In the Mughal periods, the history of socioeconomic profile of the hill people is conversant in some historical books or articles. Though the exact economic history is hardly found before that but it can be guessed that the situation would not differ.
The Jum people then used to exchange their harvests when in need of something with their neighbours instead of depending on vending as monetary idea was not so popular and efficient for them at that time. In fact the payment of taxes to Raja was also mostly in the offering of crops.
They used to go to market which would be very far as well as difficult to cross for the communication system was very narrow for them to pass. Even at present, in some areas the road system is not very good and people have to start for their bazar early in the morning or sometimes before one or two days before the bazar day. At that time, the circumstance was way more stiff. They would only go to bazar in order to buy the things which were not available in hills like- salt, oil and some other spices. It is also observed that, the hill people used cotton as revenue to the Mughals.
At that time, people were less fond of monetary system which has changed gradually with time. The jummas were subservient mainly on their cultivation of crops and jums. Still a huge part of indigenous community belong to the agriculture professions. Farmers, fishermen, Hakim, businessmen etc are some of the examples. Now indigenous people are turning into different kinds of occupations as the door for it has opened in various sides because of globalization and modernization.
Many of them are connected with teaching, serving as doctors, banking professionals, doing businesses and so on.
Some other special mentionable assertions mostly based on women professionals are sellers may it be selling of traditional clothings or handicrafts or vendors who are seen selling vegetables sitting in crowded places on bazar days, tailors, weavers of traditional attires etc. It is seen how the women also contribute and participate equally in terms of economic social schemes which is appreciable.
Moreover, if we look into the digital era of this time, the online based business is also growing among the youth generations particularly. The Covid-19 situation has widen the space for it than the usual as the hill people suffered the same crisis as the world was facing. The tourism related business is another side of economical saviour for the entrepreneurs. It is noticed how the people are coping up with the ongoing situations changing with time and making themselves capable to compete with world.
Written by Priase Chakma
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