Sunday, November 22, 2009

INDIAN LANGUAGES

INDIAN LANGUAGES

The languages spoken in India belong to the four main families of (a) Austric (Nishada), (b) Dravidian (Dravida), (c) Sino-Tibetan (Kirata), and (d) Indo-European (Aryan).

There are more than 180 languages spoken by different sections of India. Of these, 90 odd are spoken by less than 10,000 persons each and 20 odd languages together account for 97 per cent of the total population of the country. About a dozen major languages constitute the principal linguistic regions. These languages are Kashmiri, Punjabi, Hindi, Bangia, Assamese, Oriya, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. These twelve linguistic regions generally correspond with the states of the Indian Union. But the state boundaries do not always correspond with the linguistic boundaries. In fact, the linguistic bound­ary in itself is not a line but a zone of transition over which one language gradually loses its dominance and gives way to the other.

The four language families of India are discussed below.
1. Austric Family (Nishada) Spoken by 1.38 per cent of total Indian population, this family includes mainly tribal languages and dialects of the central tribal belt, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal. The Austric languages are spoken by 6.2 million people in India. The largest single group is that of Santhali speakers, who alone account for more than half of this total.

2. Sino-Tibetan Family (Kirata) T};\e languages and dialects of this group are spoken by the tribal groups of the north-east and of the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan region of the north and north-west, and account for 0.85 per cent of Indian population. Major languages of this group are Tibetan, Balti, Ladakhi, Lahuli, Sherpa, Sikkim Bhutia, Chamba, Kanauri, Lepcha of the Tibeto-Himalayan region; Aka, Dafla, Abor, Miri, Mishmi and Mishing of north-Assam or the Arunachal region; Bodo/Boro, Naga, Kachin, Kukichin, Manipuri, Garo, Tripuri, Mikir and Lushai of the Assam-Myanmarese branch.

3. Dravidian Family (Dravida) Of the total population of India, 20 per cent speak languages and dialects belong­ing to the Dravidian family. Languages of this family are concentrated in the plateau region and the adjoining coastal plains. Telugu is spoken in Andhra Pradesh; Tamil in Tamil Nadu; Kannada in Karnataka and Malayalam in Kerala. Some tribal groups also speak Dravidian languages like Gonds and Oraons. Some minor languages and dialects belonging to the Dravidian family are Tulu, Kurgi, Yerukala, Kui, Parji and Khond. The Dravidian languages are less diverse than the other language families of India. The major language groups such as Tamil, Telugu, Kahnada and Malayalam themselves account for more than 90 per cent of the total population of the Dravidian speakers.

4. Indo-Aryan Family (Aryan) Nearly 73 per cent of the Indian population speaks languages and dialects of this family. Although these languages are mainly concentrated in the plains of India, their domain extends over the peninsular plateau also, reaching as far south as the Konkan coast.

The central part of this region has Hindi as the principal language. Hindi is spoken by the majority of people in India. Hindi is spoken in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. A major concentration of the Urdu speakers is found in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Kachchhi and Sindhi are mainly concentrated in western India. Marathi is the most important language of the southern group of the Indo-Aryan family. The languages of the eastern group include Oriya, Bangia and Assamese. The languages of the central group are confined to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Himalayan and silb­Himalayan areas are inhabited by speakers of the various forms of Pahari and Nepali which belong to the 110rthern group of the Indo-Aryan languages.

India has 22 officially recognised languages. Hindi speaking people are numerically the largest in India. Bengali is the second largest linguistic unit followed by Telugu, as per the 2001 Census. (See" tabl'e for details).

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

Language is a form of communication through the use of speech, a collection of sounds that are understood by a group of people to have the same meaning. A collection of languages related to each other because of having a common ancestor is known as a language family. An individual language may have several dialects, i.e., forms spoken in different areas. According to linguists, languages can be classified into three basic types according to their structure. These are (a) mOl1osyllabic, where words aSSllme different meanings depending on their position in the sentence, as in Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Tibetan; (b)agglutinative, where prefixes and suffixes can alter words, as in Malay, Japanese and many African languages; and (c) inflexional, where flexibility marks the words and they
can be modified to give the required meaning, as in, English, French and other Indo-European languages in­cluding Urdu, Bengali and Hindi.
Indo-European languages are spoken by nearly half of the people in the world. To this group belong the Germanic, Romanic, Balto-Slavic and the Indo-Aryan branches. Sind­Tibetan is another language family. Basque is the only
language to survive in Europe from the period prior to the . Indo-European onslaught. Uralic and Altaic language fami­lies are also prevalent in Europe and Asia. Finnish and Hungarian are Uralic languages.
Africa has a large number of languages-as many as 1000. In the northern region Arabic is used. In the south linguists have classified the languages into three main families-Niger.-Congo, Khoisan and Nilo-Saharan.

Percentage of Child Population in the Age Group 0-6 to Total Population

Percentage of Child Population in the Age Group 0-6 to Total Population-

At the national level among all religions, the proportion of child population stands at 15.9 per cent in 2001 Census. Muslim population records the highest proportion of population in the age group 0-6 at 18.7 per cent followed by 'Other Religions and Persuasions' (18.0 per cent). The lowest proportion of population in this age group is seen among Jains at 10.6 per cent preceded by Sikhs at 12.8 per cent. In fact, barring the Muslims and 'Other Religions and Persuasions', remaining religious communities have returned lower proportion in this age group as compared to the national average.

RELIGIOUS GROUPS OF INDIA

RELIGIOUS GROUPS OF INDIA

According to Census 2001, at the national level, of 1028 million population, 828 million (80.5 per cent) have returned their religion as Hindus followed by 138 million (13.4 per cent) as Muslims and 24 million (2.3 per cent) Christians. 19 million (1.9 per cent) persons follow Sikh religion; 8 million; (0.8 per cent) are Buddhists and 4.2 million (0.4 per cent) are Jains as per the 2001 Census. In addition to these, 6.6 million belong to 'Other Religions and Persuasions' including tribal reli­gions which are not part of the six main religions stated above. About seven lakh (or 0.7 million) persons have not stated their religion.
The adjusted growth rate of Hindu population has come down from 22.8 per cent in 1981-91 to 20.0 per cent in 1991-2001. Similar trends are observed among Buddhists which declined from 36.0 per cent in 1981-1991 to 23.2 per cent during 1991-2001. If adjusted data is considered, the Muslim growth rate will decline from 32.9 per cent during 1981-91 to 29.3 per cent during 1991-2001, while for Christians it would increase from 17.0 per cent to 22.1 per cent during 1991-2001. In addition, Jain population also has registered growth rate of 26.0 per cent against very-low growth rate of 4.6 per cent during 1981-1991. Abnormally low population growth of Jains in the last decade appears to be an aberration when compared with the previous decades. Overall adjusted growth rate among the 'Other Religion and Persuasions' has been very high during 1991­2001 Census at 113.1 per cent followed by 'Religion Not Stated' (75.1 per cent). In brief, emergence of 'Other Religions and Persuasions' is one of the key findings of Census 2001.

The Parsi population deserves an exceptional but definite mention due to their very small numbers not only in India but also in the world. As per 2001 census the Parsi population in the country is 69,601 (33,949 males and 35,652 females) as against their population of 76,382 (37,736 males and 38,646 females) in the 1991 census. This is a clear visible but extremely unfortunate decline of a rich civilisation of Zoroastrians and its people. It is apparent from 2001 census results that urgent and drastic interventions are required by all concerned including possibly by the government and­ definitely the Parsi community leaders to ensure survival of Parsi population in India. Fertility improvement inno­vative initiatives rather than fertility control measures adopted by the community so far are possibly the need of the hour before it reaches a point of no return.

