Description
Shifting Identities of the Banjaras is a historical study that documents the evolution of the Banjara community. It details their transition from being nomadic traders and transporters, operating in groups known as Tanda, to a more marginalized group whose traditional way of life was fundamentally altered by colonialism and modernization. The book describes the Tanda as the Banjara’s moving caravan, which served as a crucial part of the economy during the medieval and Mughal periods. They transported non-perishable goods like grain and salt across the Indian subcontinent.
The book explains how the Banjara community’s identity was reframed under British colonial rule. With the introduction of railways, their trade became obsolete, and the British Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 marginalized them by labeling them as criminals. The book details how the introduction of railways effectively ended the Banjara’s traditional role as transporters. It argues that modern railway and highway routes often follow the historic trading paths that the Banjaras originally forged through forests and difficult terrain.
