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Home / IAS Preparation / Classification of Tribes in India

Classification of Tribes in India: Zones, Language, Race, & Their Properties!

Last Updated on Nov 25, 2024
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Indian tribes are known for their unique cultural, social, and political characteristics, which are often distinct from those of mainstream society. Each tribe in India has its own set of customs, traditions, beliefs, and practices that have been passed down through generations. Tribal people are also known as 'Adivasis,' and there is no single and definitive classification system for them. However, the Classification of Tribes in India can be classified into four groups based on their language. Indo-Aryan and Dravidian are two of them, while Sino-Tibetan and Austro-Asian are the other two. 

The Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) conducted the People of India Project in 1985, which identified 461 tribal communities in India, of which 174 have been identified as sub-groups. They number about 10.4 crores, according to the 2011 Census comprising about 8.6 per cent of the total population of the Country.

This topic of the Classification of Tribes in India is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, and falls under General Studies Paper 1 and 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) and particularly in Human Geography and Social Justice. In this article, we shall discuss the Classification of Tribes in India, Their Classification in terms of Zones, Language, Race, Properties, & More!

Classification of Indian Tribes by Their Properties

In India, there is no single and definitive system for classifying tribes. However, various anthropologists and scholars have attempted to distribute Indian tribes from time to time. The classification of Indian tribes by their properties refers to categorizing them based on certain characteristics or traits that are either acquired or permanent over time. 

Acquired properties

Acquired properties refer to factors that have changed over time due to historical, social, and economic factors, such as their subsistence patterns and level of integration into mainstream Hindu society.

Permanent properties

The permanent properties of Indian tribes include factors such as their geographic location or territory, language, physical or racial attributes, and size. These are inherent characteristics of a tribe that is not easily changeable and have been part of their identity for generations.

Also read Scheduled Tribes and PVTGs in India for UPSC!

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Classification of Indian Tribes by Race

Anthropologists have attempted to classify India's tribal population based on physical characteristics. However, determining the racial origins and relationships of these communities is a difficult task due to a lack of sufficient information and limited evidence. 

Sir Herbert Risley was the first to make a scientific attempt to categorize Indian tribes based on their physical attributes, including race. He classified the entire population of India into seven racial types, including 

  • Turko-Iranian
  • Indo-Aryan
  • Scytho-Dravidian
  • Aryo-Dravidian
  • Mongolo-Dravidian
  • Mongoloid
  • Dravidian. 

However, he did not provide a separate classification scheme for the tribal population.

J.H. Hutton, S.C. Guha, and D.N. Majumdar made a more recent attempt at classification. However, S.C. Guha's classification (1935) is the most widely accepted. Who identified six main races and nine sub-types. The racial classification of Indian tribes is as follows:

  • Mongoloid: This group is further subdivided into the two sub-groups which are Tibeto-Mongoloids and Paleo-Mongoloids(Long-headed and Broad-headed). 
  • Negrito 
  • Proto- Australoid
  • Mediterranean: This group is further subdivided into the three sub-groups which are Palaeo- Mediterranean, Mediterranean, and Oriental type.
  • Western Brachycephals: This group is also further subdivided into the three sub-groups as Alpinoid, Dinaric, and Armenoid.
  • Nordic 

However, the tribes of India currently have the three following racial compositions:

  • Mongoloid
  • Negrito 
  • Proto-Australoid

Mongoloid 

Mongoloid group includes the tribes of north-eastern India and the western Himalayan region. This group is characterized by Straight hair, a flat nose, prominent cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, the epicanthic fold, and yellowish skin. 

Negrito

This group is distinguished by dark skin (which appears blue), a round head, a broad nose, and frizzy hair. These characteristics are shared by the Kadar (Kerala), Onge (Little Andaman), Sentinelese, and Jarwa (Andaman Islands), among others. The Siddis, who migrated from African shores, are also members of the Negrito group.

Proto-Australoid

The Mundas, Oraons, Hos, Gonds, Khonds, and other tribes of middle India are descended from the Proto-Australoid stock. Dark skin tone, short to medium stature, low forehead, sunken nose, dark complexion, and curly hair are characteristics of this group.

Also, read about Tharu Tribe & their Significance in India!

Classification of Indian Tribes by Zone

Indian tribes can be classified into different zones based on their geographical location and demographic set-up. However, B.S. Guha, an eminent Indian anthropologist, classified the India tribes into three zones:

  • North-North-Eastern Zone
  • Central Zone
  • Southern Zone

North-North-Eastern Zone

This zone includes the north and north-eastern zone in the mountain valleys and eastern frontiers of India.

Central Zone

The Central Zone, as classified by B.S. Guha, includes the central or middle zone occupying the older hills and plateaus along the dividing line between Peninsular India and the Indo-Gangetic Plains. 

Southern Zone

According to B.S. Guha, the Southern Zone includes the entire southern zone of Peninsular India. This zone's tribes are primarily Dravidian speakers.

Also, read about the Tribal Land Issues and Tribal Rights in India!