Religion

RELIGION

The origin of religion probably lay in the human response to environment and natural phenomena. A need was felt to propitiate spirits controlling the weather or the movements of animals. Many people still have such ani­mistic beliefs. Complex dogmatic religions grew up later. These included among their precepts correct modes of conduct.
Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Christianity and Islam are major religions of the world. A brief survey of the origin and philosophy of major religions of the world has been given in the General Knowledge Review Section of the book. Christianity has the largest followers, followed by Islam, Hinduism, Bud­dhism, Tribalism or animism, atheism, Sikkism, Taoism, Judaism, Baha'esm, Confucianism, Jainism, Shintoism and Zoroastrianism in that order.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Scheduled Tribes : Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and other states

Uttaranchal
1. Bhotia
2. Buksa
3. Jannsari
4. Raji
5. Thar

Uttar Pradesh

(Most of these tribes are now in Uttaranchal.)
1. Bhotia
2. Buksa
3. Jannsari
4. Raji
.5. Tharu
6. Gond, Dhuria, Nayak, Ojha, Pathari, Raj Gond (in the districts of Mehrajganj, Sidharth Nagar, Basti, Gorarkhpur, Deoria, Mau, Azamgarh, Jonpur, Balia,
Gazipur, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra)
7. Kharwar, Khairwar (in the districtis of Deoria, Balia, Ghazipur, Varanasi and Sonbhadra)
8. Saharya (in the district of Lalitpur) 9. Parahiya (in the district of Sonbhadra)
10. Balga (in the district of Sonbhadra) 11. Pankha, Panika (in the districts of
Sonbhadra and Mirzapur)
12. Agariya (in the district of Sonbhadra) 13. Patari (in the district of Sonbhadra) 14. Chero (in the districts of Sonbhadra
and Varanasi)
15. Bhuiya, Bhuinya (in the district of
Sonbhadra)

West Bengal
1. Asur
2. Baiga
3. Bedia, Bediya
4. Bhumij
5. Bhutia, Sherpa, Toto, Dukpa, Kagatay,
Tibetan, Volmo
6. Birhor
7. Birjia
8. Chakma
9. Chero
10. Chik Baraik
11. Garo
12. Gond
13. Gorait
14. Hajang
15. Ho
16. Karmali
17. Kharwar
18. Khond
19. Kisan.
20. Kora
21. Korwa
22. Lepcha
23. Lodha, Kheria, Kharia
24. Lohara, Lohra
25. Magh
26. Mahali
27. Mahli
28. Mal Pahariya
29. Mech
30. Mru
31. Munda
32. Nagesia
33. Oraon
34. Parhaiya
35. Rabha
36. Santal
37. Sauria Paharia
38. Savar
39. Limbu (Subba)
40. Tamang


Andaman and Nlcobar Islands

1. Andamanese, Chariar, Chari, Kora, Tabo, Bo, Yere, Kede, Bea, Balawa, Bojigiyab, Juwai, Kol
2. Jarawas
3. Nicobarese
4. Onges
5. Sentinelese
6. Shom Pens
28. Dadra and Nagar Havel! 1. Dhodia
2. Dubla including Halpati
3. Kathodi
4. Kokna
5. Koli Dhor including Kolgha 6. Naikda or Nayaka
7. Varli
29. Daman and Diu 1. Dhodia
2. Dubla (Halpati) 3. Naikda (Talavia) 4. Siddi (Nayaka) 5. Varli
30. Lakshadweep
Throughout the Union Territory:
Inhabitants of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands who, and both of whose parents, were born in those islands.

Scheduled Tribes : Tamil NAdu & Tripura

Tamil Nadu
1. Adiyan
2. Aranadan
3. Eravallan
4. Irular
5. Kadar
6. Kammara (excluding Kanya-kumari
district and Shenkottah taluk of Tirunelveli district)
7. Kanikaran, Kanikkar (in Kanyakumari district and Shenkottah and Ambasamudram taluks of Tirunelveli district)
8. Kaniyan, Kanyan
9. Kattunayakan
10. Kochu Velan
11. Konda Kapus
12. Kondareddis
13. Koraga
14. Kota (excuding Kanyakumari district and Shenkottah taluk of Tirunelveli district)
15. Kudiva, Melakudi
16. Kurichchan
17. Kurimbas (in the Nilgiris district) 18. Kurumans
19. Maha Malasar
20. Malai Arayan
21. Malai Pandaram
22. Malai Vedan
23. Malakkuravan
24. Malasar
25. Malayali (in Dharmapuri, North Arcot,Pudukottai, Salem, South Arcot and Tiruchirapalli districts)
26. Malayekandi
27. Mannan
28. Mudugar, Muduvan
29. Muthuvan
30. Palleyan
31. Palliyan
32. Palliyar
33. Paniyan
34. Sholaga
.35. Toda (excluding Kanyakumari district and Shenkoltah taluk of Tirunelveli district)
36. Uraly

Trlpura

1. Bhil
2. Bhutia
3. Chaimal
4. Chakma
5. Gareo
6. Halam, Bengshel, Dub, Kaipeng, Kalai,
Karbong, Lengui, Mussum, Rupjni, Sukuchep, Thangchep
7. Jamatia
8. Khasia
9. Kuki, including the following sub-tribes:
(i) Balte
(iI) Belahut
(iii) Chhalya
(iv) Fun
(v) Hajango
(vi) Jangtei (vii) Khareng (viii) Khephong (ix) Kuntei
(x) Laifang
(xi) Lentei
(xii) Mizel
(xiii) Namte
(xiv) Paitu, Paite
(xv) Rangchan
(xvi) Rang~hole
(xvii) Thangluya
10. Lepcha
11. Lunshai
12. Mag
13. Munda, Kaur
14. Noatia, Musrashing
15. Orang
16. Riang
17. Santal
18. Tripura, Tripuri, Tippera
19. Uchai

Scheduled Tribes : Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan and Sikkim

