ABSTRACT

The following research tries to study the impact of geo-political location on the formation of a newer livelihood pattern amongst the Bhotiya Shauka community living in rural parts of Uttarakhand. Livelihood practices doesn’t occur in isolation and are largely decided or influenced by material conditions, its traces are, however, visible in the socio-cultural and economic traditions of that society. It is important to understand how such transitions to a different livelihood occur by historicizing the entire process. Such changes, not only, affect the value systems of the community but can question the existence of traditional institutions which mark its own space. Since, the context where the community is located has an important role to play, the dynamicity of trade, capital and, resulting, conflicts are a part and parcel of the livelihood. One, therefore, requires to take into consideration and understand other larger structures working in place. This will not only help in understanding a simple equation of demand and supply but how it create newer possibilities and limitations for the local people living in the high mountain areas of the Himalayan region. The following research done will try to explore the above mentioned possibilities as to how a systemic change in livelihood can alter the lifestyle and, simultaneously, the worldview of the Shaukas.