Context:
Tensions between Gurkhas and the Yobins have been rising.
Gurkhas:
- Gurkha – Soldiers from Nepal serving in the Indian Army and in the British Army.
- Considered one of the old communities in Assam
- History –
- Gurkhas were permanently settled in the Scheduled Areas in the last part of the 18th century as grazers and cultivators.
- East India Company 1st recruited Gurkhas after suffering heavy casualties during the Anglo-Nepalese War (Gurkha War)
- The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816
- They fought for Assam against the Burmese invaders in 1826 resulting in the Treaty of Yandaboo.
- It was a peace treaty that resulted in the end of the First Anglo Burmese War
- In 1947, when India became independent, it was decided to split Gurkha regiments between the British and Indian armies.
Yobins:
- Yobin – Lisu people in India are called Yobin.
- Location – Primarily in China or Myanmar, but a few reside in Thailand or India.
- Distribution in India – Primarily in Arunachal Pradesh
- Origin – From the Yunnan region in North-Western Tibet in the 18th century
- Society –
- Traditional slash and burn farmer communities.
- Almost all Yobin claim to be Christians.
- Status in India –
- Initially considered as refugees from Myanmar and China.
- By 1994, however, India granted them citizenship
- Included in the Scheduled Tribes list in 1950
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) Bhutia and Lepcha
(b) Gond and Korku
(c) Irula and Toda
(d) Sahariya and Agariya
Answer: (b)