Classification of Indian Tribes by Language

Language or linguistic categories are also used to classify tribes. The linguistic characteristics of Indian tribes are far more complex. According to current estimates, the tribal people speak 105 distinct languages and 225 subsidiary languages. However, Indian tribes can be divided into four major linguistic groups, which are as follows:

  • Indo-Aryan
  • Austro-Asiatic
  • Dravidian
  • Sino-Tibetan

Indo Aryan

The Indo-Aryan is the largest language family in India and is spoken by a large number of tribes in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Many tribes in India speak Indo-Aryan languages as their mother tongue. Some of the major tribes are:

  • The Bhil tribe are one of the largest tribes in India and are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. 
    • They speak the Bhili language, which is a dialect of the Gujarati and Rajasthani languages belonging to the Indo-Aryan family.
  • Banjari is a dialect of Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Banjara community in India.
  • The Broqpas speak Dardic.
  • The Gujjars speak Gujjari
  • Lamani is spoken by the Lambadis.
  • Baghelkhandi is spoken by the Paos.
  • Chattisgarhi, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Oriya, and Baigana, spoken by the Baigas. 

Austric Linguistic Group

The Austric language family is spoken by the Khasis and Jaintias of Meghalaya. Other Indian tribes who speak languages from the Austric or Mundarian (as it is sometimes called) language family are as follows:

  • Mundas (Bihar).
  • Bondos (Odisha)
  • Santhals (West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Tripura).
  • Saoras (West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha).
  • Hos (Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh).
  • Korkus (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra).

The Austro-Asiatic family is further subdivided into the three sub-groups listed below:

  • Mon-Khmer Branch: Languages from this family are spoken by the Khasis and Jaintias of Meghalaya, as well as the Nicobarese of the Nicobar Islands.
  • Munda Branch: Santhali is spoken by Santhalis, Gutob speaks Gadabas, and Korwa is spoken by Kodaku.
  • Kherwarian group: Ho tribe belongs to this group.

Dravidian Linguistic Group

The Dravidian language family includes all of the tribes in southern India, as well as the Gonds and Oraons in central India. However, this language family includes the Gondi language spoken by the Gonds, who spread from Uttar Pradesh to Andhra Pradesh and from Maharashtra to Orissa. Other languages in this family include:

  • The Kandh of Orissa speaks Kui.
  • The Malerus of Karnataka speak Tulu.
  • The Oraons of central India speak Kurukh.
  • The Dravidian language family also includes the languages spoken by the Chenchus of Andhra Pradesh, the Kadars of Kerala, and the Irulas, Palliyans, and Todas of Tamil Nadu.

Sino-Tibetan

The Sino-Tibetan language family is one of the largest language families in the world, and it includes a number of sub-groups and branches. In India, this family is subdivided into the two sub-groups listed below:

  • Tibeto Burman
  • Siamese-Burmese

Tibeto Burman

Apart from the Khasis and the Jaintias of Meghalaya, who speak languages belonging to the Austroasiatic language family, all the other tribes of northeast India and the Himalayan region speak languages belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family. This language family is known for its diversity and complexity, and it includes many distinct languages and dialects spoken by different ethnic groups across the region.

  • Tibeto-Himalayan Branch: Ladakhi, Khampa, Memba, and Bhotia, spoken by the Kagati, Mons, and Sherpa peoples.
  • Prenominalised Western Himalayan (Himachal Pradesh) sub-group: Lahauli is spoken by the Lahaula, and Swangli and Kinnauri are spoken by the Kinnaura.
  • Non- Prenominalised Himalayan group: Rongke is spoken by the Lepchas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Darjeeling), and, Toto is spoken by the Totos people (West Bengal)
  • Arunachal Branch: Hrusso is spoken by the Akas, Miri is spoken by the Miris, and the Mishmis speak Mishmi.
  • Assam-Burmese Branch can be classified into;
    • Bodo group: Mikir, Dimasa, Garo, and Kachari are spoken by the Karbis people, and Koch & Dowyan are spoken by the Tiwas and Rabha tribes.
    • Naga Group: Chakhesang, Lotha, Konyak, Angami, Ao, Maram, Phom, Sema, and Rengma peoples.
    • Kuki-Chin Group: Monsang, Moyon, Koireng, Lamgang, Paite, Vaiphei, Zou, and Himar peoples.
    • Kachin Group: Singpho.

Siamese-Burmese

This family of languages is spoken by the Tai people, which includes the Khamptis and the Phakials.

Also, read in detail all the Schedules Of Indian Constitution here!

Conclusion

India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, and its population includes a wide range of communities, each with its own distinct culture and traditions. Scheduled Tribes in India account for approximately 8.6% of the Country's total population of over 10.4 crore people, according to the 2011 census. Similarly, Over 730 tribes in India have been notified as Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, recognizing the diversity of the tribal population and providing special provisions for their welfare and development. The Indian government established the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 1999 to promote the integrated socio-economic development of tribal communities in India. Since its establishment, the ministry has introduced several policies and programs to address the various challenges faced by Scheduled Tribes in the Country.

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Classification of Tribes in India FAQs

Over 730 tribes have been notified under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, and they are spread across the Country's various states and union territories.

Todas, Chenchus, Irulas, Paniyans, Badagas, Kurumbas, Kadars, Kotas, and other South Indian tribes live in this region.

Mongoloid tribes in India include the Lepcha, Garo, Naga, Khasi, and Dafla, who have Mongoloid features and predominate in North Eastern India.

Santhal, Munda, Chenchu, Khasi, Garo, Angami, Bhutia, Kodaba, Gonds, Bhils (or Bheels), and the Great Andamanese Tribes are the most well-known Indian tribes.

The tribal population in India is generally classified into three broad categories based on their racial characteristics, which are Mongoloid, Proto-Australoid, and Negrito.
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