Addressing the question of tribal life in post colonial India The case of jesuit mission in post colonial malabar

Abstract

The study investigates the historical and contemporary role of Jesuit missionaries in shaping tribal development in Malabar after Indian independence. It examines how Jesuit interventions among tribal communities in Malabar evolved from their colonial roots and whether they align with post-colonial ideals of participation and self-determination. Drawing upon post-colonial theory, liberation theology, and theory of Cultural Marxism, the research critically analyses the continuities and transformations in Jesuit approaches to education, welfare, and social justice. The study draws upon archival records, Jesuit correspondence, government documents, and field observations from Wayanad, Palakkad, and Kannur. Through these sources, it explores the interaction between missionary initiatives, state policies, and tribal responses. By situating Jesuit engagement within the wider context of post- colonial governance and social change, the study highlights how religious institutions have mediated the relationship between state power and indigenous communities. It ultimately contributes to reinterpreting tribal development in Malabar as a site of negotiation between colonial legacies and post-colonial aspirations. The thesis is organized into four chapters, excluding the introduction and conclusion. The introduction gives an overview of the research project and explains the conceptual framework of the study. The first chapter, “Evolution of Tribal Life in India: Historical Developments and Policy Interventions,” traces the transformation of tribal communities from self-sustained pre-colonial societies to their altered circumstances under colonial and post-independence governance. It examines how British administrative and economic policies disrupted traditional tribal systems, resulting in displacement and social marginalization. The chapter further evaluates post- independence welfare measures that, despite aiming at upliftment, often reproduced colonial patterns of control and dependency. Through this analysis, the study situates contemporary tribal challenges within a broader historical continuum of state intervention and structural inequality. The second chapter, “Jesuit Legacy in Malabar: From Colonial Roots to Post-Colonial Period,” traces the historical trajectory of Jesuit missions in Kerala, highlighting their transformation from colonial-era religious conversion efforts to post-independence social and community development initiatives. The chapter also considers how Jesuit missions adapted to shifting socio-political contexts in post- colonial India, negotiating the balance between spiritual objectives and socio- economic interventions.The third chapter, “Jesuit Intervention with Tribal Communities in Post- Colonial Malabar,” focuses on Jesuit programs aimed at empowering tribal populations through education, healthcare, and initiatives fostering self-reliance. It analyzes specific projects such as the Jesuit Mission for Adivasi Integration (JEMAI), TUDI, and AADI, highlighting efforts to preserve tribal cultural heritage while advocating for indigenous rights. The chapter evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions in responding to structural inequalities, external pressures, and historical marginalization of tribal communities. The fourth chapter, “Perspectives and Challenges to Jesuits’ Work in Tribal Malabar,” examines the internal and external obstacles faced by Jesuit missionaries in tribal areas. Challenges include resistance from landowners, tensions within Christian communities, and the difficulties of sustaining tribal identity amid modernization and external development pressures. The chapter further explores how Jesuits continue to promote social justice and community development, negotiating these challenges while striving to maintain participatory and culturally sensitive approaches in their engagement with tribal populations. The study demonstrates that Jesuit missionaries in post-colonial Malabar have significantly shifted from colonial-era practices of religious conversion and cultural imposition to initiatives focused on social empowerment, education, and the preservation of tribal identity. Their programs, including TUDI and AADI, have promoted community participation, skill development, and ecological restoration, fostering agency and self-reliance among tribal populations. Despite these contributions, challenges such as limited personnel, infrastructural constraints, and cultural and legal barriers continue to affect the sustainability of their work. By situating Jesuit engagement within a post-colonial framework, the study highlights both the transformative potential of their interventions and the enduring influence of historical power structures. The conclusion presents a summary of the study’s key findings and interpretations.