The Rajbanshis are the largest Scheduled Caste (SC) group in West Bengal, with a population of around 50,00,000. Since Independence they have been demanding a separate state for themselves which they believe existed long before the contours of India came into existence. Given their large population, the Rajbanshi vote will have significant impact in the upcoming general elections.
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