Tribes in India

A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect. A tribe possesses certain qualities and characteristics that make it a unique cultural, social, and political entity. They are also known by the name ‘Adivasis’ in India.

The Origin of Races In India

The people of India belong to different anthropological stocks. According to Dr. B. S. Guha, the population of India is derived from six main ethnic groups:

Negritos

• The Negritos or the brachycephalic (broad headed) from Africa were the earliest people to inhabit India. They are survived in their original habitat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The Jarewas, Onges, Sentelenese and Great Andamanis tribes are the examples.
• Some hill tribes like Irulas, Kodars, Paniyans and Kurumbas are found only in patches among the hills of south India on the mainland.

Pro-Australoids or Austrics

• This group was the next to come to India after the Negritos.
• They represent a race of people, having long heads with low foreheads and prominent eye ridges, noses with low and broad roots, thick jaws, large palates and teeth and small chins.
• Austrics tribes, which are spread over the whole of India, and are said to “form the bedrock of the people”.
• The Austrics were the main builders of the Indus Valley Civilisation. They cultivated rice and vegetables and made sugar from sugarcane. Their language has survived in the Kol or Munda in Eastern and Central India.

Mongoloids

• These people have features that are common to those of the people of Mongolia, China and Tibet.
• These tribal groups are located in the Northeastern part of India in states like Assam, Nagaland and Meghalya and also in Ladakh and Sikkim.
• Generally, they are people of yellow complexion, oblique eyes, high cheekbones, sparse hair and medium height.

Mediterranean or Dravidian

• This group came to India from the Southwest Asia.
• They are reputed to have built up the city civilization of the Indus Valley, whose remains have been found at Mohenjodaro and Harappa and other Indus cities.
• The Dravidians must have spread to the whole of India, supplanting Austrics and Negritos alike. Dravidians comprise all the three sub-types, Paleo-Mediterranean, the true Mediterranean and Oriental Mediterranean.
• This group constitutes the bulk of the scheduled castes in the North India. This group has a sub-type called Oriental group.

Western Brachycephals

• These include the Alpinoids, Dinaries and Armenois.
• The Coorgis and Parsis fall into this category.

Nordics

• Nordics or Indo-Aryans are the last immigrants into India.
• Nordic Aryans were a branch of Indo-lranians, who had originally left their homes in Central Asia, some 5000 years ago, and had settled in Mesopotamia for some centuries.
• The Aryans must have come into India between 2000 and 1500 BCE, Their first home in India was western and northern Punjab, from where they spread to the Valley of the Ganga and beyond. These tribes are now mainly found in the Northwest and the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP).
• Many of these tribes belong to the “upper castes”.

Scheduled Tribes Definition

• Article 366 of Indian Constitution defines scheduled tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this constitution”.
• Article 342: Scheduled Tribes
  • (1) The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.
  • (2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification

Some of the important tribes in India are as follows:

