Abstract

Tribal societies have occupied a complex and often contested space within postcolonial nation-states. While frequently romanticized as symbols of cultural purity or targeted as populations in need of “development” tribal communities have historically faced political marginalization cultural assimilation and economic exploitation. This paper examines the politics of integrating tribal societies into postcolonial state structures with a particular focus on India but drawing comparative insights from other regions. It explores how colonial legacies nationalist ideologies and modern development agendas have shaped state-tribe relations. At the same time it highlights how tribal communities have mobilized in defense of land identity and autonomy. Through a critical anthropological and political lens the paper argues that true integration must move beyond assimilation and toward a pluralistic framework that respects tribal self-determination and cultural distinctiveness within the nation-sta