Nagaland
1. Naga
2. Kuki
3. Kachari
4. Mikir
5. Garo

Orissa

1. Bagata, Bhakta
2. Baiga
3. Banjara, Banjari
4. Bathudi, Bathuri
5. Bhottada, Dhotada, Bhotra, Bhatra,
Bhattara, Bhotora, Bhatara
6. Bhuiya, Bhuyan
7. Bhumia
8. Bhumij, Teli Bhumij, Haladipokhria
Bhumij, Haladi Pokharia Bhumij, Desi Bhumij, Desia Bhumij, Tamaria Bhumij
9. Bhunjia
10. Binjhal, Bhinjhwar
11. Binjhia, Binjhoa
12. Birhor
13. Bondo Poraja, Bonda Paroja, Banda
Paroja
14. Chenchu
15. Dal
16. Desua Bhumij
17. Dharua, Dharuba, Dhurva
18. Didayi, Didai Paroja, Didai
19. Gadaba, Bodo Gadaba, Gutob Gadaba,
Kapu Gadaba, Ollara Gadaba, parenga Gadaba, Sano Gadaba
20. Gandia
21. Ghara
22. Gond, Gondo, Rajgond, Maria Gond,
Dhur Gond
23. Ho
24. Holva
25. Jatapu
26. Juang
27. Kandha Gauda
28. Kawar, Kanwar
29. Kharia, Kharian, Berga Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, Erenga Kharia, Munda Kharia, Oraon Kharia, Khadia, Pahari Kharia
30. Kharwar
31. Khond, Kond, Kandha, Nanguli Kandha,
Sitha Kandha, Kondh, Kui, Buda Kondh, Bura Kandha, Desia Kandha, Dungaria Kondh, Kutia Kandha, Kandha Gauda,
Muli Kondh, Malua Kondh, pengo Kandha, Raj Kondh, Raj Khond
32. Kisan, Nagesar, Nagesia 33. Kol
34. Kolah Loharas, Kol Loharas 35. Kolha
36. Koli, Malhar
37. Kondadora
38. Kora, Khara, Khayara
39. Korua
40. Kotia
41. Koya, Gumba Koya, Koitur Koya, Kamar
Koya, Musara Koya
42. Kulis
43. Lodha, Nodh, Nodha, Lodh
44. Madia
45. Mahali
46. Mankidi
47. Mankirdia, Mankria, Mankidi
48. Matya, Matia
49. Mirdhas, Kuda, Koda
50. Munda, Munda Lohara, Munda Mahalis,
Nagabanshi Munda, Oriya Munda
51. Mundarl
52. Omanatya, Oman at yo, Amanatya 53. Oraon, Dhangar, Uran
54. parenga
55. Paroja, Parja, Bodo Pareja, Barong
Jhodia Paroja, Chhelia Paroja, Jhodia Pareja, Konda paroja, Paraja, Ponga Paroja, Sodia Paroja, Sano Paroja, Solia
Paroja
56. Pentia 57. Rajuar
58. Santal
59. Saora, Sayar, Saura, Sahara, Arsi
Saora, Based Saora, Bhima Saora, Bhimma Saora, Chumura Saora, Jara Sayar, Jadu Saora, Jati Saora, Juari Saora, Kampu Saora, Kampa Soura, Kapo Saora, Kindal Saora, Kumbi Kancher Saora, Kalapithia Saora, Kirat Saora, Lanjia Saora, Lamba Lanjia Saora, Luara Saora, Luar Saora, Laria Sayar, Malia Saora, Malia Saora, Uriya Saora, Raika Saora, Sudda Saora, Sarda Saora, Tankala Saora, Patre Saora, Vesu Saora
60. Shabar, Lodha
61. Sounti
62. Tharua, Tharua Bindhani

Rajasthan

1. Bhil, Bhil Garasia, Dholi Bhil, Gungri Bhil, Dungri Garasia, Mewasi Bhil, Rawal Bhil, Tadvi Bhil, Bhagalia, Bhilala, Pawra,
Vasava, Vasave
2. Bhil Mina
3. Damor, Damaria
4. Dhanka, Tadvi, Tetaria, Valvi
5. Garasia (excluding Rajput Garasia)
6. Kathodi, Katkari, Dhor Kathodi, Dhor
Katkari, Son Kathodi, Son Katkari
7. Kokna, Kokni, Kukna
8. Koli Dhor, Tokre Koli, Kolcha, Koigha 9. Mina
10. Naikda, Nayaka, Cholivala Nayaka, Kapadia Nayaka, Mota Nayaka, Nana Nayaka
11.. Patelia
12. Seharia, Sehria, Sahariya
21. Sikkim
1. Bhutia (including Chumbipa, Dopthapa,
Dukpa, Kagatey, Sherpa, Tibetan, Tromopa, Yolmo)
2. Lepcha
3. Limboo
4. Tamang

Scheduled Tribes : Meghalaya and Mizoram

Meghaiaya
1. Chakma
2. Dimasa, Kachari
3. Garo
4. Hajong
5. Hmar
6. Khasi, Jaintia, Synteng, Pnar, War,
Bhoi, Lyngngam
7. Any Kuki tribe including:
(i) Biate, Biete
(ii) Changsan
(Hi) Chongloi
(iv) Doungel
(v) Gamalhou
(vi) Gangte
(vii) Guite
(viii) Hanneng
(ix) Haokip, Haupit .
(x) Haolai
(xi) Hengna
(xii) Hongsungh
(xiii) Hrangkhwal, Rangkhol
(xiv) Jongbe
(xv) Khawchung
(xvi) Khawathlang, Khothalong
(xvii) Khelma
(xviii) Kholhou
(xix) Kipgen
(xx) Kuki
(xxi) Lengthang
(xxii) Lhangum
(xxiii) Lhoujem
(xxiv) Lhouvun
(xxv) Lupheng
(xxvi) Mangjel
(xxvii) Misao (xxviii) Raing
(xxix) Sairhem
(xxx) Selnam
(xxxi) Singson
(xxxii) Sitlhou
(xxxiii) Sukte
(xxxiv) Thado
(xxxv) Thangngen
(xxxvi) Uibuh
(xxxvii) Vaiphei
8. Lakher
9. Man (Tai-speaking)
10. Any Mizo (Lushai) tribe
11. Mikir
12. Any Naga tribes
13. Pawi
14. Synteng-Khotha
15. Boro-Kacharies (1987)
16. Koch
17. Raba, Rava

Mizoram
1. Chakma
2. Dimassa (Kachari)
3. Garo
4. Hajong
5. Hmar
6. Khasi and Jaintia (including KhasiSynten or Pnar, War, Bhoi or Lyngngam)
7. Any Kuki tribe including:
(i) Baite, Biete
(ii) Changsan
(iii) Chongloi
(iv) Doungel
(v) Gamalhou
(vi) Gangte
(vii) Guite)
(viii) Hanneng
(ix) Haokip, Haupit
(x) Haolai
(xi) Hengna
(xii) Hongsungh
(xiii) Hrangkhwal or Rangkhol
(xiv) Jongbe
(xv) Khawchung (xvi) Khawathlang (xvii) Khelma (xviii) Kholhou
(xix) Kipgen (xx) Kuki
(xxi) Lengthang
(xxii) Lhangum
(xxiii) Lhoujem (xxiv) Lhouvun (xxv) Lupheng (xxvi) Mangjel
(xxvii) Missao (xxviii) Raing
(xxix) Sairhem
(xxx) Selnam (xxxi) Singson
(xxxii) Sitlhou (xxxiii) Sukte (xxxiv) Thado (xxxv) Thangeu (xxxvi) Uibuh (xxxvii) Vaiphei

