This compendium of 10 papers, presented at a conference, held at the Royal Asiatic Society of London, attempts to explore the ways that Indian adivasi (tribal) people have been understood over the past two centuries. It investigate whether there is anything particularly adivasi about the forms of resistance that have been labeled as adivasi movements.

Moving beyond stereotypes of tribal rebellion, it argues that it is important to explore how and why particular forms of resistance are depicted as adivasi issues at particular points of time. Interpretations that have depicted adivasis as a united and highly politicized group of people have romanticised and demonized tribal society and history, thus denying the individuals and communities involving any real agency.