Tribal women: Changing spectrum in India

Women occupy an important place in contemporary India, marked by tradition and modernity. Their contribution of the maintenance of status quo, as also the innovative perspective of society is of vital importance. This underlines the need for exploring their proper place in any socio-cultural milieu including that of tribals. In spite of a long history of cultural contact, the tribal women continue to present some uniqueness as regards their status vis-a-vis their coun terparts in larger Indian Society. This study attempts to present the saga of the Bhotia women of Uttar Pradesh State in India.
The study reveals that traditionally the Bhotia women had fairly high status and enjoyed considerable freedom in different spheres of life. But their status has declined considerably as a result of an interplay amongst the processes of Hinduization, Sanskritization, Moder nization and then again Retribalization. Many evils associated with caste society have filtered down into their fabric of social structure. Bhotia women seem to have fallen victim to these forces of change. The study also analyses their problems and emphasizes the need for their immediate solution.