Changing Lives of Birhors in Purulia: A Socio-economic Observation in Twenty-first Century

Abstract

Purulia is a habitat of various tribal communities of West Bengal as well as the vast tribal families of Indian sub-continent. The tribes are normally portrayed as discrete categories, having little linkages with the happenings of the mainstream civilization. Having very little population in West Bengal, the Birhors mainly reside in the area under Baghmundi, Jhaldah and Balarampur police stations of Purulia district which forms an extension of Hazaribagh plateau. One of the earliest nomadic tribes of our country, the Birhors settled down, giving up their wanderer characteristic feature, over time. This article highlights their past as well as quite colourful present to show the difference made by government initiatives under tribal development programmes. The article also depicts the socio-economic, educational and cultural condition of the Birhors in the fast-moving world of twenty-first century.