CHAPTER III ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta attempts to preserve the diverse nature of our culture by orienting its programme to national tasks and by covering major gaps in developing programme of nation-wide continuance of anthropological studies of human groups. Its main activities are
(i)Physical Anthropology The research activities of the Physical Anthropology Wing encompassed different subfields such as osteology, palaeo-anthro- pology, human biology, demogenetics, dermatoglyphics, growth, and nutrition. The osteology laboratory was engaged in the restoration and preservation work of the ancient human remains excavated from different archaeological sites. An inventory of several ancient series was prepared; the remaining series are being inventorised. A report on the finds from Rupar (Punjab) was completed. The human remains excavated from the Bronze Age site at Kalibangan in Rajasthan were chemically treated and reconstructed for laboratory study. Measurements were taken on this series; indices were calculated; and the stature and cranial capacity were estimated according to the standard precedure. A report entitled "Size of the post-canine tooth crowns of the Andaman Negritos" was completed. A study on the dental health of the ancient Indian population was also completed showing that they were remarkably free from dental morbidities. The Anthro- pological Survey of India collaborated with the Archaeological Survey of India by deputing officers to hold classes and deliver lectures at the School of Archaeology, New Delhi.
Blood samples were collected from different populations for studying the ABO, MN, and Rh blood group systems. Blood group data collected earlier from the Pradhan of Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh, the Parsi of Maharashtra, and the Mikir and Pnar of Meghalaya, were analyzed. Investigations on sickle cell trait, G6PD, enzyme deficiency, ABH secretion, and phynyl-thiocarbamide taste sensitivity were carried out.
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Five research teams were formed and deputed to work on the, genetical demography of small populations in Orissa, West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first round of field work on genetical demography has already been completed in Orissa and West Bengal. Field work has been in progress in Garo Hills and the Andaman Islands. Arrangements have been made for taking up the second round of investigations. Dermatoglyphic researches were conducted on the Parsi of Maharashtra, Dorla and Dhurwa of Bastar District (Madhya Pradesh), Nicobar Islanders, and some caste populations of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. The relationships between dermatoglyphic characters and digital anomalies and other abnormalities were examined. Finger and palm prints collected from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir were also analyzed.
A study of the pattern of growth and development was conducted among the Khasi boys and girls of Meghalaya. A report on the adolescent growth in both sexes, based on an extensive field study in Midnapore District (West Bengal), was completed. A report on the diet and body build of Lakshadweep Islanders was also completed. Anthropometric data of the Muslim and Parsi communities were statistically analyzed. Some data on bodyheight and bodyweight of the Indian people were furnished to the Finance Commission, New Delhi, as asked for by them. A number of research papers were prepared for presentation at the Xth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, and also at the Indian Science Congress. An exhibition of ancient human remains belonging to the period from 2300 B.C. to 300 B.C. approximately was organised at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on the occasion of the Xth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences.
Cultural Antharopology The Cultural Anthropology Wing of the Survey during the year 1978-79 completed the major All India Project on Tribal Customary Law. A total of 54 papers on different tribes were prepared by the research staff on the basis of field work, and a selected number of them were discussed in a seminar held at the headquarters from November 16 to 18, 1978. A volume is being edited in the light of the discussions.
Research workers of the Survey are continuing the analysis of the data on the All India Project "Culture Trait and Culture Area Survey". A workshop seminar on Indian nomads was orga-
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nized by the Survey at its Southern Regional office at Mysore in collaboration with the Indian Statistical Institute. Papers, on both biological and social aspects of the nomads were presented and discussed in the seminar. On completion of 25 years of the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Office at Port Blair, a seminar on the tribal problem of the region and an exhibition of ethnographic specimens were organized from the 21st to 24th April, 1978. Scholars belonging to different Institutions participated on the seminar. A special programme of publication was also taken up on this occasion.
