In which year was the Criminal Tribes Act passed by the British colonial government?

The correct answer is 1871.

Key Points

• The Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) was passed by the British colonial government in 1871.
• The Act classified certain communities in India as "criminal tribes" and subjected them to harsh surveillance and restrictions.
• The Act primarily targeted communities that were nomadic or engaged in traditional occupations perceived as criminal by the colonial administration.
• Under the Act, members of these tribes were required to register with the government and could be forcibly relocated or confined to settlements.
• The Criminal Tribes Act was eventually repealed in 1952, after India gained independence, as it was widely considered discriminatory and oppressive.

Additional Information

• Nomadic and Denotified Tribes:
  • Nomadic tribes are communities that traditionally move from place to place for livelihood, while denotified tribes are those previously labeled as "criminal tribes" under the CTA.
  • After the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, these communities were renamed "Denotified Tribes."
• Purpose of the Criminal Tribes Act:
  • The Act aimed to control and monitor communities whose lifestyles did not align with the British colonial administration's governance model.
  • It was part of the colonial strategy to regulate labor and enforce social order.
• Impact of the Act:
  • The Act stigmatized entire communities, branding them as hereditary criminals and isolating them socially and economically.
  • It disrupted traditional occupations and led to widespread marginalization of affected communities.
• Repeal and Legacy:
  • The Criminal Tribes Act was replaced by the Habitual Offenders Act in 1952, which focused on individuals rather than entire communities.
  • The stigma associated with the Act continues to affect many denotified tribes in modern India.