The transition from tribe to caste has remained a contested phenomenon in India. Many tribal groups had left their religion, culture, language, and traditional practices to elevate their social status in the caste-based hierarchical society. This complex transition is addressed in the context of the Rajbanshi identity, highlighting the intricacies involved. Adopting the frame of “retribalisation” questions the simplistic tribe to caste narrative and reiterates their consistent effort to embrace “generic” roots left in the past to bargain with the wider society.
