In the context of India's development policies, particularly during the Nehruvian era, the focus on large infrastructure projects such as dams, mines, and factories has heavily impacted tribal communities, which often dwell in mineral-rich and forested regions. The exploration and exploitation required for these developments have largely benefited the dominant society at the expense of tribal rights and livelihood. This has resulted in significant displacement, loss of land, and disruption of traditional lifestyles, emphasizing the often overlooked consequences of national development strategies upon tribal groups. Additionally, as these communities face the encroachment of external influences, their identities are gradually shaped by the need for resistance against the mainstream. Notably, growing emphasis on education and middle-class emergence within some tribal societies is also highlighted, leading to a complex interplay between identity assertion and socio-economic participation.