Abhor	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Abujmaria	Known variously as Abudjamadis, Abujmariya and Hill Maria, these tribes are found in the geographically inaccessible areas of Abujhmar Mountains and Kutrumar Hills in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called Abujmaria. The Hill Maria tribes are considered as a subgroup of the Gonds, who are historically the most important group of original Indian tribes.
Adivasika	These are forest dwellers found mainly in Northern Kerala, near Calicut.
Adivasi Girasia	These tribes inhabit the Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts of Gujarat and are believed to be the descendants of the Rajputs who married Bhil women. The name “Girasia” refers to the Rajput and other landholders living in the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions. Their language, also known as Adivasi Girasia, is an Indo-Aryan language belonging to the Bhil subgroup .
Adiyan	Also known as Eravas, these people are found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Ahirs	These people are the traditional dairymen caste of Uttar Pradesh.
Alars	Also known as Chathans or Chatans, these tribes are found in the Kerala-Palghat region. They speak Alar and Malayalam.
Amindivi	These tribes are found in Lakshadweep.
Amri Karib	Known by different names like Mikir, Manchati, Mikiri, Karbi, these tribes are found in the Mikir and Rengma Hills of Assam. They speak Amri, a dialect of Mikir.
Angami	These tribes are found in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
Apatani	These tribes, also described as Apa, are found south of the Tibetan border in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Their language is also known as Apatani. These tribes are renowned for their cultivation, especially the Terraced rice fields, which are located along the sides of the valleys.
Arnatas	Also known as Aranadan and Eranadans, these tribes are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. They speak Aranatan and Malayalam.
Asurs	These tribes are found in Bihar and West Bengal.
Awadhi	Known by different names like Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi, Baiswari, Kojali and Kosali, these people are found in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh. They speak in Awadhi, which is a dialect of Hindi.
Badaga	Also known as Badag, Badagu, Badugu and Vadagu, these tribes are found in the Nilgiri and Kunda Hills of Tamil Nadu. Their language is also called Badaga. The name “Badaga”, meaning “northerner,” was given to this group during the Middle Ages when they migrated from the Mysore plains to the Nilgiri Hills in southern Tamil Nadu.
Bagri	These tribes are found mainly in western India, in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. They are an Indo-Aryan people, and their language is also called Bagri.
Bakarwals	These are the nomadic tribes of Kashmir
Baiga	Known by names like Baigai, Bega and Bhumia, these people are found in Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Their language is also known as Baiga.
Banchharas	These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh.
Bangni	The Bangni (also known as the Dafla or the Nishi) inhabit the hills of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Their native language, Nisi, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
Banjaras	Known by different names in different places like Lamani, Lambadi, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar Herkeri, Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Labhani Muka, Lambara, Lavani, Lemadi, Lumadale, Sugali, Tanda, Vanjari, Waji, Gormati and Singali, these tribes are mainly concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. Their common language is Lamani.
Barda	These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Bavacha	These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Barel	The Barels are considered to be the sub-group of Bhils. They speak Barel language.
Bathudi	The Bathudis live primarily in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Kendujhargarh and Balasore in the state of Odisha. Most Bathudis are bilingual, speaking their native language, Bathudi and Oriya.
Bauria	The Baurias are also considered as a sub-group of Bhils. Their language is also known as Bauria.
Beda	These tribes are found in Ladakh
Bedia	These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh
Bettakurubas	These tribes are found in Karnataka
Bhadrawahi	These tribes are located predominantly in Jammu and Kashmir
Bhils	The Bhils are considered as the third largest and most widely distributed tribal groups in India. The name “Bhil” was probably derived from the word villu or billu, which in most Dravidian languages is the word for “bow.” The bow has long been a characteristic weapon of the Bhil because the tribesmen always carry their bows and arrows with them. They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language. The Bhils are known to have fought against the Mughals, Marathas and the British.
Bhim	These are the tribes found mainly in the eastern state of Tripura.
Bhinjwari	The Binjhwaris or the Binjhals, live in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. Although their native language is Binjhwari, many of these people also speak Chhattisgarhi.
Bhotia	Known by names like Lahuli, Tinan, Lahauli, Rangloi and Gondla, these tribes are found in Himalayan Mountain ranges of Himachal Pradesh. They speak in Lahuli and Tinan.
Bhutia	These are Buddhists tribes found in Assam, along the border with Tibet and in Nepal. They are also known by the names Lhasa, Dalai, Pohbetian and Tebilian. They speak Tibetan.