Scheduled Tribes : Maharashtra & Manipur

Maharashtra
1. Andh
2. Baiga
3. Barda
4. Bavacha, Bamcha
5. Bhaina
6. Bharia Bhumia, Bhuinhar Bhumia, Pando 7. Bhattra
8. Bhil, Bhil Garasia, Dholi Bhil, Dungri
Bhil, Dungri Garasia, Mewasi Bhil, Dungri Garasia, Mew Bhagalia, Bhilala, Pawra, Vasava, Vasave
9. Bhunjia
10. Binjhwar 11. Birhul Birhor
12. (Omitted)
13. Dhanka, Tadvi, Tetaria, Valvi
14. Dhanwar
15. Dhodia
16. Dubla, Talavia, Halpati
17. Gamit, Gamta, Gavit, Mavchi, Padvi
18. Gond Rajgond, Arakh, Arrakh, Agaria,
Asur, Badi Maria, Bada Maria, Bhatbla, Bhimma, Bhutta, KOilabhuta, Koilabhuti, Bhar, Bisonhorn Maria, Chota Maria, Dandami Maria, Dhuru, Dhurwa, Dhoba, Dhulia, Doria, Gaiki, Gatta, Gatti, Gaita, Gond Gowari, Hill Maria, Kandra, Kalanga, Khatola, Koitar, Koya, Khirwar, Khirwara, Kucha Maria, Kuchaki Maria, Madia, Maria Mana, Mannewar, Moghya, Mogia, Monghya, Mudia, Muria,
Nagarchi, Naikpod, Nagwanshi, Ojha, Raj, Sonjhari Jhareka, Thatia, Thotya, Wade Maria, Vade Maria
19. Halba, Halbi
20. Kamar
21. Kathodi, Katkari, Dhor Kathodi, Dhor
Kathkari, Son Kathodi, Son Katkari 22. Kawar, Kanwar, Kaur, Cherwa, Rathia,
Tanwar, Chattri .
23. Khairwar
24. Kharia
25. Kokna, Kokni, Kukna
26. Kol
27. Kolam, Mannervarlu
28. Koli Dhor, Tokre Koli, Kolcha, Koigha
29. Koli Mahadev, Dongar Koli
30. Koli Malhar
31. Kondh, Khond, Kandh
32. Korku, Bopchi, Mouasi, Nihal, Nahul,
Bondhi, Bondeya
33. Koya, Bhind Koya, Rajkoya
34. Nagesia, Nagasia
35. Naikda, Nayaka, Cholivala Nayaka,
Kapadia Nayaka, Mota Nayaka, Nana
Nayaka
36. Oraon, Dhangad
37. Pardhan, Pathari, Saroti
38. Pardhi; Advichincher, Phans Pardhi, Phanse Pardhi, Longoli Pardhi, Bahelia, Bahellia, Chita Pardhi, Shikari, Takankar, Takia
39. Parja
40. Patelia
41. Pomla
42. Rathawa
43. Sawar, Sawara
44. Thakur, Thakar, Ka Thakur, Ka Thakar,
Ma Thakur, Ma Thakar
45. (Omitted)
46. Varli
47. Vitolia, Kotwalia, Barodia

Manipur
1. Aimol
2. Anal
3. Angami
4. Chiru
5. Chothe
6. Gangte
7. Hmar 8. Kabui
9. Kacha Naga
10. Koirao
11. Koireng
12. Kom
13. Lamgang
14. Mao
15. Maram
16. Maring
17. Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes
18. Monsang
19. Moyon
20. Paite
21. Purum
22. Ralte
23. Serna 24. Simte 25. Suhte
26. Tangkhul
27. Thadou
28. Vaiphei
29. Zou
30. Poumal Naga
31. Tarao
32. Kharam
33. Any Kuki tribe

Scheduled Tribes: Kerala and Madhya Pradesh

Kerala

1. Adiyan
2. Aradan, Aranadan
3. Eravallan
4. Hill Pulaya, Mala Pulayan, Kurumba
, Pulayan, Karavazhi Pulayan, Pamba
Pulayan
5. Irular, Irulan
6. Kadar, Wayanad Kadar
7. (Omitted)
8. Kanikaran, Kanikkar
9. Kattunayakan
10. Kochu Velan
11. (Omitted)
12. (Omitted)
13. Koraga
14. (Omitted)
15. Kudiya, Melakudi
16. Kurichchan, Kurichiyan
17. Kurumans, Mullu Kuruman, Mulla
Kuruman, Mala Kuruman
18. Kurumbas, Kurumban, Kurumbar
19. Maha Malasar
20. Malai Arayan, Mala Arayan
21. Malai Pandaram
22. Malai Vedan, Malavedan
23. Malakkuravan
24. Malasar
25. Malayan, Nattu Malayan, Konga Ma­
layan (excluding the areas comprising the Kasargode, Kannur, Wayanad and
Kozhikode districts)
26. Malayarayar
27. Mannan
28. (Omitted)
29. Mathuvan, Mudugar, Madhuvan
30. Palleyan, Palliyan, Palliyar, Paliyan 31. (Omitted)
32. (Omitted)
33. Paniyan
34. Ulladan, Ullatan
35. Uraly
36. Mala Vettuvan (in Kasargode and
Kannur districts)
37. Ten Kurumban, Jenu Kurumban
38. Thachanadan, Thachanadan Moopan 39. Cholanaickan
40. Mavilan
41. Karimpalan'
42. Vetta Kuruman
43. Mala Panickar

Madhya Pradesh

1. Agariya
2. Andh
3. Baiga
4. Bhaina
5. Bharia Bhumia, Bhuinhar Bhumia,
Bhumiya, Bharia, Paliha, Pando
6. Bhattra
7. Bhil, Bhilala, Barela, Patelia
8. Bhil Mina
9. Bhunjia
10. Biar, Biyar
11. Binjhwar
12. Birhul, Birhor
13. Damon Damaria
14. Dhanwar
15. Gadaba, Gadba
16. Gond, Arakh, Arrakh, Agaria, Asur,
Badi Maria, Bada Maria, Bhatola, Bhimma, Bhuta, Koilabhuta, Kolalbhuta, Bhar, Bisonhom Maria, Chota Maria, Dandami Maria, Dhuru, Dhurwa, Dhoba, Dhulia, Doria, Gaiki, Gatta, Gatti, Gaita, Gond Gowari, Hill Maria, Kandra, Kalanga, Khatola, Koitar, Koya, Khirwara, Hirwara Kucha Maria, Kuchak Maria, Madia, Maria, Mana, Mannewar, Moghya, Mogia, Monghya Mudia Nuria, Nagarchi, Nagwanshi, Ojha, Raj, Sonjhari Jhareka, Thatia Th{>tya, Wade Maria Vadi Maria, Daroi
17. Halba, Halbi
18. Kamar
19. Karku
20. Kawar, Kanwar, Kaur, Cherwa, Rathia,
Tanwar, Chattri
21. (Omitted)
22. Khairwar, Kondar
23. Kharia
24. Kondh, Khond, Kandh
25. Kol
26. Kolam
27. Korku, Bopchi, Mouasi, Nihal, Nahul,
Bondhi, Bondeya
28. Korwa, Kodaku
29. Majhi
30. Majhwar
31. Mawasi
32. (Omitted)
33. Munda
34. Nagesia, Nagasia
35. Oraon, Khanka, Dhangad
36. Panika (in Chhatarpur, Datia, Panna,
Rewa, Satna, Shahdol, Sidhi and
Tikamgarh districts)
37. Pao
38. Pardhan, Pathari, Saroti
39. (Omitted)
40. Pardhi, Bahelia, Bahellia, Chita, Pardhi,
Langoli, Parthi, Phans Pardhi, Shikari, Takankar, Takia in (i) Chhindwara, Mandla, Dindori and Seoni districts, (ii) Baihar Tahsil of Balaghat District, (Hi) Betul, Bhainsdehi and Shahpur tahsils of Betul district, (iv) Patan tahsil and Sihora and Majholi blocks of JabalpUi district, (v) Katni (Murwara) and Vijaya Raghogarh tahsils and Bahoriband and Dhemerkheda blocks of Katni district, (vi) Hoshangabad, Babai, Sohagpur, Pipariya and Bankhedi tahsils and Kesla block of Hoshangabad district, (vii) Narsinghpur district, and ('liiii) Harsud
Tahsil of Khandwa district
41. Parja
42. Sahariya, Saharia, Seharia, Sehria,
Sosia, Sor
43. Saonta, Saunta
44. Saur
45. Sawar, Sawara
46. Som

