Abstract
The South-Western part of West Bengal including a major part of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia District (approx. latitude 21 0 45 / N to 23 0 45 / N & 85 0 45 / E to 87 0 30 / E) is now literary marked as ‘Jangalmahal’. The name says that the major part of this region is covered by forest or jungle and it is one of the socio-economically backward regions of West Bengal. Ethnical variation of the region is also remarkable. Almost 25-30% of the total population of the aforesaid districts is tribes. Now-a-days the uprising Maoist Movement (‘Terrorism’ according to the State) creates a new sociopolitical dimension in West Bengal. Apparently, the reason behind this is the backwardness and historical deprivation of an ethnical group. But it is not the only reason. The various reasons lying behind this also include their demand for cultural identity. So, the movement is now gradually turning to cultural and political movement against the upper caste (the so-called mainstream) who historically and hereditary enjoys all powers of a state. The recent tug-of-war of the political parties in West Bengal has made the situation more critical. The problem may only be mitigated humanistically, not politically. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the cause, consequence and lastly the solution of the problem in the light of Geographical, Ethnological and Philosophical aspect keeping aside the traditional political debate. Besides the theoretical description, some maps and cartograms have also been used to justify the analysis. (key words : Jangalmahal, Maoist Movement, Ethnical variation, Cultural identity )
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