The species known as Ramapithecus was found in the
Siwalik foothills of the northwestern Himalayas. This
species believed to be the first in the line of hominids
lived some 14 million years ago. Researches have found
that a species resembling the Australopithecus lived
in India some 2 million years ago. Scientists have
so far not been able to account for an evolutionary
gap of as much as 12 million years since the appearance
of Ramapithecus. The people of India belong to different
ethnological stocks. According to Dr. B. S. Guha,
the population of India is derived from six main ethnic
groups:
(1) Negritos: The
Negritos or the brachycephalic (broad headed) from
Africa were the earliest people to inhabit India.
They are survived in their original habitat in the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Jarewas, Onges, Sentelenese
and Great Andamanis tribes are the examples. Studies
have indicated that the Onges tribes have been living
in the Andamans for the last 60,000 years. Some hill
tribes like Irulas, Kodars, Paniyans and Kurumbas
are found only in patches among the hills of south
India on the mainland.
(2) Pro-Australoids or Austrics:
This group was the next to come to India after the
Negritos. They represent a race of people, with wavy
hair plentifully distributed over their brown bodies,
long heads with low foreheads and prominent eye ridges,
noses with low and broad roots, thick jaws, large
palates and teeth and small chins. Austrics tribes,
which are spread over the whole of India, Myanmar
and the islands of South East Asia, are said to "form
the bedrock of the people". The Austrics were
the main builders of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
They cultivated rice and vegetables and made sugar
from sugarcane. Their language has survived in the
Kol or Munda (Mundari) in Eastern and Central India.
(3) Mongoloids: These people have
features that are common to those of the people of
Mongolia, China and Tibet. These tribal groups are
located in the Northeastern part of India in states
like Assam, Nagaland and Meghalya and also in Ladakh
and Sikkim. Generally, they are people of yellow complexion,
oblique eyes, high cheekbones, sparse hair and medium
height.
(4) Mediterranean or Dravidian:
This group came to India from the Southwest Asia and
appear to be people of the same stock as the peoples
of Asia Minor and Crete and the pre-Hellenic Aegeans
of Greece. They are reputed to have built up the city
civilization of the Indus Valley, whose remains have
been found at Mohenjodaro and Harappa and other Indus
cities. The Dravidians must have spread to the whole
of India, supplanting Austrics and Negritos alike.
Dravidians comprise all the three sub-types, Paleo-Mediterranean,
the true Mediterranean and Oriental Mediterranean.
This group constitutes the bulk of the scheduled castes
in the North India. This group has a sub-type called
Oriental group.
(5) Western Brachycephals: These
include the Alpinoids, Dinaries and Armenois. The
Coorgis and Parsis fall into this category.
(6) Nordics: Nordics or Indo-Aryans
are the last immigrants into India. Nordic Aryans
were a branch of Indo-Iranians, who had originally
left their homes in Central Asia, some 5000 years
ago, and had settled in Mesopotamia for some centuries.
The Aryans must have come into India between 2000
and 1500 B.C. Their first home in India was western
and northern Punjab, from where they spread to the
Valley of the Ganga and beyond. These tribes are now
mainly found in the Northwest and the Northwest Frontier
Province (NWFP). Many of these tribes belong to the
"upper castes".
Cate System in India:
Nowhere is caste better exemplified by degree of
complexity and systematic operation than in India.
The Indian term for caste is jati, which generally
designates a group varying in size from a handful
to many thousands. There are thousands of such jatis,
and each has its distinctive rules, customs, and modes
of government. The term varna (literally meaning “color”
) refers to the ancient and somewhat ideal fourfold
division of Hindu society:
(1) the Brahmans, the priestly and
learned class;
(2) the Kshatriyas, the warriors
and rulers;
(3) the Vaisyas, farmers and merchants;
and
(4) the Sudras, peasants and laborers.
These divisions may have corresponded to what were
formerly large, broad, undifferentiated social classes.
Below the category of Sudras were the untouchables,
or Panchamas (literally “fifth
division” ), who performed the most menial tasks.
Although there has been much confusion between the
two, jati and varna are different in origin as well
as function. The various castes in any given region
of India are hierarchically organized, with each caste
corresponding roughly to one or the other of the varna
categories. Traditionally, caste mobility has taken
the form of movement up or down the varna scale. Indian
castes are rigidly differentiated by rituals and beliefs
that pervade all thought and conduct. Extreme upper
and lower castes differ so widely in habits of everyday
life and worship that only the close intergrading
of intervening castes and the intercaste language
communities serve to hold them together within the
single framework of Indian society.
The explanation that Indian castes were originally
based on color lines to preserve the racial and cultural
purity of conquering groups is inadequate historically
to account for the physical and cultural variety of
such groups. Castes may reflect distinctiveness of
religious practice, occupation, locale, culture status,
or tribal affiliation, either exclusively or in part.
