The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871
Immutable Divisions: The Act That Forged Caste Chains
By: Ishaan Ranjan and Anay Pruthy
Research Paper
Dive deep into our comprehensive research about the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 and its lasting impact on society.
Extended Interview with Dr. Mishra
Interview Transcripts
Expert Insights
Historian: Nidhi Mishra
Nidhi Mishra holds a doctorate in Indian History and specializes in caste, colonialism, and social movements. Her academic work provides a critical, evidence-based perspective on the origins and evolution of caste in South Asia.
Journalist: Yachica Dutt
Yashica Dutt: A best-selling author and journalist, Yashica Dutt writes about her personal experiences as a Dalit woman navigating caste discrimination. She currently works independently in media, using storytelling to amplify marginalized voices.
Activist: Prem Pariyar
Prem Pariyar is a Dalit rights activist affiliated with Equality Labs and the International Dalit Network. He advocates for caste equity through grassroots organizing, policy work, and global awareness campaigns.
Why We Built This
We chose to build this project to confront the enduring impact of the Criminal Tribes Act and the British caste census—policies that ostracized lower‐caste communities in colonial India. The topic felt deeply personal as someone whose own experiences were shaped by caste‐based discrimination; it fueled our commitment to spotlight this history. We wanted to explore how centuries of injustice not only marginalized entire identities but also fostered a legacy of intergenerational trauma. By challenging this legacy, we aim to highlight how modern institutions must protect marginalized communities.
How We Built It
Our project was shaped through extensive archival and digital research. We analyzed colonial records, census data, and academic works, while also seeking out marginalized voices—Dalit authors, local historians, and firsthand interviews. We compiled and digitized oral histories, curated photographs, and mapped out the locations where criminalized tribes were resettled over time. Using these primary sources, we created an interactive timeline and layered the data with personal testimonials, historical visuals, and geography references. Every design choice was made to help visitors not just learn history, but feel its breadth.
About Us
Anay Pruthy
A rising junior at BASIS Peoria with a strong passion for human rights and feminist literature.
Ishaan Ranjan
A rising senior at BASIS Peoria with a strong passion for justice and feminist literature.
Contact Us
If you have questions or feedback, email us at ishaanranjan15@gmail.com or anaypruthy@gmail.com.