Changing Pattern of Dacoity in Chambal Valley a Sociological Study

Abstract

The problem of dacoity is not new to our country. There are several references of dasyues in ancient Indian literature. Stray instances of dacoity occurred in almost all the period of Indian history and in all parts of the country. However, the way organized banditry has been widely practiced for over centuries is peculiar to central India especially Chambal valley alone. newline newlineThere are various forms of violent and organized crime. Dacoity, too, is also a kind of the same, which is quite common in India especially in central India, where a large number of organized gangs of dreaded desperadoes have operated for centuries. Discrete cases of robbery can be seen almost everywhere even now, but the continued existence and operation of a large number of gangs disrupting and paralyzing the entire civil life is a phenomenon peculiar to central India alone. In spite of stringent measures taken continuously since the beginning of British rule, dacoity has not yet been eradicated. The existence of the system of dacoity as such is governed by some general laws related to the general structure of society. newline newlineThe main aim of the study is to prove that dacoity is not a problem in Chambal. It s a profession- a business that needs no investment. Except a gun, may be. Gangs began to get organized, and kidnapping for ransom, rather than looting, was the new favoured activity. The present is an attempt to investigate the nature and type of people who generally take up the profession of dacoity by going details into the causative factors or into the etiological considerations of the dacoity system. The present study also emphasizes on remedial measures to cope up the menace of dacoity and expedite the rehabilitation programme.