Article Abstract index4

The Indian subcontinent is home to numerous tribal communities, called ‘Adivasi’, who lead a life different from modern world society. Despite the era of globalization, the extent and intensity of deprivation of these tribal groups has increased. According to the 2011 census, India has the world’s largest tribal population, with over 10.40 crore individuals constituting 8.6 per cent of the total population. In particular, West Bengal recognised 40 scheduled tribes (STs) in 2011, whose primary concentration was observed in the southern, western, and northern regions of the state. The state’s tribal population, as per Census Report 2011, was 5,296,953 (5.8 per cent of the total population), the vast majority of whom (91.6 per cent) live in rural areas. The state recorded a 20.6 per cent increase in the tribal population between 1991 and 2011. The Santal, or Santhal, tribal community is particularly notable, representing about 51.8 per cent (more than half) of the tribal population of the state. The majority of the Santals are concentrated in the districts of Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Burdwan and Hooghly, although some pockets are also found in the Alipurduar district. Moreover, the Santals live not only in India but also in the adjoining countries. This paper analyses the living conditions of the Santal community in the Gram Panchayat area of the Alipurduar district, in particular.
Keywords: Santal, Education, Culture, Occupation