Pashchimbanger Janajati by Krishnapriya Bhattacharya [Hardcover]

The unique state of West Bengal, shaped by the eternal calls of forests, birds, mountains, rivers, and seas, can be described as a multi-voiced state. With a population of over six and a half million indigenous people, the state is home to more than fifty indigenous groups, both recognized and unrecognized. Despite this, West Bengal still preserves nearly forty indigenous languages, many of which are only orally transmitted. In terms of the number of indigenous people, West Bengal now ranks in the top ten among India's largest indigenous-populated states. However, we often fail to recognize that in terms of ethnic and linguistic diversity, Indigenous Bengali is the number one language in the country. We do not cultivate Indigenous Bengali, and hence, it does not bear fruit. There are hardly any reliable illustrated books in Bengali about Indigenous Bengali. The book *Indigenous Communities of West Bengal* is likely to fill this gap after a long time. This book offers essential and informative discussions about forty indigenous communities residing in Bengal. It includes the most recent population data, information about their regions, and a set of contemporary photographs taken by the author, making it useful not only for those interested in indigenous peoples but also for the academic field. This book is the result of the author's long-term interaction and focused research with indigenous communities.