tribes in india
Semester: 2
Department: English
Course: SOCG
Paper: GE2
Page 1 of 10 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Ma'am Trisha Saha
for her invaluable guidance and support throughout this endeavour. Her insightful feedback
and constructive criticism have significantly enriched my understanding of the subject matter.
I am deeply grateful for the time and effort Ma'am Trisha Saha has invested in mentoring me.
Her patience, encouragement, and willingness to share her expertise have been truly inspiring,
motivating me to strive for excellence in my academic pursuits. Her mentorship has been a true
blessing, and I am privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from her.
Page 2 of 10 Contents: Page No.:
Biodata 1
Acknowledgement 2
Contents 3
Introduction 4
Conclusion 9
Reference 10
Page 3 of 10 Introduction
Can any other nation rival India's astounding assortment of ethnic groups, cultural
patterns, and ways of life? The Anthropological Survey of India's People of India Project has
meticulously identified an astonishing 461 tribal communities, with an additional 174 sub-
groups, residing within its borders. According to the 1991 Census, these tribes collectively
The administration has grappled with the elusive task of defining tribes for an extended
period. Anthropologists and sociologists, in their pursuit, have ventured into diverse avenues
to establish suitable definitions. For instance, W.J. Perry posits tribes as a group speaking a
common dialect and inhabiting a common territory. Bogardus defines tribes as a tribal group
based on the need for protection, on ties of blood relationships and on the strength of a common
religion. D.N. Majumder defines a tribe as a collection of families on group of families bearing
a common name members of which occupy the same territory, speak the same language and
observe certain taboos regarding marriage, profession or occupation and have developed a well
a tribe as a social group usually with a social area, dialect, cultural homogeneity and unifying
social organisation.
Various authors have assigned significance to different aspects and characteristics when
embraced definition for this term. The International Labour Organisation in its Reports of 1953
stated that, "There can be no standard which can apply to all indigenous or aboriginal groups
Page 4 of 10 Main Essay: Tribes in India are a heterogeneous entity which cannot
cultural groups. Among these, the tribes of India occupy a significant place. The tribes of India
are characterized by their unique traditions, languages, customs, and socioeconomic structures,
making them a vibrant and multifaceted tapestry within the larger Indian society. It can be said
that tribes in India constitute a remarkably diverse and heterogeneous entity, defying any
attempt to categorize them under a single, all-encompassing definition. This essay aims to
elaborate on the statement, showcasing the diversity of tribes in India through examples and
categorizing tribes in India. The tribes in India are dispersed across various regions,
ranging from the northernmost Himalayan belts to the southern peninsular regions,
from the north-eastern states to the central and western deserts. L.P. Vidyarthi has put
distribution which included the following: the Himalayan region, Middle India, Western
India, South India and the Islands. Each region has its distinct tribal communities with
their specific customs, beliefs, and practices. For instance, the Bodo and Mishing tribes
of Assam, the Bhil tribe of Rajasthan, the Gonds of central India, and the Santhal tribe
of Jharkhand and the Sentinelese of the Andaman Islands are just a few examples of the
diverse tribal groups found across the country. This geographical distribution
showcases the rich cultural diversity of India, as tribes thrive in the mountains, forests,
plains, and coastal areas, adapting to and shaping their environments over generations.
Page 5 of 10 The linguistic diversity among the tribes of India is immense, reflecting the varied array
of languages spoken across the country. Tribes in India belong to various language
families, with each community often having its unique dialect or language. For instance,
the Irula tribe in Tamil Nadu and the Toda tribe in Nilgiri Hills speak Dravidian
languages, which include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada etc. Tribes in the northeastern states,
such as the Naga, Mizo, and Kuki, speak Tibeto-Burman languages. These languages
are part of a larger language family that extends beyond India into neighboring
countries like Nepal, Bhutan, etc. The Santhal tribe in Jharkhand, the Khasi tribe in
Meghalaya, and the Mundari-speaking tribes in Orissa are examples of tribes speaking
Austroasiatic languages. Some tribes like the Bhil tribe in Rajasthan and Gujarat speaks
Bhili, a language belonging to the Indo-Aryan language family. The tribes inhabiting
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, such as the Jarawa and Sentinelese, speak unique
The tribes of India exhibit a remarkable racial diversity, with distinct physical
characteristics and genetic lineages. The racial diversity among Indian tribes reflects
the complex historical migrations, interactions, and adaptations that have shaped the
tribes of a region. For instance, the tribes of middle India like the Mundas, Oraons,
Gonds, etc. belong to the Proto-Australoid stock characterized by dark skin colour,
short to medium stature, low forehead, sunken nose, dark complexion, and curly hair.
