Rajnats of Rajasthan and the Sex Work: An Ethnographic Study

Rajnat community of Rajasthan was a nomadic tribe (now included in the category of Scheduled Castes), who previously engaged themselves as singers, dancers, street players and the entertainers of kings, zamindars and their subjects. However, after the dissolution of monarchy in Rajasthan and the collapse of zamindari system, Rajnats were left landless and jobless but later embraced commercial sex work. This resulted in the vulnerability, deprivation and marginalization of Rajnats. Girls are compelled and sent for bar dance to Mumbai and other cities at the tender age of 15–16 years. They are not allowed to study more than 8th class as they may change their minds for not adopting this occupation of sex work. Rajnat community is found in some villages of Rajasthan which are adjacent to the highways as this accessibility attracts the easy flow of customers to the villages. Women and girls in this community are vulnerable and mere victims of this traditional practice. Experience of physical and verbal violence is causal in this community which affects the women and children the most. Rajnats are leading a socially isolated life with a set of peculiar characteristics. The present study was conducted in the Bandarsindri village of Ajmer district in Rajasthan. The data for the study was generated through ethnographic fieldwork. This article focuses on the historical background, current status and contemporary problems faced by the Rajnat community. The study highlights the peculiar sociocultural characteristics, life and lifestyle of Rajnat community. Intergenerational transfer of ill-being is visible from the present state of the community.