Birhor	These tribes are found in the Hazaribagh, Singbhum and Ranchi districts of Bihar and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.
Bison Horn Maria	These are a small tribal group located mainly in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and also in parts of Madhya Pradesh. The designation “Bison Horn Maria” is derived from a distinctive headdress worn at marriage dances and adorned with the horns of now extinct wild bison. Many scholars believe that the Bison Horn Maria is part of the Gond tribe, while others consider them to be an earlier indigenous tribe assimilated by the Gonds.
Bombas	These are the Nomads inhabiting the rugged hills of Kashmir
Boro (Bodo)	These tribes are found in Assam.
Braj Bhakha	These tribes are located mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Their language, Braj Bhasha, is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family.
Bunde Soligas	These tribes are found in Karnataka.
Chakmas	Also known as Takam, these tribes are found in Assam, Meghalya, Tripura, West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh. They speak Chakma language.
Chameali Pahari	The Chameali Pahari tribes are primarily located in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Changs	These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland.
Chang-Pas	These are the tribes found in the northern upland valleys of the Indus River in Jammu & Kashmir. They j speak in Tibetan dialect.
Charan	These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Chekhasang	Chekhasang and Pouchry Tribes are found in the Phek District of Nagaland. Chakhesang culture and customs are quite different from the other Naga tribes. There are evidences of the existence of headhunting among the villagers in the ancient days.
Chenchus	Known variously as Chenchucoolam, Chenchwar, Chenswar and Choncharu, these tribes are found primarily in the state of Andhra Pradesh and also in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha. Their native language (also called Chenchus) belongs to the Dravidian language family. Many also speak Telugu.
Cheros	These tribes, which claim to be the descendants of the Rajputs, are found in Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and are primarily concentrated in Palamau, Shahabad, Champaran, and other surrounding districts. The Chero speak a language that is also called Chero.
Chettier	Chettier is the Hindu fishermen caste of Tamil Nadu.
Chola Naickans	Also known as Chola Naikar, these tribes are found mainly in the Nilambur jungle in Kerala. They speak Canarese, a dialect of Kannada.
Dafla	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Damarias	These tribes are found in Rajasthan.
Deori	These tribes live along the Brahmaputra River and are primarily located in the states of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language that is also called Deori. The Deori are one of the four divisions of the Chutiya people group and are also related to the Eastern Bodo-Garo.
Dhodia	The Dhodia are located in the extreme southeastern districts of Gujarat, in the hilly regions south of the Tapi River and in Dadra & Nager Haveli. The Dhodia are the highest ranking tribe and the third largest tribal group in Gujarat. They speak Dhodia, a Bhil language.
Dhurwa	These tribes are forest dwellers found mainly in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh and Koraput district of Odisha. They are considered as a sub-group of the Gond, the largest tribal group in India. They speak Parji in three dialects.
Dimasa	These are Proto-Austroloid tribes found in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Dog-Pa	Also known as Srin, Shrin and Brog-Pa, these tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. Their language is known as Shrin.
Dogris	These tribes are known by various names like Dogri-Kangri, Dhogaryali, Dogari, Dogri Jammu, Dogri Pahari, Tokkaru and Dogri-Kangra. They are mainly concentrated in Jammu and Kashmir between the Ravi and Chenab Rivers. Many Dogris also live in Pakistan. The Dogris are a hardy people, divided into several castes and sects. Their language is known as Dogri-Kangri.
Dorli	The Dorli, a sub-group of the Gonds, are concentrated in the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. Some also live in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Their language is also called Dorli.
Dubla	The Dubla live primarily in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. They speak Dubla, a Bhil language that belongs to the Indo-Aryan linguistic family. The Dubla tribe contains twenty sub-groups, of which the Talavias have the highest social ran.
Eravallan	These tribes are found in Kerala.
Gaddi	Known by names like Bharmauri Bhadi, Pahari Bharmauri, Panchi Brahmauri Rajput,Gaddyal and Gadi, these tribes are found in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Their language is also known as Gaddi.
Galong	These tribes, also known as Gallong, Gallo, Galo and Adi-Galo, live in Assam, along the Tibet border area. Their language is also known as Galong.
Gamit	These tribes are found in Karnataka.
Gamti	This is one of the Bhil tribes that live mainly in the Surat and Broach districts of Gujarat, India. Among the Bhil, the word gamta means “headman,” possibly giving the Gamti a feeling of superiority over other Bhil tribes. They speak Gamti, which is one of the Bhil languages.
Garhwali	The Garhwali or the Central Pahari are a hardworking and often isolated people who are primarily located in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Garos	The Garos or Achiks belong to the Bodo family of the Tibeto-Burman race and are found in Meghalaya. They are said to have migrated from Tibet.
