The Impact of Christian Mission on the Socio-Cultural Life of the Bhil Tribe in Rajasthan

Through their mission, work and philanthropic activities, Christian missionaries helped the Bhils to have a transformed life. The Bhils had no right to education; missionaries gave them the chance to read, write and calculate thus enabling them to a great extent to get freedom from exploitation and gain upward mobility. Unfortunately, the Christian mission in the Bhil land is generally seen as the result of western proselytisation. Missionaries are made responsible for separating the tribals from the Hindus, meddling in politics and destroying tribal culture. However, a proper analysis of Christian mission shows that the Bhil Chruch as not the result of proselytisation. It was based on genuine conviction. Missionaries were very careful about baptising the Bhils who wanted to join the Church. They were strongly against the idea of luring the Bhils to Christianity by the prospect of food, job and money. Their involvement in social activities such as education, medical care, famine relief and development was meant to help the Bhils in general; it was never used as inducement. Today’s Bhil Christians not only maintain their tribal identity, but also work for the common good of the Bhil society.