Tribe-Class Linkages: The History and Politics of the Agrarian Movement in Tripura

This book is a historical study of the development of agrarian class relations among the tribal population in Tripura. Tracing the evolution of Tripura and its agrarian relations from monarchy in the nineteenth century to democracy in the twentieth century, the book discusses the nature of the erstwhile princely state of Tripura, analyses the emergence of differentiation within tribes, and documents the emergence of the tribal movement in the state. It specifically focuses on the tribal movement led by the Ganamukti Parishad, beginning with the historic revolt of 1948-51 against state repression on the tribal people, followed by the mass movements in the 1950s and 1960s, which were founded on a recognition of class relations and the slogan of unity across the tribal and non-tribal (Bengali) peasantry.

The first of its kind, the book will be indispensable for students and researchers of tribal studies, agrarian studies, exclusion studies, tribe-class relationships, minority studies, sociology, development studies, history, political science, north-east India studies, and South Asian studies. It will also be useful for activists and policymakers working in the area.

Saqib Khan is an independent researcher based in New Delhi, India. He received his Doctorate in Social Sciences from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai in 2020. His doctoral thesis looked at the state policy and tribal movements in Tripura, north-east India and explored the link between tribe and class. He is the co-editor of Muslims in Urban India: Development and Exclusion and translator of a forthcoming book on Tripura. His research interests include social movements, agrarian change, tribal studies, and north-east India studies, and he has published several articles on these. Besides academics, he is a keen observer of politics and sports enthusiast.