Question:
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh are both Hindus and Muslims.
Statement II: Lahaulis and Spitians have Mongoloid features.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(C) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
(D) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct
Answer : (A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Both statements accurately describe the demographic and ethnic characteristics of communities in Himachal Pradesh.
Analysis of the Statements
- Statement I: The Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh are both Hindus and Muslims.
- This is correct 👍. The Gujjar community in Himachal Pradesh is religiously diverse. It includes both Hindu Gujjars, who are often settled agriculturalists, and Muslim Gujjars, many of whom are transhumant pastoralists known for herding buffaloes and migrating seasonally between the high-altitude pastures and the lower hills.
- Statement II: Lahaulis and Spitians have Mongoloid features.
- This is also correct 👍. The indigenous people of the high-altitude districts of Lahaul and Spiti have strong ethnic and cultural ties to Tibet. Due to this Tibetan ancestry, they exhibit distinct Mongoloid features, such as epicanthic eye folds, high cheekbones, and straight black hair.