Paper short abstract:

The paper examines the socio-cultural profiles and change among the scheduled tribes of Uttarakhand state of India, namely Jaunsari,Bhotia, Bhoksa, Tharu and Raji, alongwith factors responsible for such change.

Paper long abstract:

The Uttarakhand state of India was created on 09th November 2000 by bifurcating the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh state. This state is inhabitted by five scheduled tribes, namely Jaunsari, Bhotia, Bhoksa,Tharu and Raji, who were declared as 'scheduled tribe' in 1967. The paper analyses their distinct socio-cultural profiles,such as, fraternal or adelphic polyandry of the Jaunsari,transhumance of the Bhotia,land alienation of the Bhoksa,woman dominance of the patrilineal Tharu and 'invisible trading' of the Raji. The paper incorporates various factors of change, which are transforming their socio-cultural life in view of technological advancement and modernization.It is concludrd in the paper that all these five scheduled tribes are passing through transitional phase and are likely to lose their indigenous culture in course of time. There is an urgent need to protect their indigenous culture.