The Irulas, Todas etc. of South India exhibit Dravidian features including dark skin
tones, wavy or curly hair, and varying facial features. The tribes, Onge, and Sentinelese
of the islands and Siddis who migrated from the African shores belong to the Negrito
group with distinctive physical attributes like dark skin, tightly curled hair, and short
stature. Tribes in the northeastern states, such as the Naga, Mizo, and Bodo, display
Page 6 of 10 Mongoloid features such as epicanthal folds, straight hair, and yellowish skin tones and
flat nose.
various subsistence patterns and livelihoods. Their economic activities are shaped by
While some tribes, like the Jarawa and Sentinelese of the Andaman Islands, continue to
fruits, and roots for their sustenance, the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh practices
terrace farming and cultivates crops such as rice, millets, and vegetables. The Bhil tribe
in Rajasthan and Gujarat also engages in agriculture, growing crops like maize, wheat,
and pulses. The Rabaris in Gujarat and the Gaddis in Himachal Pradesh, are pastoralists
who rear livestock for their livelihood. Tribes inhabiting forested regions, such as the
Kondhs and Savaras engage in activities like collecting forest produce, traditional
medicine, and handicrafts for subsistence and trade. Several tribes have a long tradition
of craftsmanship and artisanal skills. The Asurs of Bihar are engaged in iron smelting;
the Birhors are engaged in rope making and the Kotas are potters. It is also evident that
The tribes of India exhibit a rich multiplicity of religious and spiritual beliefs, reflecting
the diverse cultural heritage and practices within their communities. These belief
systems are deeply intertwined with their languages, traditions, and ways of life. Many
tribes in India follow animistic belief systems, where they worship natural elements,
spirits, and ancestors. The Warli tribe in Maharashtra practices animism and holds
rituals to honour spirits of trees, mountains, and animals. Some tribes have their
indigenous religions that blend elements of animism, ancestor worship, and local
Page 7 of 10 deities. The Santhal tribe in Jharkhand and West Bengal follows the Sarna religion,
centered around the worship of spirits and deities associated with nature and community
well-being. Several tribes have adopted syncretic religious practices that combine
elements of indigenous beliefs with mainstream religions. The Bhil tribe, for instance,
practices a blend of Hinduism with their own indigenous rituals and beliefs.
These aforementioned characteristics are but a glimpse into the multifaceted traits exhibited by
the tribes of India, contributing to the intricate fabric of cultural diversity found within the
Indian subcontinent.
Page 8 of 10 Conclusion
We often neglect to question the underlying reasons for the current state of affairs
among tribes, overlooking the complex factors that shape their prevalent diversity. Migration,
historical invasions, and large-scale projects like the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam
serve as prime examples. The eviction of approximately 250,000 tribes from their ancestral
lands during the dam's construction compelled their migration to different regions, ultimately
leading to the classification of tribes based on their geographical locations which we study
today as students of Sociology. This geographic dispersion, in turn, influenced their language
and spiritual beliefs over time. Moreover, the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape continues
to impact their socioeconomic status. Thus, it is through these interconnected dynamics that
the diverse tapestry of tribal communities in India is woven. Hence, within the intrinsic fabric
of India's tribal communities, one undeniable truth emerges: tribes are a heterogeneous entity
that resists simplistic definition. Their diverse languages, cultural practices, socioeconomic
Attempting to club them under a single definition would be akin to reducing a vibrant rainbow
a deeper understanding of their rich heritage, promoting inclusivity, and preserving the
Page 9 of 10 Reference:
https://tribal.nic.in/Content/ScheduledTribes/scheduled_tribes_of_india.aspx
California Press.
Ghurye, G. S. (1959). The Scheduled Tribes. The Popular Press Private Ltd.
Dictionary of anthropology.
http://www.anthrobase.com/Dic/eng/
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