31, July 2025

Impact of Development on the Megalithic culture among the Bhumij tribe of Purulia

VOLUME-9; ISSUE-7; JULY-2025

Author(s): 1. Naresh Sardar, 2. Jagdeep Oraon

Authors Affiliations:

1Ph.D. research scholar, Dept. of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India

2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal, India

DOIs:10.2017/IJRCS/202507031     |     Paper ID: IJRCS202507031


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The Indian subcontinent is home to different ethnic communities. The Bhumij tribe is the 2nd largest populated tribe after the Santhal in the Purulia district of West Bengal, India. Apart from Purulia, they are also inhabitants in the districts of Jhargram, Bankura, South and North 24 Parganas, and their adjoining areas, and are also found in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, and Odisha. Present research tries to search for the megalithic culture among the Bhumij. It is practiced by them at the burial ground. Megalithic refers to monuments built of large stones for different purposes, like memorial pillars, village boundaries, etc., which are markers of ancestral reverence and cultural identity. Due to rapid development and modernization, there are challenges to preserving this ancient cultural heritage. Here, researchers tried to understand the impact of development on megalithic culture among the Bhumij tribe in the Balarampur block of Purulia district. Through ethnographic fieldwork, various anthropological research methods, like in-depth interviews, participant observation, schedules, genealogy, photography, etc., are employed for primary data collection. For secondary data, I used various books, journals, and websites, as well as Govt reports, etc. The research reveals the decline in traditional rituals and knowledge transmission, threatening the tribal cultural heritage. Apart from this, some community members try to revitalize and advocate for the need for inclusive development policies that respect the tribal heritage. 

Bhumij tribe, Megalithic culture, Development, Cultural Transformation, Purulia.

Naresh Sardar,  Dr. Jagdeep Oraon(2025); Impact Of Development on The Megalithic Culture Among The Bhumij Tribe Of Purulia, International Journal of Research Culture Society,    ISSN(O): 2456-6683,  Volume – 9,   Issue –  7,  Pp. 200-212.       Available on – https://ijrcs.org/

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