Description
The tribals who lived in isolation in hills and forests from the mainline civilization of the plains did not have any encounter with the ideology of caste in non-tribal groups. Historically, the first interaction of the tribals with the Hindu castes and Christians took place when the latter came into the contact of tribal hinterland. This brought the tribals face to face with an alien ideology of Hinduism and Christianity. The present enquiry is concerned with the social changes observed among the tribals resulting from forces of ideology, Christianity and Bhagatism.
The author argues on the strength of data generated from the tribals of South Rajasthan that those who have embraced Bhagatism?a native reform cult drawing heavily from Hinduism and Christianity tend to become more progressive and forward looking. It is this group which has largely benefited from development programmes. The native Bhils, on the other hand, who continue to practise primordialism, are deprived of the benefits of tribal development programmes.
The author has analyzed the field data with all scientific rigour. The Bhils who constitute the dominant tribal group have been intensively studied by the author.
