Wa0002.

Tribes are often called indigenous people, Adivasis or Vanavasis in the Indian context.
With
diverse languages, customs, and traditions, these communities have maintained a deep
connection with nature and have often been marginalised in the socio-political landscape.
NATURE AND CULTURE OF TRIBES

The journey of tribes through Indian politics reflects a complex interplay of historical
injustices, modern challenges of industrialisation, along with urbanisation and ongoing efforts
for recognition and empowerment. The tribes of India have a close connection with nature
and they exhibit a very distinct culture and attributes.
Connection with Nature:
Tribes have close connection with nature. For these tribes, nature is not merely a resource to
be exploited but a living entity intricately woven into their cultural and spiritual fabric. They
reflect a deep understanding of sustainable living practices.
Diverse Culture:
Culturally, India’s tribal communities exhibit a rich tapestry of diversity, with each
community from different states boasting its own distinct languages, rituals, and social
structures.
Community Land Ownership:
The community ownership of land is a cornerstone of their social organisation, fostering a
sense of collective responsibility towards their natural surroundings.
Gender Equity in Tribes:
Women traditionally enjoy equal status in tribe. In some tribes, not just polygamy but even
polyandry was a common practice. Women have a strong say in day-to-day affairs in a tribal
household. In matrilineal tribes such as the Khasi and Garo in Meghalaya, women enjoy a
higher status compared to many other societies.
Indigenous Institutions:
Within tribal societies, governance often operates through a system of informal institutions
and traditional leadership structures. Decision-making processes are often decentralised, with
authority vested in community elders, chiefs, or councils who are respected for their wisdom,
experience, and moral authority.
However, despite the resilience of their cultural identities, tribal communities have often
found themselves under threat from external influences and policies that seek to assimilate or
marginalise them. Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and infrastructural development have
encroached upon their ancestral lands, disrupting their traditional way of life and eroding
their cultural practices.
EVOLVING STATUS OF TRIBES IN INDIA: PRE AND POST
INDEPENDENCE ANALYSIS
❖ BRITISH INDIA: TRIBAL STATUS
Colonial rule in India had profound and often devastating effects on tribal communities. The
British administration implemented policies and laws that disrupted traditional tribal systems,
exploited their resources, and marginalised the communities. The administrative policies
introduced and imposed by the Britishers were highly exploitative and undermined the
traditional tribal governance.
The introduction of land revenue systems and private property concepts disrupted the
communal land ownership patterns prevalent among tribes.
• Forest Protection Act of 1865 and 1878 marked the beginning of systematic state
control over forests, which were crucial to the livelihood of many tribal communities.
The acts restricted tribal access to forests for hunting, gathering, and shifting
cultivation, which were integral to their way of life.
• The expansion of the railways and other infrastructure projects led to the invasion
of tribal lands. Large-scale deforestation and displacement occurred as the British
built railways, roads, and other infrastructure. Tribes were often forcibly evicted from
their ancestral lands, leading to loss of livelihood and cultural disintegration.
• The British exploited tribal labour for plantations, mines, and construction projects.
Tribes were often coerced into labour under harsh conditions, receiving meagre wages
and facing severe exploitation.
• The introduction of cash crops and commercial forestry further disrupted their
subsistence economy.
• The British labelled some tribes as ‘criminal tribes’ under the Criminal Tribes
Act of 1871. This stigmatised entire communities, subjecting them to surveillance,
restrictions on movement, and compulsory registration, which reinforced their
marginalisation and social exclusion.
In response to these exploitative administrative laws and policies, the tribes revolted
vigorously. Tribal revolts like Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856), Munda Rebellion (1899-1900),
Bhil Revolts are some of the major revolts in tribal history.
❖ INDEPENDENT INDIA: TRIBAL STATUS
After the exploitative experiences of British rule, the dawn of independence brought new
hope for tribal communities with the framing of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution
of India provided and continues to provide several measures to protect the rights and
interests of tribal communities.
➢ Key Constitutional Provisions and Measures: Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule
Recognising the historical injustices inflicted upon tribes, the Constitution provided
special provisions under Articles 244 and 275 to safeguard their interests. Moreover, the
Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule delineated areas with significant tribal populations,
ensuring the protection of their land, culture, and self-governance.
1. Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas (Fifth and Sixth Schedules)
❖ Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)

➢ Provides for the establishment of a Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) in each state with
Scheduled Areas to advise on matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of
Scheduled Tribes.
➢ Governors of states with Scheduled Areas have special responsibilities to ensure the
implementation of laws and policies for tribal welfare. They have the authority to
make regulations for the peace and good governance of these areas, including
regulating land transfers and business activities.
❖ Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2) and Article 275(1)):
➢ Applies to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and

Mizoram.
➢ Provides for the establishment of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and
Regional Councils with legislative, judicial, and administrative powers. These
councils have the authority to make laws on a range of subjects, including land
management, forest use, water resources, agriculture, and village administration.
➢ Ensures greater autonomy for tribal areas, allowing for self-governance and protection
of tribal customs and traditions.
2. Reservation in Education and Employment
➢ Article 15(4):
Empowers the state to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially
and educationally backward classes, including Scheduled Tribes.
➢ Article 16(4): Provides for reservation in public employment for any backward class
of citizens, including Scheduled Tribes, which is not adequately represented in the
services under the state.
➢ Article 46: Directs the state to promote the educational and economic interests of
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to protect them from social injustice and
all forms of exploitation.
3. Political Representation
➢ Article 330 and Article 332:

Reserves seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and State
Legislative Assemblies to ensure political representation.
4. Special Commissions and Bodies

➢ Article 338A: Establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to
investigate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of safeguards provided for STs
under the Constitution and other laws. The NCST also advises on policy matters
affecting Scheduled Tribes.
5. Protection of Tribal Lands and Resources
• Article 19(5): Allows the state to impose reasonable restrictions on the right to freely move
throughout India or reside and settle in any part of the country in the interest of the general
public or for the protection of the interests of Scheduled Tribes.
6. Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act)
• Extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution, which deals with Panchayats, to
Scheduled Areas with certain modifications. Empowers Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) in
Scheduled Areas to manage resources, including minor forest produce, and to approve plans
and projects for social and economic development.
Thus, these constitutional measures reflect India’s commitment to protecting the rights of
tribal communities, promoting their socio-economic development, and preserving their
cultural heritage.
Effective implementation and enforcement of these provisions are crucial for addressing the
challenges faced by tribal communities and ensuring their inclusive growth and
empowerment.
Post-independence, successive governments-initiated welfare programs and affirmative
action policies to uplift tribal communities. Tribal sub-plans, reservations in educational
institutions and government jobs, and decentralised governance through Panchayati Raj
institutions aimed at empowering tribes politically and economically.
Also, Draupadi Murmu’s election as the first tribal woman President of India in 2022 marks a
significant milestone in the political and social landscape of the country. Her presidency is
not only a personal achievement but also a powerful symbol of the increasing recognition and
representation of tribal communities in Indian politics.

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Tribes are often called indigenous people, Adivasis or Vanavasis in the Indian context.

NATURE AND CULTURE OF TRIBES

1. Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas (Fifth and Sixth Schedules)

❖ Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)

❖ Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2) and Article 275(1)):

➢ Applies to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and

2. Reservation in Education and Employment

➢ Article 330 and Article 332:

4. Special Commissions and Bodies

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