Political Organization of Todas: Convergence of Modernity and Traditional System

Political organizations play very important role in social control and maintaining law and order in the society. However, the form of political organization is different in both simple and complex societies. The present paper applying anthropological methods of field work, endeavors to present an anthropological discourse to understand the political organizations of the Todas who are one of the PVTGs (particularly vulnerable tribal group) residing in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu with special reference to the Toda Munds in Udagmandalam (popularly known as ‘Ooty ’. The Todas are facing impacts of globalization. Also, they are trying to preserve their ethnic identity. Several development schemes are being introduced for the welfare of the Todas. In this backdrop, the paper also attempts to discuss the changes arising in the Toda political organizations after the 100 years of the study of W.H.R. Rivers.