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Synopsis Over the years, sociologists, anthropologists and the non-tribal masses have, deliberately or inadvertently, developed an image of a tribal as that of a sub-human being, fully deprived of the attributes of a civilized life. The present work seeks to study the development among the Mina tribal society of Eastern Rajasthan.

The Minas lived in isolation for a long period of history. When the Criminal Tribe Act in 1952 was dropped, they began to come closer to the regional caste culture. Their isolation, thus, continued to give them survival in terms of tribal identity. The constitutional safeties and securities guaranteed to the Minas have brought about certain social and cultural changes among them. This has also changed the image of the Minas in particular and the other tribal groups in general. This new image has created problems of their social and cultural identity. They are now not only fully politicized but have also made their entry into government services. They have also attained some of the characteristics of modernity.

The book will be of special interest to researchers, policy makers and bureaucrats concerned with tribal development.