Marginalized Labour categories and historical injustices: Some perspectives & insights on the marginalization of forest-dependent communities and the historical injustices perpetrated on them

Taungyas, the ‘manufactured community’ of Indian communities, forest-dependent were the first captive/bonded labouring force in the country, who regrew/replanted large swathes of what we see as standing forests today. Their labour was fully appropriated by the Empire as they were not paid any wages for this humongous work. The untold story of the Taungyas is, unfortunately, one of the best-hidden marginalization stories of and historical injustice in India. For all of us seeking to undo historical injustices on ground, the liberation of the Taungya community – tucked away mostly unknown in forest villages, mostly without records – is not only about recognizing the unparalleled value of the ecological restoration work they were made to do forcibly, but also about seeing them re-transform into citizens of the country with equal rights from this state of utter bondage and slavery.