Sanskritization has become a significant movement among the tribals, particularly of central India. Bhagat movements have been reported from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The sanskritization is sometimes also called the Bhagat movement. The tribals find solutions to their problems in the acceptance of the lifestyle, ideas, values and beliefs of the higher castes.
Those who convert to this new life are known as Bhagats. David Hardiman argues that religiosity had a profound bearing on the state of consciousness of the adivasis.
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“It provides them with a practical code of political ethics to resist and struggle against their exploitation.” Stephen Fuchs informs that “persons of low social status are pleased when they are treated with respect by the people of higher status”.
Ghanshyam Shah has reviewed the ethnic movements among the tribals. He observes:
These movements raised their aspirations and provided a sense of solidarity which enabled them, in some cases, to fight against their exploiters.
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In some areas like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, social reform movements led tribals to participate in the nationalist movement against British rule. In Rajasthan, the Bhagat movement was also aimed at raising the political objective of creating an independent kingdom of the Bhil.