Society in Tribal India

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Society in Tibal India is a micro-level study of the tribal society of Chotanagapur (Bihar) between 1858 and 1935. According to the author, this tribal society was not cut off from the mainstream of Indian social and religious life as many other tribal societies were, and still are, in this subcontinent, but a society that had been influenced by Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Dr. Sinha describes at great length the impact of the caste system of the Hindus on the tribes as well as the consequences of Western education introduced by the erstwhile alien rulers and missionaries. He also says how Islam played its part in changing the tribal society of Chotanagapur.

From the mass of details which Dr. Sinha supplies about the housing, food, dress, ornamants, toiletry and pastime we know how the tribes- people of Chotanagapur having come into contact with the Hindus, Muslims, and Christians have changed not only their outlook on life but also their habits. These apart Dr. Sinha pays special attention in his book to education during the period under study as well as the origin and development of the system of bonded labour.

Society in Tribal India also says a great deal about the non-tribal societies Hindu and Muslim-during the period under study, their social customs and pertaining to birth, marriage, dowry, divorce, widowhood, sati, purdah, and prostitution.

Consequently, to the steadily growing literature of social history of India Dr. Sinha's study of Chotanagapur during a period stretching over eight decades is a significant contribution.

Bipin Bihari Sinha was born on the 25th April, 1942. He received his education at Ranchi from where he got his M.A. degree in History in 1961. Ranchi University awarded him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History in the year 1973. He taught History at G.L.A. College Daltonganj from 1961 to October 1971. He joined Patna University on 4th November, 1971. Author of a large number of papers, research articles published in the various standard journals of History, his main publications include: Mughal Bharat, Delhi Sultanate, Madhyaklin Bharat, and Adhunik Great Britain (in two volumes).

The plateau of Chotanagpur comprising the five districts of Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamau, Singhbhum, Dhanbad and the tributary estates of Kharsawan and Saraikela, surrounded by hills, rivers, streams and forests, occupies a unique position in the map of India. The region becomes all the more important from the social point of view. Here we have the glimpses of the confluence of tribal and non-tribal cultures. The channels of these two cultures, though widely separated from each other, were bound to come across one another at certain points, thereby influencing each other in certain degrees. From this angle the region under study becomes a paradise for the anthropological investigation.

The later half of the nineteenth century was a significant period in the social life of the region under review. It was during this period that we notice the vivid impact of Hinduism and Christianity on tribal culture. The period also witnessed the development in the field of Western education of the region.

An attempt has been made in the following pages to present an account of some aspects of social life in Chotanagpur from 1858 to 1935 A.D. The year 1858 A.D. marks the end of the so-called "Sepoy Mutiny". It is after the year 1858 A.D. that we find a real spirit of awakening in the social life of Chotanagpur. The period of study closes with 1935-the year of the partition of Bihar and Orissa into two separate provinces.

The scope of social history is very extensive and fluctuating. But considering the vast field, which has to be covered, an endeavour has been made to study mainly the characteristic features of the social life of Chotanagpur during the period. under review.

This work is mainly based on the records and reports, both governmental and private. Standard works of reputed writers and articles of different scholars contributed to various standard magazines and journals have also been thoroughly utilized. The importance of records and reports in the study of the social life of Chotanagpur can hardly be exaggerated.

**Contents and Sample Pages**