What was the mindset of the colonial state in the context of the Criminal Tribes Act?

Correct answer: Treating nomadic communities as inherently suspicious and keeping them under surveillance and control

Under the Criminal Tribes Act, the colonial government assumed that certain nomadic and pastoral communities were criminal by birth. Their movement, residence, and activities were controlled through registration and surveillance. Option B is the opposite of this policy because the Act restricted, rather than protected, freedom of movement. Exam tip: remember this Act as an example of colonial suspicion and surveillance of mobile communities.