Rajbanshi Ethnic Group: Insight on Socioeconomic, Socio-cultural, and Educational Status

Abstract

The Rajbanshi are the indigenous ethnic people of eastern terai who have been systematically marginalized
from the socioeconomic, cultural, administrative, and political mainstream of the country. Thus, a study was
undertaken to study the socioeconomic, socio-cultural, and educational status of the Rajbanshi community
of Gauradaha Municipality, Jhapa. The study followed cross sectional convergent parallel mix method.
Hundred samples were taken by a random sampling technique, where both quantitative and qualitative data
were taken. The study showed that 93% of household head were male and 52% household head (HH) were
of age group 41–50 years. Similarly, 56% HH had secondary level education. Most respondents (78%)
lived in a nuclear family where 66% HH were unemployed. The study also revealed that 68% people had
1–3 bigha of land. Paddy (rainy) and cow were the major crops and livestock reared by the households. The
annual income of 51% respondent was 1–2 lakhs and only 32% had savings. Only 78% people had access to
the internet and the majority used it for communication. Rajbanshi is the major language spoken and most
people wear cultural dress in festivals only. The advancement of modernization and the spread of Western
culture may threaten the preservation of their unique cultural identity.