Decolonising Indian Anthropology

Decolonizing Indian anthropology scrutinizes colonial distortions of tribal societies, challenging stereotypes and calls for terminological dignity and unity.

The book critically examines the historical distortions surrounding India's tribal communities as portrayed by Western anthropologists, re- vealing how these misrepresentations were deeply rooted in a colonial mindset that categorized these groups as the other'. This perspective not only perpetuated stereotypes but also contributed to a skewed understanding of India's rich and diverse cultural landscape.

The authors emphasize that the term tribe', as used by Western scholars, was a colonial imposition grounded in an evolutionary framework that deemed tribal societies primitive' and less advanced'. Such a viewpoint fostered the artificial separation of forest-dwelling populations through policies that designated forests exclusively for these so- called tribals, ultimately creating significant developmental disparities between forest and plains communities. Over time, these disparities evolved into what is now recognized as an anthropological divide'.

The book further explores the ramifications of colonial strategies, such as the divide and rule' approach, which has left lasting challenges for tribal communities post-independence India. It advocates for a critical reassessment of the constitutional classifications of Scheduled Tribes, emphasizing the necessity for terminological respect and dignity.

By urging a re-evaluation of tribal narratives within the framework of Indian civilization, the book contests the Western portrayal of forest and hill communities as primitive, instead highlighting their profound civilizational, social, cultural, and historical connections with plains populations connections distinctive on a global scale.

Ultimately, the text calls for a transformative shift in the study of Indian tribal communities, promoting a decolonized perspective that recognizes their inherent dignity and significant contributions to civilization, while also advocating for a reimagining anthropological studies from Indian perspectives and integrating the stories of forest and hill com- munities into the broader narrative of the nation, thereby fostering a sense of national pride and unity.

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi serves as Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) New Delhi for the past decade. He is a distinguished academic and scholar in History and Mass Com- munication, as well as a writer, poet, and theatre artist. Raghvendra Singh is a Senior Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation and is a former officer of the Indian Administrative Service. Prof. K. Anil Kumar currently serves as the Head of the Department of Janapada Sampada at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.