Acculturation among Bhil Migrants in Bhopal District: Identity, Adaptation, and Urban Integration

Abstract

This study explores the acculturation process among the Bhil tribal migrants in the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh using both secondary data and a pilot primary study. It investigates socio-cultural adaptations, identity negotiations, and challenges faced by Bhil students in urban environments. A structured questionnaire was administered to Bhil migrant students at SAGE University, Bhopal. The findings were analyzed using SPSS (for quantitative responses) and thematic analysis (for qualitative responses). Supplemented with secondary sources such as government reports, scholarly articles, and census data, this research offers a comprehensive view of how Bhil migrants navigate urbanization, maintain cultural identity, and experience selective acculturation. The study contributes original insights into tribal acculturation within urban India and serves as a foundation for larger, evidence-based policy discussions.