Isolation: 

• The isolationist side argued that tribals needed protection from traders, moneylenders and Hindu and Christain missionaries, all of whom were intent on reducing tribals to detribalised landless labour. 

 Integration- 

• This side argued that tribes were essentially backward Hindus and their problems had to be addressed within the same framework as other backward classes. 
• This led to debates and deliberations which resulted in various welfare schemes for the tribes such as tribal welfare blocks, five year plans, tribal sub-plans, tribal welfare blocks, special multipurpose area schemes. Thus, tribes needed to be looked at in the same framework as the Hindus. This is because there have been various instances where tribes, since times immemorial, have been in contact with the mainstream. 
• Gond kingdoms in central India such as that of Garha Mandia or Chanda. 
• Many of the Rajput kingdoms of central and western India emerged through a process of stratification among adivasi communities themselves. 
• Adivasis often exercised dominance over the plains people through their capacity to raid them and through their services as local militias. 
• They also occupied a special trade niche, trading forest produce, salts and elephants. 
• The capitalist economy’s drive to exploit forest resources and minerals and to recruit cheap labour has brought tribal societies in contact with mainstream society a long time ago. 
• But integration in this manner neglects the desires and wishes of the tribes and puts the agenda of development ahead of their needs. Thus, this kind of integration happens at the cost of the interest of the tribes.