Paper short abstract:

The paper intends to identify Scheduled Tribe status of Dhimal (an indigenous community of northern part of West Bengal, India), which may consider as a ladder for socio-cultural, educational and economic upliftment. The study also narrates the struggle of said community because of non-recognition after independence (of India).

Paper long abstract:

The Dhimal of North Bengal (northern part of West Bengal, India) had categorized as non-Aryan tribe by scholars of pre-Independent India. However, after Independence, they simply wiped out from government censuses. Recently they have been classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC) of West Bengal. Even in terms of education, occupation or Social-Cultural context they are very similar to tribal communities of West Bengal. Therefore, they (Dhimals) demand for Scheduled tribe status instead of OBCs. Because of the uneven competitions with dominant next door neighbours and others in respect of nation, push them much behind whether in the field of education, occupation or socio-cultural context as a whole

The present paper is an attempt to identify almost all the documents on Dhimals having historical importance in the field of Anthropological research, and also to comments on the status or identity of Dhimals as per previous writings. The sources have identified the Dhimals as a non-Aryan Tribe, with distinguishable characteristics; though with some recent changes in cultural aspects, which is not so deviated that can exclude Dhimals from previous status. The study also narrates the struggle of said community because of non-recognition as a Scheduled Tribe, specially after the independence of India.