Scheduled Tribes : Karnataka,

Karnataka
1. Adiyan
2. Barda
3. Bavacha, Bamcha
4. Bhil, Bhil Garasia, Dholi Bhil, Dungri Bhil, Dungri Garasia, Mewasi Bhil, Rawal Bhil, Tadvi Bhil, Bhagalia Bhilala, Pawra,Vasava, Vasave
5. Chenchu, Chenchwar
6. Chodhara
7. Dubla, Talavia, Halpati
8. Gamit, Gamta, Gavit, Mavchi, Padvi,Val vi
9. Gond, Naikpod, Rajgond
10. Gowdalu
11. Hakkipikki
12. Hasalaru
13. Irular
14. Iruliga
15. Jenu Kuruba
16. Kadu Kuruba
17. Kammara (in South Kanara district and Kollegal taluk of Mysore district)
18. Kaniyan, Kanyan (in Kollegal taluk of Mysore district)
19. Kathodi, Katkari, Dhor Kathodi, Dhor Katkari, Son Kathodi, Son Katkari
20. Kattunayakan
21. Kokna, Kokni, Kukna
22. Koli Dhor, Tokre Koli, Kolcha, Koigha 23. Konda Kapus
24. Koraga
25. Kota
26. Koyha, Bhine Koya, Rajkoya
27. Kudiva Melakudi
28. Kuruba (in Coorg district)
29. Kurumans
30. Maha Malasar
31. Malaikudi
32. Malasar
33. Malayekandi
34. Maleru
35. Maratha (in Coorg district)
36. Marati (in South Kanara district)
37. Meda, Medari, Gauriga, Burud
38. Naikda, Nayakla, Cholivala Nayaka, Kapadia Nayaka, Mota Nayaka, Nana Nayaka, Naik Nayak, Beda, Bedar,and Valmiki
39. Paliyan
40. Paniyan
41. Pardhi, Advichincher, Phanse Pardhi,
Haranshikari
42. Patelia
43. Rathawa
44. Sholaga
45. Soligaru
46. Toda
.47. Varli
48. Vitolia, Kotwalia, Barodia
49. Yerava
50. Siddi (in Uttar Kannada District)

Scheduled Tribes : Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir & Jharkhand

Himachal Pradesh
1. Bhot, Bodh
2. Gaddi
3. Gujjar
4. Jad, Lamba, Khampa
5. Kanaura, Kinnara
6. Lahaula
7. Pangwala
8. Swangla
9. Beta, Beda
10. Domba, Gara, Zoba

Jammu and Kashmir
1. Balti
2. Beda
3. Bot, Boto
4. Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin 5. Changpa
6. Garra
7. Mon
8. Purigpa
9. Gujjar
10. Bakarwal
11. Gaddi
12. Sippi

Jharkhand
1. Asur, Agaria
2. Baiga
3. Banjara
4. Bathudi
5. Bedia
6. Binjhia
7. Birhor
8. Bi~ia
9. Chero
10. Chik Baraik
11. Gond
12. Gorait
13. Ho
14. Karmali
15. Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, Hill
Kharia
16. Kharwar
17. Khond
18. Kisan, Nagesia
19. Kora, Mudi-Kora
20. Korwa
21. Lohra
22. Mahli
23. Mal Pahariya, Kumarbhag Paharia
24. Munda, Patar
25. Oraon, Dhangar (Oraon)
26. Parhaiya
27. Santhal
28. Sauria Paharia
29. Sayar
30. Bhumji
31. Kawar
32. Kol

Scheduled Tribes : Goa and Gujrat

Goa
1. Dhodia
2. Dhuba (Haloati)
3. Naikda (Talavia)
4. Siddi (Nayaka)
5. Varli
6. Kunbi
7. Gawda
8. Velip

Gujarat
1. Barda
2. Bavacha, Bamcha
3. Bharwad (in the Nesses of the forests
of Alech, Barda and Gir)
4. Bhil, Bhil Garasia, Dholi, Bhil, Dungri Bhil, Dungri Garasia, Mewasi Bhil, Rewal Bhil, Tadvi Bhil, Bhagalia, Bhilala, Pawra, Vasava, Vasave
5. Charan (in the Nesses of the forests
of Alech Barda and Gir)
6. Chaudhri (in Surat and Valsad districts) 7. Chodhara
8. Dhanka, Tadvi, Tetaria, Valvi
9. Dhodia, Dhodi
10. Dubla, Talavia, Halpati
11. Gamit, Gamta, Gavit, Mavchi, Padvi 12. Gond, Rajgond
13. Kathodi, Katkari, Dhor Kathodi, Dhor
Katkari, Son Kathodi, Son Katkari
14. Kokna, Kokni, Kukna
15. (Omitted)
16. Koli Dhor, Tokre Koli, Kolcha, Koigha 17. Kunbi (in the Dangs district)
18. Naikda, Nayak, Cholivala Nayaka,
Kapadia Nayaka, Mota Nayaka, Nana
Nayaka
19. Padhar
20. (Omitted)
21. Pardhi, Advichincher, Phanse Pardhi(excluding Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch, Rajkot and Surendranagar distdcts)
22. Patelia
23.. Pomla
24. Rabari (in the Nesses of the forests
of Alech, Barada and Gir)
25. Rathawa
26. Siddi (in Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar,Junagadh, Rajkot and Surendranagar
districts)
27. (Omitted)
28. Varli
29. Vitola, Kotwalia, Barodia

LIST OF NOTIFIED SCHEDULED TRIBES : Chhattisgarh

Chhattlsgarh
1. Agariya
2. Andh
3. Baiga
4. Bhaina '1t
5. Bharia Bhumia, Bhuinhar Bhumia,
Bhumiya, Bharia, Paliha, Pando
6. Bhattra
7. Bhil, Bhilala, Barela, Patelia 8. Bhil Mina
9. Bhunjia
10. Biar, Biyar
11. Binjhwar
12. Birhul, Birhor
13. Damor, Damaria
14. Dhanwar
15. Gadaba, Gadba
16. Gond, Arakh, Arrakh, Agaria Asur,
Badi Maria, Bada Maria, Bhatola, Bhimma, Bhuta, Koliabhuta, Koliabhuti, Bhar, Bisonhom Maria, Chota Maria, Dandami Maria, Dhuru, Dhurwa, Dhoba, Dhulia, Doria, Gaiki, Gatta, Gatti, Gaita, Gond Gowari, Hill Maria, Kandra, Kalanga, Khatola, Koitar, Koya, Khirwar, Khirwara, Kucha Maria, Kuchaki Maria,
Madia, Maria, Mana, Mannewar, Moghya, Mogia, Monghya, Mudia, Muria,
Nagarchi, Nagwanshi, Ojha, Raj Gond, Sonjhari 'Jhareka, Thatia, Thotya, Wade Maria, Vade Maria, Daroi
17. Halba, Halbi
18. Kamar
19. Karku
20. Kawar, Kanwar, Kaur, Cherwa, Rathia,
Tanwar, Chatri
21. Khairwar, Kondar
22. Kharia
23. Kondh, Khond, Kandh
24. Kol
25. Kolam
26. Korku, Bopchi, Mouasi, Nihar, Nahul,
Bondhi, Bondeya
27. Korwa, Kodaku
28. Majhi
29. Majhwar
30. Mawasi
31. Munda
32. Nagesia, Nagasia
33. Oraon, Dhanka, Dhangad
34. Pao
35. Pardhan, Pathari, Saroti
36. Pardhi, Bahelia, Bahellia, Chita Pardhi,
Langoli Pardhi, Phans Pardhi, Shikari, Takankar, Takia (In (i) Bastar, Dantewara, Kanker. Raigarh, Jashpumagar. Surguja and Koria dis­tricts, and (ii) Katghora, Pali, Kartala and Korba tahsils of Korba district, (iii) Bilaspur, Pendra, Kota and Takhatpur tahsils of Bilaspur district, (iv) Durg, Patan Gunderdehi, Dhamdha. Balod, Gurur and Dondilohara tahsils of Durg district, (v) Chowki, Manpur and Mohala Revenue Inspector Circles Of Rajnandgaon district, (vi) Mahasamund
Saraipali and Basna tahsils of Mahsamund district (vii) ~indra­Navagarh Rajim and Deobhog tahsils of Raipur district, and (viii) Dhamtari,
Kurud and Sihava tahsils of Dhamtari district)
37. Parja
38. Sahariya, Saharia, Seharia, Sehria,
Sosia, Sor
39. Saonta, Saunta
40. Saur
41. Sawar
42. Som

