Bhotia tribals of India: dynamics of economic transformation

Bhotia is an exclusive ethnic community, different both from the Hindus and the Tibetans who inhabit the eastern and central Himalaya regions. Traditionally and, since time immemorial, they have drawn their subsistence from trade with Tibet, thus maintaining trade links between India and Tibet. This trans-Himalayan trade of the Bhotias not only influenced their day-to-daylife, but had an overwhelming influence on their socio-cultural life, too.

Due to sudden disruption of the trade with Tibet, the Bhotias were forced to seek alternative source of livelihood and effect suitable modification in their socio-cultural life. The present study spread over a vast canvass seeks to understand the magnitude and process of change under the changed circumstances. Useful data have been provided in numerous tables. The study brings out clearly the complex social situation in which the Bhotias find themselves trapped today.