Bhotia is an exclusive ethnic community, different both from the Hindus and the Tibetans who inhabit the eastern and central Himalaya regions. Traditionally and, since time immemorial, they have drawn their subsistence from trade with Tibet, thus maintaining trade links between India and Tibet. This trans-Himalayan trade of the Bhotias not only influenced their day to day life, but had an overwhelming influence on their socio-cultural life, too. Due to sudden disruption of the trade with Tibet, the Bhotias were forced to seek alternative source of livelihood and effect suitable modification in their socio-cultural life. The present study spread over a vast canvass seeks to understand the magnitude and process of change under the changed circumstances. Useful data have been provided in numerous tables. The study brings out clearly the complex social situation in which the Bhotias find themselves trapped today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR R R Prasad
Dr. R.R. Prasad is presently working as Director in the Faculty of Sociology and Cultural Anthropology, National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. He received his M.A. degree in Anthropology and Ph.D. from Ranchi University, Ranchi. Before joining National Institute of Rural Development, he was associated with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and Home Ministry as Research Officer. Dr. Prasad has carried out several research studies on the problems of development of the weaker sections of society, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Besides, he has also carried out research studies on pastoral nomads, social forestry, displacement and rehabilitation, leather artisans, etc. He has to his credit 8 books and several research papers published in the reputed journals and edited books. Books published by Dr. Prasad are: Change and Continuity Among Scheduled Caste Leather Workers, Development of Leather Artisans: Profile, Problems and Prospects, Bhotia Tribals of India, Social Factors in Social Forestry, Tribals, Rehabilitation and Development, Pastorial Nomadism in Arid Zones of India, Bonded labourers: Dynamics of Rehabilitation and Organisation, etc.
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