Gonds	The Gonds comprise the largest tribal group in India. Historically, the Gonds were the most important group of the original Indian tribes. In the 1500’s, several Gond dynasties were established and their rajas or kings ruled like Hindu princes. The Gonds were conquered by the Muslim armies in 1592 but their tribes were not disturbed by the changes in administration.
Gongte	These tribes are found in Manipur.
Gosains	These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh.
Gotte	These tribes, also known as Podia Koya, are found in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Their language is Podia Koya, which is a dialect of Koya.
Gracias	These tribes, known by different names like Garasia, Rajput Girasia, Dungri Grasia andDhungri Bhili are found in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Their language is known as Garasia.
Halam	Halam or Malsum tribes are found in Tripura. They originally hailed from one of the branches of Kukis
Hanjis	These tribes are found along the Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley.
Harauti	The Harautis are located mainly in the Kota area of Rajasthan and also in parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Hilpulayan	These tribes are found in Kerala.
Hmar	These tribes are found in Mizoram.
Ho	The word “ho” means man. These tribes, which are also known as Lanka Kol and Bihar Ho, are found mainly in the Singbhum district of Bihar and theMayurbhanj district of Odisha, besides parts of West Bengal, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their language is also called Ho. These are classified as Caucasian.
Irula	In the Tamil, the name Irula means “people of darkness.” These tribes are known by different names like Eravallan, Erukala, Irava, Irular, Irular Mozhi, Iruliga, Iruligar, Korava, Yerukula and Kad Chensu. They are mainly concentrated in Chingleput at the Nilgiri foothills in Tamil Nadu. They are also found in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language, Irula, is related to Tamil and Kannada.
Jarawa	These tribes are found on the Rutland Island and the South Andaman Island. They speak the Jarawa language. Confluence of The Present with Tbe Past.
Jatapu	The Jatapu are mainly concentrated in the Srikakulam and Vishkapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Some communities are also found in the states of Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Their original language is called Jatapu but most of the Jatapu speakers have adopted Telugu as their mother tongue.
Juangs	These tribes are found in the Banspal taluk of the Keonjhar district of Odisha.
Jaunsaris	These tribes are found in Uttar Pradesh.
Kaikadi	The Kaikadis are a small tribal group located mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language (also called Kaikadi) is a member of the Dravidian language family.
Kamar	These are the scheduled tribes found primarily in the Raipur and Rewa districts of Madhya Pradesh.Their native language is also called Kamar.
Karbi	These tribes are found in Assam.
Kashtwari	They are located mainly in Jammu and Kashmir. Their language is known as Kishtwari.
Katakari	They are located mainly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Katkari.
Kathodia	These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli.
Kattunaickans	These tribes are found in Kerala.
Kawar	The Kawars are primarily located in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra. Their language, Kawari, is an Indo-Aryan language that is believed to be a dialect of Halbi.
Khambas	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Khamtis	Known by various names like Kham-Tai, Hkamti, Khampti, Khamti Shan, Khantis and Tai Kam Ti, these tribes are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar. Their language is described as Khamti.
Khandeshi	They are located mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Their language is also known as Khandesi.
Khasis	These tribes are found in Khasi-Jaintia hills in Meghalaya.
Khiamungans	These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland.
Khirwar	The Khirwar, a sub-group of the Gonds, live in the Sarguja district at the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Some speak the local Hindi dialect in addition to their own language, Khirwari.
Khorkhas	These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kipgen	These tribes are found in Manipur.
Kiutze	These tribes are located mostly near the Myanmar-Tibet border. Their language is known as Rawang.
Koch	These tribes live primarily in the states of Assam and Tripura.
Kodagu	The Kodagu (also known as the Coorg) live in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. The word kodagu means “situated to the west,” and their district, Coorg, stands in the ridges of the Western Ghat Mountains. They speak a Dravidian language that is also called Kodagu.
Kadamukudy	These tribes are found in Kadamukudy Island, near Kerala.
Kodavas	The Kodavas are the people living in the Kodagu region of Karnataka, which lies in the Western Ghats.
Kokni	Also known as Kukna, Kanara and Kokna, these tribes are found in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and in the Dang district of Gujarat. Their language is known as Kukna.
Kolam	Known by the names like Kolamboli, Kulme and Kolmi, these tribes are found mainly inhabit the hills and plains of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. They also live in the Yavatmal, Wardha and Nanded districts of Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called Kolami but can also speak Marathi, Telugu or Gondi. Around the twelfth century, the Kolam served as priests for the Gonds, representing some of their important gods.
