Explain the annual cycle of seasonal movement of the Dhangars.

In Maharashtra, one of the most important pastoral communities was Dhangars. Their population was estimated to be 467,000 in the early 20th century. They had different occupations like some were shepherds, blanket weavers, and were buffalo herders.

• During the monsoon, the Dhangar shepherds stayed in the central plateau of Maharashtra. This place was a semi-arid region and witnessed low rainfall and poor soil. Only dry crops like bajra could be sown here. In the monsoon season, this place becomes the grazing ground for the Dhangar flocks.

• In the month of October, they harvested bajra and starts their journey to the West.

• They reach Konkan after March. Konkan is a region with the flourishing agricultural tract, high rainfall and rich soil. They were welcomed by the Konkani peasants and helped by the people living there. Dhangars cut the Kharif crops and make land ready for Rabi harvest by making it fertilised.

• When the monsoon begins, Dhangars leave the Konkan and the coastal areas with their flocks and returns to their settlement on the dry plateau as the sheep could not tolerate wet monsoon conditions.

This was the annual cycle of seasonal movement of the Dhangars.

NOTE - Kharif – The autumn crop, usually harvested between September and October.

Rabi – The spring crop, usually harvested after March.