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).
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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