Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status

Received: 27 August 2024     Accepted: 14 September 2024     Published: 10 October 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of the macro-level socio-economic landscape characterizing the Nat community, a de-notified tribe categorized as a scheduled caste in the state of Rajasthan, India. The primary aim is to furnish a nuanced understanding of the life and livelihood dynamics and the contemporary circumstances of the Nat community both at a national level and, more specifically, within the confines of Rajasthan. Historically, the Nat community is a nomadic group of entertainers who performed for Rajput kings and their subjects through dance and acrobatic skills. Drawing upon an amalgamation of existing scholarly works, the most recent datasets, and pertinent information from sources such as the 2011 census and reports issued by the National Commission on Nomadic, Semi-nomadic, and De-Notified Tribes, the paper unfolds across various thematic sections. These segments include an examination of the historical trajectory of the Nat community, an assessment of their social standing across different states, an exploration of the diversities, divisions, and deprivations experienced by the Nat community in Rajasthan, and a macro-level reflection on their demographic, educational, and economic profiles. Through this multi-faceted approach, the paper aspires to contribute valuable insights into the intricate socio-economic fabric that encapsulates the Nat community in the Indian context.

Published in Advances in Sciences and Humanities (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11
Page(s) 60-68
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Nat Community, De-notified Tribe, Social Position, and Diversities and Divisions

References
[1] Acharya, A. K. (2012). Impact of cultural and religious practices of prostitution on the trafficking of women in India. Trayectorias, 14(33–34), 95–114.
[2] Agrawal, A. (2008). Chaste wives and prostitute sisters: Patriarchy and prostitution among the Bedias of India. New Delhi: Taylor & Francis.
[3] Alam M. M., & Singh M. (2021). A sociological analysis of religion and caste among the Nat Muslims in India. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 25(2), 772–791.
[4] Alam, M. M., & Singh, M. (2022). Understanding identity, education and multi-religiosity among the Nat Tribe of Paschim Champaran in India. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 0(0), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X211069494
[5] Jangir & Azeez, A. E. P. (2017). Parental attitudes and childrens perception on gender discrimination: Evidences from rural Rajasthan. Indian Journal of Sustainable Development, 3(1), 29.
[6] Jangir & Kaushik, A. (2017). Living Pattern of Nat in Rajasthan: Looking Beyond Exclusion. Journal of Social Inclusion Studies, 3(1–2), 113–125.
[7] Jangir & RajNat, V. (2022). Impact of pandemic on women engaged in bar dances and sex work: A case of Nat community in Rajasthan. Social Work with Groups, 45(1), 68-73.
[8] Jangir (2019). Discrimination in access to health and education: narratives from Nat community in Rajasthan. Social Action, 69(3), 281-293.
[9] Azeez, E. A., Toolsiram, R., & Mishra, A. (2017). RajNats of Rajasthan and the sex work: An ethnographic study. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 9(1), 37-47.
[10] Crooke, W., (1974). The tribes and castes of the north-western India. Delhi: Cosmo Publication.
[11] Idate, B. R. (2017). National Commission for Denotified. Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribe. Ministry of Social Justice and Environment, Government of India, New Delhi.
[12] Jagori. (2006). Migration, trafficking and sites of work: Rights and vulnerabilities. New Delhi: Jagori, available at migration final report.doc (jagori.org).
[13] Kotiswaran, P. (2014). Beyond the allures of Criminalization: Rethinking the regulation of sex work in India. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 14(5), 565–579.
[14] Kumar, D. (2010). Nat. In B. P. Singh (Ed.), Criminal Tribes of Punjab, (103-111). New Delhi: Routledge.
[15] Menon, N. (2004). Worker: Census Definition. Retrieved from Worker (Census Definition) – Arthapedia.
[16] Neuman, D. M. (1990). The life of music in North India: The organization of an artistic tradition. University of Chicago Press.
[17] Rawat, V. B. (2013). Status of Nats in our society. Manushki, Humanism for All. Retrieved from Manuski: Humanism for All: Status of Nat's in our society manukhsi.blogspot.com
[18] Rose, H. A. (1919). Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and NWF province. New Delhi: Amar Prakashan.
[19] Singh, K. S. (1993). People of India: Rajasthan: Anthropological Survey of India, 38. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.
[20] Swarankar, R. C. (2002). ‘Nat’ women in Rajasthan: From rope dancers to sex workers. The Oriental Anthropologist, 2(1), 55-64.
[21] Swarankar, R. C. (2008). Ethnographic study of community-based sex work among Nats. In R. Sahni, V. K. Shankar, & H. Apte, (Eds.), Prostitution and beyond: An analysis of sex work in India (118–125). New Delhi: Sage.
[22] Swarankar, R. C. (2007). Traditional female sex workers of Rajasthan, India: An ethnographic study of Nat community. In L. E. Lucas (Ed.), Unpacking globalization: Markets, gender, and work (155–167). Lanham MD: Lexington Books.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Jangir, H. P., Budharam, R. (2024). From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 10(4), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Jangir, H. P.; Budharam, R. From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status. Adv. Sci. Humanit. 2024, 10(4), 60-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Jangir HP, Budharam R. From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status. Adv Sci Humanit. 2024;10(4):60-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11,
      author = {Hemraj Prasad Jangir and Ramesh Budharam},
      title = {From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status
    },
      journal = {Advances in Sciences and Humanities},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {60-68},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ash.20241004.11},
      abstract = {This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of the macro-level socio-economic landscape characterizing the Nat community, a de-notified tribe categorized as a scheduled caste in the state of Rajasthan, India. The primary aim is to furnish a nuanced understanding of the life and livelihood dynamics and the contemporary circumstances of the Nat community both at a national level and, more specifically, within the confines of Rajasthan. Historically, the Nat community is a nomadic group of entertainers who performed for Rajput kings and their subjects through dance and acrobatic skills. Drawing upon an amalgamation of existing scholarly works, the most recent datasets, and pertinent information from sources such as the 2011 census and reports issued by the National Commission on Nomadic, Semi-nomadic, and De-Notified Tribes, the paper unfolds across various thematic sections. These segments include an examination of the historical trajectory of the Nat community, an assessment of their social standing across different states, an exploration of the diversities, divisions, and deprivations experienced by the Nat community in Rajasthan, and a macro-level reflection on their demographic, educational, and economic profiles. Through this multi-faceted approach, the paper aspires to contribute valuable insights into the intricate socio-economic fabric that encapsulates the Nat community in the Indian context.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status
    
