumance became very difficult as the areas available to them for grazing shrank rapidly in Independent India. They were compelled to change their livelihood strategies under the impact of modernization. The Bhotiyas were quick to adopt modern education, diversify their economy, and take up new jobs, while the Gujars were slower and now find it difficult to adjust to the new situation. They have been completely marginalized.