Historical Elements (4): Tribal Legends

Some information about ancient India can be derived from tribal legends as well. How-ever in estimating the value of tribal legends for purposes of history it is desirable to enquire whether the legends are uniform or multiform, whether any trace of modification is discernible since they were first reported, and whether they are generally accepted as true by the tribe. It is also necessary to scrutinize carefully the qualifications of those who reported them, to inquire how far they were competent to understand with precision the language of their informants, avoid the danger of voluntary suggestion and to receive the impression like a photo-graphic plate without preconception or bias. If the records of the tradition of a tribe can stand these tests, they obviously possess great value. If they fail, their value is diminished or entirely disappears. Tribal legends are of great value in constructing the history of Karkakhanda (Chhota Nagpur) although no separate literature on the tribal legends exists.