Basic Income, Forests and Anarchy

Abstract

In this chapter, Yadav describes the contemporary lives of the Gonds and the surrounding region. She shows how the Gonds have adapted to recent changes in the wider political economy by culturally appropriating many Rajput characteristics as a result of the integration with the wider society. Later, she compares Gonds with other communities in the region in their ability to do precarious forms of work and will demonstrate why the Gonds are able to lead an independent life instead of depending on the state for a form of assistance. In the process of labouring, she also describes how the Gonds become a source of local stereotypes and will investigate instead how these stereotypes were unfair and unfounded. She concludes the chapter by showing how these wider stereotypes have no impact on the Gonds who continue to strive to remain independent in their livelihoods pursuit.