Impact of the British Rule on Criminal Tribes-A Case Study of District Kangra

Abstract

This research paper aims to contribute towards the lesser-known historical aspect of Colonial Historiography in relation to District Kangra, where some communities were designated as Criminal Tribes, with a number of stern regulations being placed upon them. The British had viewed them as Habitual Criminals, with crime being inherent in them. The paper seeks to ascertain the efforts made by the British Government as well as by the Christian missionaries for their emancipation. By utilizing the British era archival material and contemporary works available, the paper aims to highlight the impact which the British policies had on these tribes in District Kangra, which included placing restrictions on their movements, opening up of schools exclusively for them and setting up reformatory settlements. The paper insinuates the need for further research in order to address their marginalization in the contemporary era.