The Survey has actively participated in the Xth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Science held at New Delhi from the 10th to 16th December, 1978. About 40 original research papers were contributed by the members of the Survey to the Plenary and Post-Plenary Sessions of the Congress. An exhibition of photographs and artefacts depicting the tribal life in India was arranged at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, during Xth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences.
Besides this, a total of 41 research papers including 16 on nomadic and tribal communities were completed.
The Survey is continuing research work on the following topics and projects : System of chieftainship in North East India; tribal politics in one selected area in Andhra; traditional political system in Central India; study of Gond Kingdom; society and culture of the people of Kulu; ethnographic study of the Tadvi Bhil; ethnographic study of the Cholanaiekens. Nicobarese, kondakapu, Garasia and Valmiki; Compilation of data and preparation of notes on tribal education; shifting cultivation among the tribes of South, Central and North India; analysis of data on Linguistic Trait Survey and personality structure of the Bhils; comparative studies on social structure and political system of the Gonds of Central India; editing of a volume on social and political institutions of the hill people, progress of research in Cultural Anthropology between 1971 and 1975, and a compendium on the Indian tribes. The Survey has also undertaken an All India project on Tribal Education to identify the problems of Education in the Tribal areas.
Psychology A seminar on psycho-social problems of selected tribes and ethnic groups was organized in August 1978 at the headquar-
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ters in which a number of research papers were presented and discussed. Eminent scholars from universities and other institutions participated at the Seminar.
Linguistic A seminar on linguistic traits was held at the headquarters on 28-29 August, 1978 at which eminent scholars from universities and other institutions participated.
Human Ecology The Survey sent a delegation to a conference held under the auspices of FAO in Bangkok from December 13 to 15, 1978 on the problem of shifting cultivation in collaboration with other developing countries of the South and Southeast Asia.
Besides, special studies on the ecological adaptation of the Onge of Little Andaman and of the ethnic groups of the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh have been initiated.
(iii) Museums Zonal museums were opened at Jagdalpur in April, 1978 and at Nagpur in September, 1978. On the occasion of inaugutation of the museum at Nagpur a seminar on tribal situation in Central India was held at the Regional Office in which a number of papers on different tribes of the region and their problems were presented and discussed.
(iv) Fellowship Programme Twenty three research fellows have been working on different problems in cultural and physical anthropology under the sponsorship of the Survey. The objective of this programme is to encourage original research in anthropology by scholars who have passed post- graduate courses in anthropology and allied sciences.
(v) Library More than 1000 books and a large number of periodicals on anthropology and allied sciences have been added to the Central and Regional libraries, of the Survey during the year.
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(Vi) Photography and Cinematography A photographic album on the tribes inhabiting different regions of the country is being prepared by the Survey depicting their life and culture.
The Survey participated in the meetings of the Commission on Visual Anthropology arranged during the Xth International Congress of Anthropology and Ethnological Sciences and arranged ethnographic film shows.
(vii) Publication During the period under review the Survey published three memoirs entitled "Culture Change in Two Garo Villages", "Metal Craftsman of India", "Impact of Industrialization on a Tribe in South Bihar", two bulletins, and four other memoirs on urbanization, ethnolinguistics and ethnography. In addition, information brochures in Hindi and English were published on the opening of Zonal Museums at Jagdalpur and Nagpur and Silver Jubilee celebration of the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Office at Port Blair.
A Directory of Anthropologists in India has been arranged for publication. The publication of this Survey were exhibited at Vigyan Bhawan during the Xth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, 1978.
(viii) School of Anthropology A nucleus of the school of Anthropology has been organised and necessary ground work has been prepared for commencement of the courses. A draft prospectus with aims, objectives, rules, regulations, nature and extent of the courses and other details have been prepared. Courses in Anthropology in different institutions and rules of allied institutions were consulted and reviewed. An outline of the academic sessions and literature and practical programmes of the courses and the organisation of three semesters were discussed and developed.