Koli	These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli.
Konyaks	These tribes are found in the Mon district of Nagaland
Koras	These tribes are found in Bihar.
Korku	Known variously as Bondeya, Bopchi, Korki, Kurku and Kuri, these tribes are found in the southern Betul, Hoshangabad and East Nimar districts of southern Madhya Pradesh and Amravati, Buldana and Akola districts of northern Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Korku.
Korwa	The Korwas are one of the scheduled tribes of Central India. They live in the hills, valleys, and forests of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Munda language, also called Korwa, which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. There are two very distinct tribes among the Korwas: the Diharia (or Kisan), who are farmers, and the Paharia (or Benwaria), who live in the hills. These two tribes do not inter-marry.
Kota	Kota or Kotta are the tribes found in the Nilgiri Hills of Kotagiri, in Tamil Nadu. Their language is also known as Kota.
Kotwali	These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Koya	The Koyas live in the forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Many also live in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
Kui	Known by various names like Kuy, Kodi, Khond, Khondi, Khondo, Kanda, Kodulu and Kuinga, these tribes are found in the Udayagiri area of Odisha, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are a subgroup of a Dravidian tribe known as the Kqnd, which literally means “mountaineers.” They speak Kui, a Dravidian language.
Kuki	These tribes are found in the Kohima district of Nagaland and parts of Manipur and Assam.
Kulu Pahari	Known by names like Kauli, Kulu Boli, Kulu Pahari, Kulu Pahari, Kullui Pahar, Pahari Kullu, Phari Kulu, Kulvi, Kullui and Kulwali, these tribes are found primarily in Himachal Pradesh. They speak Kului and Hindi.
Kumaoni	These tribes are also known as Kumauni, Kumau, Kumawani, Kumgoni, Kumman and Kunayaoni and are found in Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nagaland.
Kurichiya	These tribes are found in the forest areas near Calicut, Tellichery and Waynad in Kerala where they were the earliest known inhabitants. They are also found in parts of Tamil Nadu.
Kurumba	These tribes are mainly concentrated in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and also found in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. They are also known as Kuruba, Kurumban Kurumvari and Southern Kanares. The Kuruba are considered closely related to the Pallavas of the eighth century. As the Pallava rule declined, the Kuruba’s forefathers scattered over a wide area of southern India and became culturally distinct. They speak a Dravidian language that is called Kurumba or Southern Kannada.
Labans	Described variously as Banajaras, Lambadi, Gola, Wanji and Singali, these tribes are found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. They speak a language called Lamani.
Labbai	These people are found in Tamil Nadu and claim to be the descendants of Arab traders.
Lahauli	These tribes are found in Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
Lalung	The Lalung tribe lives in the states of Assam and Meghalaya.
Lambada	These tribes are known by various names like Lambadi, Lavani, Lemadi, Lumadale, Banjara, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar- Herkeri, Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Gormati, Singali, Sugalis, Tanda, Vanjara and Wanji. The Lambadas originated in Rajasthan but are now concentrated in Andhra Pradesh. These are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal. They speak Lamani and Telugu.
Lepcha	Known by different names like Rong, Rongke, Rongpa and Nunpa, the people of this tribe are found in Sikkim, Kalimpong district of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan. Their language is known as Lepcha.
Lhoba	These tribes, which are found mostly in Arunachal Pradesh, are part of the Lhoba tribe of China. Their language, Lhoba, is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family.
Lohar	These tribes are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. They are known by various names such as Gade Lohar, Gaduliya Lohar, Lohpitta Rajput Lohar, Bagri Lohar and Bhubaliya Lohar. Their language is known as Gade Lohar.
Lothas	Lothas are the tribes found in the Wokha district of Nagaland. They are known for their colourful dances and songs particularly Shanta, Tokhu Emong and Pikhuchak.
Lushi	The Lushi (Shenlung) tribes are found in Mizoram and claim Jewish ancestry.
Madiga	These people belong to Andhra Pradesh and are known by different names like Gentoo, Tailangi, Telangire, Telgi, Tengu, Terangi and Tolangan.
Malakaras	The word “Malakkara” means “mighty people of the forests”. These tribes, which are also known as Mala Muthas, are found in Kerala. They speak Malamutha and Malayalam.
Malappanackers	These are the tribes found in Kerala. They speak Malappanackan and Malayalam.
Malmis	These tribes are found in Lakshadweep.
Malto	Known as Malti, Maltu, Malpaharia and Rajmahalia, these tribes are found in Rajmahal hills in Northeast Bihar and West Bengal. Their language is also called Malto.
