BLACKBUCK & BISHNOIS

About

The Bishnois are a Hindu religious sect residing in the Western Thar desert and some northern states of India.

It was founded by Guru Jambheshwar, who was also known as Jambaji, around the 15th century.

Guru Jambhesvara was born in 1451 AD at Pipasar village of Nagore district in Western Rajasthan.

Principles

They are guided by 29 principles given by Jambaji.

The 29 rules laid down by the founder, are what give the community its name- bish (20), noi (9).

Out of the 29 rules, eight were about protecting the environment including the non-sterilisation of bulls, the prohibition against the killing of animals, prohibition against cutting down trees. The other rulers were about social behaviour and personal hygiene.

Jambaji’s teachings are preserved in the form of 120 statements known as sabdas.

The 29 rules along with the 120 sabdas define the religious duty of the Bishnoi, or what is known as their ‘Dharma’.=

Why do Bishnois protect Blackbuck?

The 29 principles of Bishnois and the teachings of Guru Jambheshwar and their principles emphasise the protection and preservation of wildlife and vegetation.

They worship the blackbuck in the form of reincarnation of their spiritual guru, Jambheshwar.

However, The Bishnoi community's bond with Blackbucks goes beyond spiritual reverence.

It is a deep cultural and environmental relationship because, for centuries, Bishnois have lived in harmony with these animals, sharing their resources with them.

Bishnoi movement

In 1730, as many as 362 Bishnois were killed in the village of Khejarli, near Jodhpur, when they were protecting trees from being cut down.

The massacre was ordered by the Maharaja Abhai Singh of Jodhpur. 

Maharaja Abhai Singh of Jodhpur had sent his soldiers to fell khejri trees for wood to build a new palace, but the Bishnoi community, led by a woman named Amrita Devi, resisted.

Amrita Devi and others led a resistance by hugging trees and this event became a precursor to the Chipko movement of 1973.

About

The blackbuck, also known as the Indian antelope, is a medium-sized antelope native to India and Nepal. 

It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas with perennial water sources. 

Scientific Name

Antilope cervicapra

Blackbuck

Blackbuck is a herbivorous animal. 

Features

Males have corkscrew-shaped horns and black-to-dark brown coats, while females are fawn-coloured.

The female's horns are not ringed or spiralled.

They have very good eyesight and are also very fast runners, which comprise their main defence against predators.

They are one of the fastest-running animals on the planet.

The blackbucks are active during the day and their activities generally slow down with the onset of noon.

They generally move in herds.

Habitat

The blackbuck mostly lives in open grasslands, dry scrub areas, and thinly forested areas. 

`Blackbucks cannot sustain a cold climate.

Distribution

Blackbucks are found only in the Indian subcontinent.

The animals are mainly seen in three broad clusters across India-northern, southern, and eastern regions. 

Threats

Blackbucks were highly hunted in the princely states of India before the independence due to which their population has been declining continuously.

They are hunted for their skin. 

Conservation

IUCN status: ‘Least Concern’ 

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Hunting and poaching blackbucks is a non-bailable offence and can invite a jail term of up to six years.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Bishnoi community: 

1. They are a Hindu religious sect founded by Guru Jambheshwar around the 15th century.
2. Protecting the environment is one of the principles of this sect.
3. “Sabdas”  are texts which define the religious duty of the Bishnoi, or what is known as their ‘Dharma’. 

Which of the above  statements are incorrect? 

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3 only

D. None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 

The Bishnois are a Hindu religious sect residing in the Western Thar desert and some northern states of India. 

It was founded by Guru Jambheshwar, who was also known as Jambaji, around the 15th century.

Guru Jambhesvara was born in 1451 AD at Peepasar village of Nagore district in Western Rajasthan.

Statement 2 is correct: 

They are guided by 29 principles given by Jambaji.

The 29 rules laid down by the founder, are what gives the community its name- bish (20), noi (9).

Out of the 29 rules, eight were about protecting the environment including the non-sterilisation of bulls, the prohibition against the killing of animals, prohibition against cutting down trees. The other rulers were about social behaviour and personal hygiene.

Statement 3 is correct: 

Jambaji’s teachings are preserved in the form of 120 statements known as sabdas. 

The 29 rules along with the 120 sabdas define the religious duty of the Bishnoi, or what is known as their ‘Dharma’.