Can Bull Med Hist. 2002 ; 19(2): 477-91.

Negotiating with Dharma Pinnu: towards a social history of smallpox in colonial Orissa.

Pati B.

Asia Research Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science. biswamoypati@hotmail.com

This paper explores the social complexities associated with the history of smallpox in colonial Orissa in Eastern India. It focuses on tribal communities while taking into account their interactions with non-tribal communities and colonialism. This research grapples with the phenomenon of of the Hinduisation of tribes and the way this implies an acceptance as well as a rejection of the various aspects of non-tribal, Hindu society. Thus, I examine the specific elements of non-tribal groups inoculation, black magic, and subversive cults, demonstrating the close affinities some of these features have with tribal communities.