The term "Nat" has two primary contexts: it is the Sanskrit root (Naṭ) meaning "to dance" or "to act," which is the basis for the concept of Natya (drama) in Indian classical arts. More significantly in Indian polity and society, it refers to a marginalized community or caste, primarily found in North Indian states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. This is a social and historical concept concerning a community, often classified as a Denotified Tribe (DNT) or Scheduled Caste (SC) in different regions.
Historically, the Nat were a nomadic group of entertainers, known for acrobatics, rope-walking, and dance. Their systemic marginalization began with the enactment of the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871, which branded them as "hereditary criminals". This act fundamentally stigmatized their traditional occupation and social identity. The CTA was repealed in 1952, and the community was reclassified as a Denotified Tribe.
The mechanism of their current struggle is the persistence of this colonial-era criminal stigma and social exclusion, which limits their access to resources, education, and employment. This exclusion has contributed to economic vulnerability, forcing many into alternative livelihoods. The Nat community's history is intrinsically linked to the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, and the subsequent category of Denotified Tribes (DNTs). While the legal status changed with the repeal of the CTA in 1952, the social stigma and discrimination have largely stayed the same, continuing to affect their socio-economic status.