    AU  - Hemraj Prasad Jangir
    AU  - Ramesh Budharam
    Y1  - 2024/10/10
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11
    T2  - Advances in Sciences and Humanities
    JF  - Advances in Sciences and Humanities
    JO  - Advances in Sciences and Humanities
    SP  - 60
    EP  - 68
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2472-0984
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20241004.11
    AB  - This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of the macro-level socio-economic landscape characterizing the Nat community, a de-notified tribe categorized as a scheduled caste in the state of Rajasthan, India. The primary aim is to furnish a nuanced understanding of the life and livelihood dynamics and the contemporary circumstances of the Nat community both at a national level and, more specifically, within the confines of Rajasthan. Historically, the Nat community is a nomadic group of entertainers who performed for Rajput kings and their subjects through dance and acrobatic skills. Drawing upon an amalgamation of existing scholarly works, the most recent datasets, and pertinent information from sources such as the 2011 census and reports issued by the National Commission on Nomadic, Semi-nomadic, and De-Notified Tribes, the paper unfolds across various thematic sections. These segments include an examination of the historical trajectory of the Nat community, an assessment of their social standing across different states, an exploration of the diversities, divisions, and deprivations experienced by the Nat community in Rajasthan, and a macro-level reflection on their demographic, educational, and economic profiles. Through this multi-faceted approach, the paper aspires to contribute valuable insights into the intricate socio-economic fabric that encapsulates the Nat community in the Indian context.
    
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak Tahamzam, India

  • Department of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak Tahamzam, India

  • Sections