Why in the News?

In recent years, community member few activists have emerged documenting and preserving Dard-Shin heritage.

About the Dard-Shin Tribe:

Origin: Ancient Indo-Aryan group from migrations (2000–1500 BCE).
Historical Mentions: Herodotus, Pliny, Ptolemy, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.
Homeland: Dardistan – Chitral, Yasin, Gilgit, Chilas, Bunji, Gurez Valley, Ladakh, N. Afghanistan.
Political History: Chak dynasty ruled Kashmir for 25+ years in the 16th century before Mughal takeover.
Current Location: Gurez (Bandipora, J&K), smaller clusters in Drass, Tulail, Chanderkote.
Status & Language: Scheduled Tribe; speak Shina, distinct from Kashmiri.
Population: ~48,440 (2011 Census).
Livelihood: Farming, pastoralism, forest produce, handicrafts; tourism rising.

Heritage: Among the last Indo-Aryan groups in the Himalayas, preserving language and traditions.
Historic Role: Gurez Valley – Silk Route link between Kashmir, Central Asia, Tibet.
Traditions: Rich marriage customs, wool attire, juniper leaf burning for land purification.
Architecture: Mix of ancient wooden style and modern influences; tools suited for mountain climate.
Oral History: Migration legends, e.g., families from Gilgit to Ladakh.
Religion: Islam, Buddhism, remnants of animism from cultural exchanges.

[UPSC 2014] With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statements:

1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.

2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.

3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only