List of Notified Scheduled Tribes : Bihar

Bihar
1. Asur, Agaria
2. Baiga
3. Banjara
4. Bathudi
5. Bedia
6. (Omitted)
7. Binjhia
8. Birhor
9. Birijia
10. Chero
11. Chik Baraik
12. Gond
13. Gorait
14. Ho
15. Karmali
16. Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, Hill
Kharia
17. Kharwar
18. Khond
19. Kisan, Nagesia
20. Kora, Mudi-Kora
21. Korwa
22. Lohara, Lohra
23. Mahli
24. Mal Paharia, Kumarbhag Paharia
25. Munda, Patar
26. Oraon, Dhangar (Oraon)
27. Parhaiya
28. Santal
29. Sauria Paharia
30. Savar
31. Kawar
32. Kof
33. Tharu

Friday, November 20, 2009

LIST OF NOTIFIED SCHEDULED TRIBES: Assam

Assam
I. In the autonomous districts:
1. Chakma
2. Dimasa, Kachari
3. Garo
4. Hajong
5. Hmar
6. Khasi, Jaintia, Synteng, Pnar, War,
. Bhoi, Lyngngam
7. Any Kuki tribe including:
(i) Biate, Blete
(Ii) Changsan
(iii) Chongloi
(iv) Doungel
(v) Gamalkhou
(vi) Gangte
(vii) Guite
(viii) Hanneng
(ix) Haokip, Haupit
(x) Hao/ai
(xi) Hengna
(xii) Hongsungh
(xiii) Hrangkhwal Rangkhol
(xiv) Jongbe .
(xv) Khawchung
(xvi) Khawathlang, Khothalong
(xvii) Khelma
(xviii) Kholhou
(xix) Kipgen
(xx) Kuki
(xxi) Lengthang
(xxii) Lhungum
(xxiii) Lhoujem
(xxiv) Lhouvun
(xxv) Lupheng
(xxvi) Mangiel
(xxvii) Misao
(xxviii) Riang
(xxix) Sairhem
(xxx) Selnam
(xxxi) Singson
(xxxii) Sitlhou
(xxxiii) Sukte
(xxxiv) Thado
(xxxv) Thangngeu
(xxxvi) Uibuh
(xxxvii) Vaiphei
8. Lakher
9. Man (Tai speaking)
10. Any Mizo (Lushai) tribe
11. Karbi
12. Any Naga tribes
13. Pawl
14. Syntheng
15. Lalung
II. In the state of Assam excluding the autonomous districts:
1. Barmans in Cachar
2. Boro, Borokachari
3. Deori
4. Hojai
5. Kachari, Sonwa/
6. Lalung
7. Mech
8. Miri
9. Rabha
10. Dimasa
11. Hajong
12. Singhpho
13. Khampti
14. Garo

LIST OF NOTIFIED SCHEDULED TRIBES : Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

1. Abor
2. Aka
3. Apatani
4. Dafla
5. Galong
6. Khampti
7. Khowa
8. Mishmi, Idu Taroan 9. Momba
10. Any Naga tribe 11. Sherdukpen
12. Singpho
13. Hrusso
14. Tagin
15. Khamba
16. Adi

LIST OF NOTIFIED SCHEDULED TRIBES (As per 1991 Census)

Andhra Pradesh

1. Andh, Sadhu Andh
2. Bagata
3. Bhil
4. Chenchu
5. Gadabas, Bodo Gadaba, Gutob
Gadaba, Kallayi Gadaba, Parangi
Gadaba, Kathera Gadaba, Kapu
Gadaba
6. Gond, Naikpod, Rajgond, Koitur
7. Goudu (in the Agency tracts)
8. Hill Reddis
9. Jatapus
10. Kammara
11. Kattunayakan
12. Kolam, Kolawar
13. Konda Dhoras, Kubi
14. Konda Kapus
15. Kondareddis
16. Kondhs, Kodi, Kodhu, Desaya Kondhs,
Dongria Kondhs, Kuttiya Kondhs, Tikiria Kondhs, Yenity Kondhs, Kuvingas
17. Kotia, Bentho, OriJ(a, Bartika, Dulia, Hol~a, Sanrona, Sidhopaiko
18. Koya, Doli Koya, Gutta Koya, Kammara Koya, Musara Koya, Oddi Koya, Pattidi Koya, Goud, Rajah, Rasha, Lingadhari Koya (ordinary), Kottu Koya, Bhine Koya, Rajkoya
19. Kulia
20. Malis (excluding Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahbubnagar,
Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and
Warangal districts)
21. Manna Dhora
22. Mukha Dhora, Nooka Dhora
23. Nayaks (in the Agency tracts)
24. Pardhan
25. Porja, Parangiperja
26. Reddi Dhoras
27. Rona, Rena
28. Savaras, Kapu Savaras, Maliya
Savaras, Khutto Savaras
29. Sungalis, Lambadis, Banjara
30. Thoti . (in Adilabad, Hyderabad,Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahbubnfigar,
Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Warangal districts)
31. Valmiki (in the in the Scheduled areas of Vishakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vijayanagram, East Godavari and West Godavari districts)
32. Yenadis, Chella Yenadi, Kappala Yenadi, Manchl Yenadi, Reddi Yenadi
33. Yerukulas, Koracha. Dabba Yerukula,Kunchapuri Yerukula, Uppu Yerukula
34. Nakkala, Kurvikaran
35. Dhulia, Paiko, Putiya (in the districts of Vishakhapatnam and Vijayanagaram)

SC and ST Population : 2001 Census

No. Union Territory Total Schedule Caste Schedule Tribe
Population Population/Percentage Population/Percentage


