Logo

Synopsis The people of India are facing the impact of various external and/or internal forces sinces time immemorial. These forces brought about a number of changes in their socio-cultural life. The tribal people of our country are no exception. Their culture also in a similar way, clearly shows the impression of various forces. The Mech Western Duars, in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal like many other tribal groups distributed in different parts of India, have accepted a series of changes in their culture because of impact of forces like Hinduism, Christianity, modern education democratic legislations, modern communication etc. But the impact of Christianity has put a marked impresseion on their culture. Through this book the author after studying both Christian and Non-Christian Mech differ from their Non-Christian brethren. The present study is unique in the sense that it gives a vivid panorama of the changed situation of a tribal people and also one hundred or 50 years of missionary activity in the Western Duars. This study also reviews the situation in regard to the condition and contradiction under which the mech converts have entered their present phase of social living. The present study will be very useful not only to the social scientists who study social changes, but also to the planners, administrators, social workers and others who plan and implement different development projects for the welfare of the tribal people.