“Ethnographic and Socio-Political Study of Gujjar and Bakarwal Community of Jammu & Kashmir”

By SHAHID HAKLA POONCHI

This paper titled “Ethnographic and Socio-Political Study of Gujjar and Bakarwal Community of Jammu & Kashmir” was published in “JOURNAL OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (JETIR)” – a UGC care list approved journal under ISSN: 2349-5162 | ESTD Year : 2014 | Monthly Issue

This paper presents an in-depth socio-cultural and economic exploration of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community of Jammu
& Kashmir, India—nomadic tribes whose way of life is deeply aligned with nature and rooted in tradition. Drawing on secondary data,
oral histories, and ethnographic sources, the study highlights their origins, cultural divisions, language, customs, political
marginalization, and economic challenges. Despite their rich heritage and historical resilience, Gujjars and Bakarwals continue to face
poverty, illiteracy, and infrastructural deprivation. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their identity,
challenges, and the policy gaps that hinder their upliftment. It underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in education,
livelihood, and political representation to support their integration in a rapidly modernizing society.