Generally, insights into indigenous communities is obscure and mystifying, for the reason that they are often believed to be a deprived section of society. In the era of development, it becomes important to re-examine the socio-cultural milieu of an indigenous community to highlight and validate the important theories and impressions that go with the evolution of indigeneity in the context of bio-geophysical, historic, and socio-cultural context. As far as the Indian indigenous communities in general and Himalayan Communities in particular are concerned, one needs to reconsider them in terms of social exclusion.

The inhabitants living in the extremities of cold deserts are believed to be the primogenital inhabitants of Trans-Himalaya, who have witnessed diverse mediators of change. In this book, the nature and course of metamorphosis in an indigenous community is assessed in the light of the past, to portray a chronology of transition from primitive cultural backgrounds to the contemporary era. It gives an idea about the indigenous Trans-Himalayan society not only in terms of antiquity but also in terms of modernity and interface with urban society, which mobilized them from the conservative realm to the present-day world. The impact of the developmental activities in view of cultural change is discussed in depth. The theories and models of transition, social change, and acculturation are discussed to discern as to how the trans-Himalayan communities transformed and in which direction. The book analyzes this socio-cultural or structural change and brings into the limelight different aspects of social change. It rationally examines the theoretical process and unveils the veracities and concerns challenging the indigenous communities in the present-day world.