Divergence within a caste on any of these lines will
tend to produce fission that may, in time, result
in the formation of new castes. Every type of social
group as it appears may be fitted into this system
of organizing society.
The occupational barriers among Indian castes have
been breaking down slowly under economic pressures
since the 19th cent., but social distinctions have
been more persistent. Attitudes toward the untouchables
only began to change in the 1930s under the influence
of Mohandas Gandhi's teachings. Although untouchability
was declared illegal in 1949, resistance to change
has remained strong, especially in rural areas. As
increased industrialization produced new occupations
and new social and political functions evolved, the
caste system adapted and thus far has not been destroyed.
Major Tribes of India
Abhor
These tribes are found in Arunachal
Pradesh and Assam.
Abujmaria
Known variously as Abudjamadis, Abujmariya and
Hill Maria, these tribes are found in the geographically
inaccessible areas of Abujhmar Mountains and
Kutrumar Hills in the Bastar district of Madhya
Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called
Abujmaria. The Hill Maria tribes are considered
as a sub-group of the Gonds, who are historically
the most important group of original Indian
tribes. |
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Adivasika
These are forest dwellers found mainly in
Northern Kerala, near Calicut.
Adivasi Girasia
These tribes inhabit the Banaskantha and Sabarkantha
districts of Gujarat and are believed to be the descendants
of the Rajputs who married Bhil women. The name "Girasia"
refers to the Rajput and other landholders living
in the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions. Their language,
also known as Adivasi Girasia, is an Indo-Aryan language
belonging to the Bhil subgroup.
Adiyan
Also known as Eravas, these people are found
in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Ahirs
These people are the traditional dairymen
caste of Uttar Pradesh.
Aka
These tribes are found mainly in the Andaman Islands,
Arunachal Pradesh and also in parts of Assam. The
Aka people are so named for a black, sticky paint
they use on their faces. They used to speak Aka (now
an extinct language) on the Andaman Islands and Aka
Lel, a dialect of Nisi, in Assam. The Aka people in
Assam celebrate the Nechido Festival every year on
the first day of November.
Alars
Also known as Chathans or Chatans, these tribes are
found in the Kerala-Palghat region. They speak Alar
and Malayalam.
Amindivi
These tribes are found in Lakshadweep.
Amri Karib
Known by different names like Mikir, Manchati, Mikiri,
Karbi, these tribes are found in the Mikir and Rengma
Hills of Assam. They speak Amri, a dialect of Mikir.
Anal These tribes are found in Manipur.
Angami
These tribes are found in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
Ao The Ao tribe is found in the Mokokchung District
of Nagaland. The main festivals of the Aos are Moatsu
and Tsungremmong celebrated during the first week
of May and August, respectively.
Apatani
These tribes, also described as Apa, are found south
of the Tibetan border in the states of Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh and Nagaland. Their language is also known
as Apatani. These tribes are renowned for their cultivation,
especially the Terraced rice fields, which are located
along the sides of the valleys.
Arnatas
Also known as Aranadan and Eranadans, these tribes
are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. They
speak Aranatan and Malayalam.
Asurs
These tribes are found in Bihar and West Bengal.
Awadhi
Known by different names like Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi,
Baiswari, Kojali and Kosali, these people are found
in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
They speak in Awadhi, which is a dialect of Hindi.
Badaga
Also known as Badag, Badagu, Badugu and Vadagu, these
tribes are found in the Nilgiri and Kunda Hills of
Tamil Nadu. Their language is also called Badaga.
The name "Badaga", meaning "northerner,"
was given to this group during the Middle Ages when
they migrated from the Mysore plains to the Nilgiri
Hills in southern Tamil Nadu.
Bagri These tribes are found mainly in western India,
in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya
Pradesh. They are an Indo-Aryan people, and their
language is also called Bagri.
Bajania
These tribes are now found in Kachi Koli in Pakistan
and are known by other names like Kachi Koli, Kuchikoli,
Vaghri and Vagari. They speak Bajania, a dialect of
Koli.
Bakarwals These are the nomadic tribes of Kashmir
Baiga Known by names like Baigai, Bega and Bhumia,
these people are found in Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. Their language is
also known as Baiga.
Banchharas
These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh.
Bangni The Bangni (also known as the Dafla or the
Nishi) inhabit the hills of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Their native language, Nisi, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman
language family.
Bangri These tribes are located mainly in the states
of Haryana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab and Delhi. Their language, Bangaru, is a member
of the Indo-Aryan language family.
Banjaras
Known by different names in different places like
Lamani, Lambadi, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar-Herkeri,
Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Labhani Muka, Lambara, Lavani,
Lemadi, Lumadale, Sugali, Tanda, Vanjari, Waji, Gormati
and Singali, these tribes are mainly concentrated
in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kamataka,
Orissa and West Bengal. Their common language is Lamani.
