Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ24750

Raji Tribes of Uttarakhand (India) : History Society and Contemporary Development

Authors(1) :-Rita Singh Rana

Tribes are unique social groups found all over the world including India. They live in isolation, follow one culture, or religion; speak a common language, and form a dynamic society. In this fluctuating world, they have been struggling for their basic amenities. Tribal communities have their own specific identity that reflects tribal people’s fondness towards nature, their beliefs, and fear of outsiders means non-tribal communities. One such tribe is the Raji tribe which is one of the five tribes of Uttarakhand. The Raji people are classified as a Schedule tribe under the list of the government of India in 1967. Historically, they have been considered as one of the oldest communities in the region, with roots that trace back centuries. They have been called names such as Banraji, Banravat, Ban-Manush, and cave dwellers, reflecting their connection with nature and the forests where they have traditionally lived. Both the terms Banravat and Ban-Manush are used for people who are closely associated with the forest and live in the forest. These names are proof of their dependency on the natural environment for survival and a distinctive way of life. They are hunters and gatherers and follow a nomadic lifestyle. This paper focuses on the small primitive Raji community in Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand state of India. The main argument of this paper is that their contemporary developments were successful or unsuccessful. This tribal community has been included in the PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) due to their demographic status. Why did this happen to them? There were many schemes by the government for the Raji for their development. But at ground level what is the reality of these Tribal communities? Finally, this paper documents the contemporary development of the tribal area.

Authors and Affiliations

Rita Singh Rana
Research scholar, Department of Medieval and Modern History, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India

Raji Tribes, PVTGs, Uttarakhand.

  1. Muir, Ancient Sanskrit Texts, ii, 865, 491; Wright, Nepal, 89, 106, 110, 312; Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1840, pp 733,766; 1858, pp 446, Quoted by Atkinson, Himalayan Gazetteer, ii, 384.
  2. Report of Kumaun, 19, 57; Asiatic Researchers, xvi, 150.
  3. Crook, William. The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Volume 2. 1896.
  4. Atkinson, John. The Himalayan Gazetteer: Being the Account of a Survey of the Western Himalayas in 1850-51. Volume 2. 1873.
  5. Pant, Bhavesh, “The Raji Tribe of Uttarakhand: Marginality, Social Exclusion and an Indifferent Mainstream Discourse.” The New Leam, Date 09/08/2020.
  6. Atkinson, Edwin. Thomas. The Himalayan districts of the North West provinces of India. vol II, 1882- 1886, [Reprint: New Delhi, Cosmo Publication,1973.
  7. Traill, G. W. Report on Kumaon. Asiatic Researchers: Comprising History and Antiquities, the Arts, Sciences and Literature of Asia.16:150. 1823.
  8. Khanna, Rajeev: “Why Has Development Not Reached The Van Raji Tribe?” The Citizen, 12 Sept. 2023,
  9. BW Online Bureau, 12 Sept 2023, “Uttarakhand HC Directs Developmental Activities for Raji Tribes”,  https://bwlegalworld.com/artical/uttrakhand.
  10. Raji tribe of Uttarakhand: Language, Culture, and Challenges. https://www.uttarakhandi.com. UK Connecting Uttarakhand Heritage.
  11. Pandey, Pushpesh. “Raji: A Tribe of Uttarakhand: Approach to Tribal Welfare.” The Indian Journal of Political Science, vol. 69, no. 2, April-June 2008, pp. 381-391. Indian Political Science Association.
  12. Rastogi, Kavita. “The COVID Pandemic: Response of the Raji Revitalization Programmes.” IARS’ International Research Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, 2021, pp. 5-9. International Association of Research Scholars.

Publication Details

Published in : Volume 7 | Issue 4 | July-August 2024
Date of Publication : 2024-08-16
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 89-94
Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ24750
Publisher : Shauryam Research Institute

ISSN : 2581-6306

Cite This Article :

Rita Singh Rana , "Raji Tribes of Uttarakhand (India) : History Society and Contemporary Development", Shodhshauryam, International Scientific Refereed Research Journal (SHISRRJ), ISSN : 2581-6306, Volume 7, Issue 4, pp.89-94, July-August.2024
URL : https://shisrrj.com/SHISRRJ24750

Article Preview