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The tribes ( Adivasi) were self governed from the very inception that is very inception that is the 'first nations'. In most parts of the pre-colonial period in India, they were part of the 'unknown frontier' of the respective states where the rule of the reign in fact did not extend, and the Adivasis governed themselves outside of the influence of the particular ruler.
Scholars and historians are of opinion that in the epic Ramayana dated 200 B.C. to 500 B.C. "The kingdom of king Ravana and kishkinda, the homeland of Vanaras (depicted as monkeys) were places situated south of Chitrakuta hill and north of Narmada river in middle India. Accordingly, Ravana and his people was an aboriginal tribe in India, most probably Gond, and the Vanaras, like Hanuman in the epic, belonged to the Savara and korku tribes whose descendants still alive in the forestry belt of central India.
In Mahabharata, it is referred that the demise of Krishna at the hands of a Bhil Jaratha showed the existence of tribal people in India. In the ancient scriptures, considered to be sacred by the upper castes, various terms are used depicting Adivvasis as almost animals. In the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Samhitas and other so called 'sacred books' refer to Adivasis as Rakshasa (demons), Vanara (monkey), Jambuvan (boar men), Naga (serpents), Bhusundi kaka (crow), Garuda (king of Eagles) and many more.
The introduction of Permanent settlement Act by the British in 1793 conferred the control over vast territories, to designated feudal lords for the purpose of revenue collection by the British. This led to forced restructuring of the relationship of Adivasis to their territories as well as the power relationship between Adivasis and the modern people.
Scholars and historians are of opinion that in the epic Ramayana dated 200 B.C. to 500 B.C. "The kingdom of king Ravana and kishkinda, the homeland of Vanaras (depicted as monkeys) were places situated south of Chitrakuta hill and north of Narmada river in middle India. Accordingly, Ravana and his people was an aboriginal tribe in India, most probably Gond, and the Vanaras, like Hanuman in the epic, belonged to the Savara and korku tribes whose descendants still alive in the forestry belt of central India.
In Mahabharata, it is referred that the demise of Krishna at the hands of a Bhil Jaratha showed the existence of tribal people in India. In the ancient scriptures, considered to be sacred by the upper castes, various terms are used depicting Adivvasis as almost animals. In the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Samhitas and other so called 'sacred books' refer to Adivasis as Rakshasa (demons), Vanara (monkey), Jambuvan (boar men), Naga (serpents), Bhusundi kaka (crow), Garuda (king of Eagles) and many more.
The introduction of Permanent settlement Act by the British in 1793 conferred the control over vast territories, to designated feudal lords for the purpose of revenue collection by the British. This led to forced restructuring of the relationship of Adivasis to their territories as well as the power relationship between Adivasis and the modern people.