Barda
These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Bavacha
These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Barel
The Barels are considered to be the sub-group of Bhils.
They speak Barel language.
Bathudi
The Bathudis live primarily in the districts of Mayurbhanj,
Kendujhargarh and Balasore in the state of Orissa.
Most Bathudis are bilingual, speaking their native
language, Bathudi and Oriya.
Bauria
The Baurias are also considered as a sub-group of
Bhils. Their language is also known as Bauria.
Beda
These tribes are found in Ladakh
Bedia
These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh
Bettakurubas
These tribes are found in Karnataka
Bhadrawahi
These tribes are located predominantly in Jammu and
Kashmir
Bhils
The Bhils are considered as the third largest and
most widely distributed tribal groups in India. The
name "Bhil" was probably derived from the
word villu or billu, which in most Dravidian languages
is the word for "bow." The bow has long
been a characteristic weapon of the Bhil because the
tribesmen always carry their bows and arrows with
them. The Bhil tribes inhabit some of the most remote
and inaccessible areas of India. There are two divisions
of Bhils: the Central or "pure" Bhils, and
the Eastern or Rajput Bhils. The Central Bhils live
in the mountain regions in the states of Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are known as the connecting
link between the Gujaratis and the Rajasthanis and
are one of the largest tribal communities of India.
They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language.
The Bhils are known to have fought against the Mughals,
Marathas and the British.
Bhilala
The Bhilala are located in several states in western
central Indian but mainly in the districts of Dhar,
Jhabua, and West Nimar of Madhya Pradesh. Their language,
also called Bhilala, is a sub-group of the Bhil language,
which belongs to the Indo-Aryan linguistic family.
The Bhilala are considered as nobility among the Bhil,
since they are the direct descendants of the Rajput
chiefs who took the daughters of the Bhil chieftains
to be their wives.
Bhim These are the tribes found mainly in the eastern
state of Tripura.
Bhinjwari
The Binjhwaris or the Binjhals, live in Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. Although their
native language is Binjhwari, many of these people
also speak Chhattisgarhi.
Bhotia
Known by names like Lahuli, Tinan, Lahauli, Rangloi
and Gondla, these tribes are found in Himalayan Mountain
ranges of Himachal Pradesh. They speak in Lahuli and
Tinan.
Bhutia These are Buddhists tribes found in Assam,
along the border with Tibet and in Nepal. They are
also known by the names Lhasa, Dalai, Pohbetian and
Tebilian. They speak Tibetan.
Birhor
These tribes are found in the Hazaribagh, Singbhum
and Ranchi districts of Bihar and parts of Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and West Bengal.
Bison Horn Maria These are a small tribal group located
mainly in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and also
in parts of Madhya Pradesh. The designation "Bison
Horn Maria" is derived from a distinctive headdress
worn at marriage dances and adorned with the horns
of now extinct wild bison. Many scholars believe that
the Bison Horn Maria is part of the Gond tribe, while
others consider them to be an earlier indigenous tribe
assimilated by the Gonds.
Bombas These are the Nomads inhabiting the rugged
hills of Kashmir.
Boro
(Bodo) These tribes are found in Assam.
Braj Bhakha
These tribes are located mainly in the states of Bihar,
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Their language,
Braj Bhasha, is a member of the Indo-Aryan language
family.
Bunde Soligas
These tribes are found in Karnataka.
Chakmas
Also known as Takam, these tribes are found in Assam,
Meghalya, Tripura, West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh.
They speak Chakma language.
Chamars
These tribes are known by different names like Chamari,
Chambhar Boli and Chambhari. These are found in the
States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Their language is known as Chamari.
Chameali Pahari
The Chameali Pahari tribes are primarily
located in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu &
Kashmir.
Changs These tribes are found in the Tuensang District
of Nagaland.
Chang-Pas
These are the tribes found in the northern upland
valleys of the Indus River in Jammu & Kashmir.
They speak in Tibetan dialect.
Charan
These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Chekhasang Chekhasang and Pouchry Tribes are found
in the Phek District of Nagaland. Chakhesang culture
and customs are quite different from the other Naga
tribes. There are evidences of the existence of head-hunting
among the villagers in the ancient days.
Chenchus Known variously as Chenchucoolam, Chenchwar,
Chenswar and Choncharu,
these tribes are found primarily in the state of Andhra
Pradesh and also in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Orissa. Their native language (also called Chenchus)
belongs to the Dravidian language family. Many also
speak Telugu.
Cheros These tribes, which claim to be the descendants
of the Rajputs, are found in Bihar, Orissa, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal and are primarily concentrated
in Palamau, Shahabad, Champaran, and other surrounding
districts. The Chero speak a language that is also
called Chero.
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