INDIA1 1,028,610 166,636 16.20 84,326 8.20
1. Jammu and Kashmir 10,144 770 7.59 1,106 10.90
2. Himachal Pradesh 6,078 1,502 24.72 245 4.02
3. Punjab 24,359 7,029 28.85 0 0.00
4. Chandigarh 901 158 17.50 0 0.00
5. Uttaranchal 8,489 1,517 17.87 256 3.02
6. Haryana 21,145 4,091 19.35 0 0.00
7. Delhi 13,851 2,343 16.92 0 0.00
8. Rajasthan 56,507 9,694 17.16 7,098 12.56
9. Uttar Pradesh 166,198 35,148 21.15 108 0.06
10. Bihar 82,999 13,049 15.72 758 0.91
11. Sikkim 541 27 5.02 111 20.60
12. Arunachal Pradesh 1,098 6 0.56 705 64.22
13. Nagaland 1,990 0 0.00 1,774 89.15
14. Manipur' 2,167 60 2.77 741 34.20
15. Mizoram 889 0 0.03 839 94.46
16. Tripura 3,199 556 17.37 993 31.05
17. Meghalaya 2,319 11 0.48 1,993 85.94
18. Assam 26,656 1,826 6.85 3,309 12.41
19. West Bengal 80,176 18,453 23.02 4,407 5.50
20. Jharkhand 26,946 3,189 11.84 7,087 26.30
21. Orissa 26,805 6,082 16.53 8,145 22.13
22. Chhattisgarh 20,834 2,419 11.61 6,617 31.76
23. Madhya Pradesh 60,348 9,155 15.17 12.233 20.27
24. Gujarat 50,671 3,593 7.09 7,481 14.76
25. Daman and Diu 158 5 3.06 14 8.85
26. Dadra and Nagar Haveli 220 4 1.86 137 62.24
27. Maharashtra 96,879 9,882 10.20 8,577 8.85
28. Andhra Pradesh 76,210 12,339 16.19 5,024 6.59
29. Karnataka 52,851 8,564 16.20 3,464 6.55
30. Goa 1,348 24 1.77 1 0.04
31. Lakshadweep 61 0 0.00 57 94.51
32. Kerala 31,841 3,124 9.81 364 1.14
33. Tamil Nadu 62,406 11,858 19.00 651 1.04
34. Pondicherry 974 158 16.19 0 0.00
35. Andaman and Nicobar
Islands 356 0 0.00 29 1.27

MAJOR TRIBAL GROUPS OF THE WORLD

Africa, perhaps, has the largest number of tribes. Some of the major tribes and their regions are given below.
Aborigines: The earliest inhabitants of Australia (The term 'aborigine', however, generally signi­fies the original people of any area.)

Bantus : Negroes of Central and Southern Africa
Bedouins: Nomadic tribe of Arab descent in Africa and South-west Asia
Berbers: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia
Bindibu: Western Australia
Eskimo: Tundra regions of Canada and Greenland
Gaucho : Nomads of Uruguay, Argentina (the Pam­pas)
Hamites: North-west Africa
Kirghiz: Steppes of Asia
Kikuyu: Kenya, East Africa
Lapps: Tundra region of Europe
Maori: New Zealand
Masai: East Africa
Papuans: New Guinea
Pygmies: Congo (Zaire) Basin
Red Indians: North America
Samoyeds: Asiatic Tundra-Northern Russia
Tartars: Siberia
Veddas: Sri Lanka
Yakuts: Tundra region of Russia

TRIBE POPULATION

POPULATION The 2001 Census put the number 0
persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes in India at 84.: million, which was 8.20 per cent of the total population 0 the country. There were about 60 major tribal group: accounting for about 80 per cent of the total tribal popu lation of India in 1991. There were over 100 medium triba groups and 130 minor tribal groups. About 60 others werl numerically insignificant. The pattern of distribution of th. tribal groups was very uneven.

According to Census 2001, numerically, Schedulec Tribes were largest in Madhya Pradesh followed b) Maharashtra. Orissa, Rajasthan and Jharkhandheld third fourth, fifth positions respectively. The Scheduled Tribe~ formed the largest proportion of the total population ir, Lakshadweep, followed by Mizoram and Nagaland.

District-wise, the district of West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya had the highest percentage of ST population in 1991. There were about 30 districts where more than 75 per cent of the total population were scheduled tribes. Majority of such districts were in the North-Eastern states. Districts, such as Lahul and Spiti, the Dangs, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jhabua and Lakshadweep had also about three-fourths of their population belonging to STs.

The decadal population growth between the census year 1981 to 1991 in respect of the tribal population has been higher (31.64 per cent) than that for the entire population (23.51 per cent), however, during census years 1991 to 2001 it has been 24.45 per cent against the growth rate of 22.66 per cent for the entire population. The ST population in the state of Karnataka has winessed highest growth rate of 80.82 per cent following by Nagaland (67.2: per cent). The lowest growth rate in respect of ST popu lation as per the 2001 census was recorded in Andamal and Nicobar Islands (10.08 per cent) followed by Himachc Pradesh (12.02 per cent).

As compared to the sex ratio for the overall populatio (933 females per 1000 male), the sex ratio among Schedule Tribes is more favourable, at 977 females per thousan males (2001 census). In all states except Andhra Pradesl Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal, the ST sex ratio as per 20C census was more women-favoured.

The literacy rate for overall population has increaSE from 52.2 per cent to 65.38 per cent between 1991 to 200 In case of Scheduled Tribes, the increase in literacy has bel from 29.62 per cent to 47.10 per cent. As per the 20

Western Zone & Island Region

Western Zone This zone includes Rajasthan and Gujarat and tribes such as the Bhils, Garasiya and Meenas.
The Bhils are regarded as a violent tribe. They are go< archers and claim to have formed the major chunk of RaJ Pratap's army. The Meenas are a very advanced and WI educated tribe.

Island Region This zone includes Andaman ar Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu. The: tribes include the Great Andamanese, Sentinelese, Jarwa Onges, Nicobaris and Shampen. Some of these tribes al extremely backward and are struggling to come out of tl stone age mode of livelihood. Most of these tribes all classified as minor tribes which face the threat of extinctiol The government tried to integrate some of these tribes wit the mainstream, but the construction of the naval dockyar at Port Blair exposed the tribes to the outside world, leadin to a loss of identity for the tribals who got disintegrate into a diaspora. This region is a priority area in tribe administration and the emphasis is on slow and gradw change. Apart from the problem of survival, prevalence c diseases and malnutrition are some other problems of th tribes of this region.

Southern Zone & Eastern Zone

Southern Zone This region comprises the Nilgiris together with the adjoining hilly regions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which are the homeland of probably the smallest, the most backward and the most isolated tribal communities on the mainland. Among the prominent tribes of this zone are the Toda, Koya, Chenchu and Allars. Todas are a pastoral people who practise buffalo herding. Allars are cave dwellers, who also live on tree tops. Chenchus are a very backward tribe who survive mainly on hunting­gathering.

The major problems of the' tribes of the southern region are shifting cultivation, economic backwardness, isolation, lack of communication and threat of extinction of languages.

Eastern Zone This zone includes West Bengal, Orissa and parts of Orissa and tribes such as Paraja, Kondhs, Bondas, Bhumij, Gadabas, Bhuinyas and Saoras. During the last century, the Kondhs were known for their rituals of human sacrifice (which was banned by the British). Saoras are known for their magical expertise. The major problems of the tribes of the eastern zone are economic backward­ness, exploitation by forest officials and contractors, land alienation, prevalence of diseases and displacement due to industrial projects.

Central Zone

Central Zone This zone, which has the maximum tribal concentration, stretches from southern Madhya Pradesh (now also Chhattisgarh) to south Bihar (now Jharkhand) across northern Orissa. The major tribes lying in this zone are the San thais, Ho, Baiga, Abhujmaria, Muria, Munda and Birhor. The major problems faced by the tribes of this region are land alienation, indebtedness, exploitation of tribal girls by contractors and officials leading to psy­chological and sexual trauma. This zone also shows a greater impact of Hinduism.

