The Comparative Study of the Karbis under the Sixth Schedule and the Plain Areas of Assam with Special Reference to the Dimoria Region

Abstract

Tribal communities in India, among the oldest socio cultural formations in South Asia, have historically negotiated questions of identity, autonomy, land, and political representation. In Northeast India, these negotiations have been deeply shaped by constitutional safeguards and territorial rights. The Karbis of Assam exemplify this dynamic, as their population is divided between the hill districts under the Sixth Schedule and the plains, particularly Dimoria, which remain outside its protections. This paper undertakes a comparative study of Karbi Anglong and Dimoria, beginning with anthropological and sociological debates on the concept of “tribe,” and then examining constitutional provisions for Scheduled Tribes. It traces the historical origins and migration of the Karbis, critically evaluates the Sixth Schedule, and analyses its implications for Karbi identity and governance. The study demonstrates that while the Sixth Schedule has enabled political autonomy and institutional safeguards for the Karbis of Karbi Anglong, plains Karbis continue to face marginalisation, identity fragmentation, and exclusion from constitutional protections. By juxtaposing these experiences, the paper highlights the uneven citizenship produced within the same ethnic community and underscores the need to rethink tribal autonomy beyond territorial boundaries..