Economic Alterations of the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This writing explores the economic profile of the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal in the twentieth century. The majority of people of this community inhabited villages and basically, they are agriculturists. So, agriculture is their main source of income. Except for agriculture they engaged in small-scale industries like Dhokra Industry which is made of Jute that is also part of agriculture. Due to available of jute they encouraged into Dhokra Industry. Trade and commerce are not so effective in their economic development but some of them engage similarly. Labouring is their second-highest source of income. The majority of people in this community earn money from labouring. But the present scenario is different from the past. Their source of income transforms into different sectors, agricultural labour transforms into various sectors like Masonry, Carpentry, Tea Garden labour, urban day labourer, etc., and at present their economic life is better than the past.