Among the tribes of this region, the Santhals have discovered a script of their own, called Ole Chiki. Baigas are a prominent shifting cultivation tribe. Birhors are a very backward tribe of this region and because of extreme backwardness and no secure means of livelihood, they are threatened with extinction.

North-Eastern Zone

North-Eastern Zone This zone includes the seven north-eastern states, and the major tribal groupS here are Nagas, Khasi, Garo, Mishing, Miri, Karbi and the Apatanis. Ecological degradation because of shifting cultivation 'and inaccessibility due to lack of communication facilities are two major problems of these tribes. Because of a high degree of isolation, the tribes of this sector have not really shared history with the mainstream Indians and have instead shared history with the neighbouring communities. This explains why there is an element of hostility of these tribes with the mainstream. These tribes mainly belong to the Mongoloid stock which gives them a distinct ethnic identity. These tribes have a very high rate of literacy and conversions to Christianity, mainly because of the mission­ary activities during the colonial rule. Among the more advanced tribes of this region are the Khasis, Garo and Miri.

TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION From the point of view of distribution and diversity of the tribal population, India can be divided into seven zones.

1. North Zone This zone covers Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, sub-Himalayan Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Bihar. The prominent tribes here are Khasa, Tharu, Bhoksa, Bhotias, Gujjars and the Jaunsaris. Khasas are a polyan­drous tribe. Bhotias make carpets and are involved in the Indo-China border trade. The Gujjars are a pastoral tribe.
The major problems of the tribes of this zone are inaccessibility, lack of communication, poverty, illiteracy and land alienation.

CONCEPT OF TRIBE

CONCEPT OF TRIBE Conventionally, anthropologists considered all people as tribes who were backward in some sense or other, inhabited remote, inaccessible areas and were not familiar with the art of writing. They were considered racially different and lived in isolation. Such a concept, however, does not quite describe the tribes of India: these groups always had links with other people (who were not tribals) and shared with them a largely common cultural heritage.

On an official level in India, the term 'scheduled tribes' is used as a generalisation which does not quite reflect the underlying heterogeneity of the tribes of India. For one thing, there is much confusion about the names-the same names occur in many regions, though they do not exactly denote the same tribe; sub-tribes are equated with tribes, thus multiplying the number of tribes unnecessarily; the same tribe has been given more than one name, thus creating a difference where none exists. Confusion also arises from variations in language: names are pronounced differently in different regions and in tribal dialects. It is thus difficult to arrive at a clear picture of the tribes and their distribution.
The term 'scheduled tribes' in India is generally deter­mined by the political and administrative consideration of uplifting a section of the Indian people which has been relatively remotely situated in the hills and forests and which is backward in terms of the indices of development. The scheduled tribes have been identified in terms of the two parameters of relative isolation and backwardness.

In a recent survey conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India under the 'People of India Project', 461 tribal communities have been identified all over the coun­try, out of which 174 are sub-groups.

As Aijazuddin Ahmad points out in his Social Geography, "Tribal communities have been scheduled under varied contexts. This has resulted in serious anomalies. Many a time the states have treated scheduled tribes and scheduled castes as mutually interchangeable categories." Thus, Gujjars are a Muslim scheduled tribe (ST) in Himachal Pradesh and

. Jammu and Kashmir but a non-ST in Punjab; Kamars are an ST in Maharashtra but a Hindu caste in West Bengal; and Manne Dora as ST in Andhra Pradesh but non-ST Hindu in Orissa.

SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA : POPULATION

POPULATION According to the 2001 Census, the popu­lation of Scheduled Castes in India was 166.6 million which was 16.20 per cent of the total population of the country.
Numerically, the scheduled castes were the largest in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. There were no Scheduled Castes in Nagaland, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The highest proportion of the Scheduled Caste population (Le., Scheduled Caste population in a state/Union territory as percentage of total population of that state/union territory) was in Punjab while the lowest was in Nagaland. TRIBAL GROUPS IN INDIA

SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA : Distribution

SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA
DISTRIBUTION The Scheduled Castes are mainly to be found in the alluvial and coastal plains of India, as they are mostly associated with agricultural activities. (By contrast, tribal groups are rarely to be found in the alluvial plains.)
Aijazuddin Ahmed in his book Social Geography explains the striking differences in the distribution of the SCs in different regions/states of the country. He notes that these castes were dependent on the higher castes in their eco­nomic as well as other spheres of their life, and that this dependence has not decreased with time.
With the advent of the agrarian mode of production these caste-groups got associated with agriculture. In fact, they were the main suppliers of labour. This explains their heavy concentration in the states of the North Indian Plain as well as over the coastal plains of the peninsular states.

Away from the alluvial plains of the north and the coastal plains of the south, one observes a sudden decrease in the proportion of these castes in population. This is particularly true for the hilly and the forested tracts which happen to be the abode of tribal communities. Another striking fact is that an overwhelming proportion of the SCs (about 90 per cent) is confined to rural areas. It explains their overwhelming dependence on agriculture. Despite their basic dependence on agriculture they have very little access to land. A very small fraction of their population consists of small landholders. In fact, they mostly work as landless agricultural labourers, or as artisans. They also provide a variety of services to the land-owning castes generally considered as polluting and unclean services.

CASTE IN INDIA

CASTE IN INDIA

The Indian social structure has developed over time mainly on the basis of caste; indeed, it is generally believed that, as a phenomenon, caste is a specificity unique to Indian society. Modem education, urbanisation, economic devel­opment and socio-political reform movements have, to an extent, brought about a change in attitude towards the rigidities of the caste system. On the other hand, the introduction of democratic institutions and elected repre­sentatioa in governance at grassroot level upwards have given a fresh dimension to caste identity: political parties have no hesitation in catering to caste interests to swell their vote banks.
The origins of the caste system are not clear. It is generally agreed that a division of labour came about as a result of the growth of an agricultural society and villages when the new ethnic element was introduced in the indigenous population of the day with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans. An element of race (and colour of the skin) no doubt played a part in.the social divisions that emerged. The chatur vania system was created and it is generally believed that the Indo-Aryans emerged as the custodians of knowledge (brahmin) and the defenders of territory (kshsatriya) while the others were assigned the lower status of vaisya and sudra with the work of cultivation and manufacture of artisan goods. Unclean jobs-treating the dead bodies of animals, for instance-were for the lowest strata of society and described as 'exterior' castes, or outcastes.

Division of labour is not unique to India; what is unique to India is the institutionalisation of this division of labour into the rigid system of caste so much so that a vocation became a fixed hereditary trait of a family. In due course of time, the varna system acquired the features of a class division. The brahmin and kshatriya emerged as the upper classes. However, caste is not class, as mobility from one caste to another is not possible. Caste to this day deter­mines, in large parts of the country, the pattern of social interaction and commensal relations, Le., whether food or water may be accepted from a member of a certain caste, as Aijazuddin Ahmad observes. Over time, four major castes have divided and sub-divided into many more sub­castes. Access to land has historically been determined by caste. The upper castes were also the landed gentry, while those on the lower rungs of the caste society were landless, working on the land owned by the upper castes. The landed sections of population emerged as "dominant" castes as MN. Srinivas observes in his India: Social Structure. The system remained the same, by and large, throughout the Mughal rule and was reinforced by the British when they established their empire. With land getting accumulated in the hands of the higher castes, the sudras, the artisans, and the other sections, especially the outcastes, were rendered to abject levels of poverty. The lowest rungs of this caste society have been given the status of scheduled castes (SC) in independent India.