Manipuri Jews	This community sees itself as descendants of the Menashe Tribe (which is considered as one of the 10 lost tribes of Jews). These people have Chinese appearance and they claim that after their forefathers were exiled and enslaved by the Assyrians they somehow escaped from slavery and moved initially to China and later to India. Known as the “Children of Menmasseh,” they live on the border of India and Burma, and a majority of them are believed to be Messianic Jews (believers in Jesus Christ — Yeshua). Their number is estimated to be about 1.2 to 1.5 million. Israelis refer to this people by the name Shinlung or Lushi.
Manjhi	These tribes live mainly in the Gumla district of Bihar and parts of West Bengal and Assam. Their primary language is Manjhi, but they also speak Sadri and Bihari.
Mappilla (Moplas)	These are the Muslim tribes found in Kerala’s northern coastal towns and the Lakshadweep Islands off the Malabar Coast. The Laccadive Mappilla are unique in that they have maintained a matrilineal society (line of descent is traced through the women) in spite of their Islamic beliefs.
Maria	The Maria or Muria are a sub-group of Gonds and live in the forests and hills of central India. They live along the Indrawati River, which flows through the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They are divided into two groups: the Maria and the Bison Horn Maria. The two groups have very little contact with each other, except during certain annual festivals.
Mauris	These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mavchi	The Mavchis are a sub-group of Bhils. Their language is also called Mavchi or Mawchi.
Mech	The Mech are mainly found in the forests and hills of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal and also parts of Assam. They are related to the Bodo and Kachari tribes and speak Bodo, a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family.
Meithei	These tribes are also known as Mitei, Manipuris, Kathe, Kathi and Ponna, and are found in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, besides Bangladesh and Myanmar. These tribes are of Mongol origin and speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Meithei. These tribes are found in Lakshadweep.
Melacheris	These tribes are found in Lakshadweep.
Meos	These are the rural tribes concentrated in the districts of Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan and in the Gurgaon district in Haryana. They speak in Marwari (Rajasthani).
Mikir	These tribes, which are also known by the names Mikiri, Manchati and Karbi, are found in the Mikir and Rengma Hills of Assam. Their language is called Mikir.
Mina	These tribes are found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Minicoy	These tribes are found in the Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep.
Mishing	These tribes are found in the Majuli Island of Arunachal Pradesh. They are also known as Miri. They speak Miri, a dialect of Adi.
Mishmi	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Mog	These are the Buddhist tribes found in Tripura, who claim to have originated from Arakan.
Mon	These tribes are found in the Ladakh region.
Monpa	Known by different names like Moinba, Monba, Mompa, Momba, Menpa and Memba, these tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tibet. They speak a language called Moinba.
Mru	The Mrus are primarily located in the region where the borders of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar intersect. They are concentrated in the Chittagong Hills in Bangladesh, Arakan Yoma district of Myanmar and in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The native language of these tribes is also called Mru.
Mundas	These tribes are also known by different names like Mundari, Mandari, Munari, Horo, Mondari and Colh. These are known as Adivasis in Odisha. They are found mainly in southern and western parts of the Ranchi district of Jharkhand and also in the states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura and West Bengal and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, besides Nepal and Bangladesh. Their language is called Mundari. Mundas are the most ancient among the tribes of Jharkhand.
Nahari	They are located mainly in the Raipur, Bilaspur, and Sambalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as parts of Odisha.
Naikda	These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Neethakani	These tribes are found mainly in the Neelwai vilage of Andhra Pradesh.
Nicobarese	These are the people of Mongoloid stock found on the Car Nicobar Island. These tribes are also known as Car and Pu.
Nihal	These tribes are found in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and are also known as Nihali, Nahal, Nahali and Kalto.
Nimadi	These tribes are located mainly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Nishi	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Nocte	These are the tribes found in Nagaland and are known by other names like Borduria, Jaipuria, Paniduria Mohongia and Namsangia.
Noniya Caste	The Noniyas are the traditional earth-workers of Uttar Pradesh.
Ojhas	These tribes are found in Madhya Pradesh.
Onges	These tribes are found on the Southern Andaman Islands, Little Andaman Island and the three small islands to the northeast. They are also known as Jarawas and speak the Jarawa language.
Oraon (Kurukh)	These tribes are found in Jharkhand and Odisha.
Oriya	These tribes are found mainly in Odisha and parts of Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. They are also known as Odri, Odrum, Ouya, Odisha, Uriya, Utkali, Vadiy and Yudhi.
Padhar	These tribes are found in Gujarat.
Paharis	These tribes are found along the foothills of the Himalayas, mainly in Himachal Pradesh.
Pangwalis	These tribes are found in Himachal Pradesh.
Panika	These tribes live primarily in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh and are divided into two broad groups: the Kabirpanthi and the Sakta.
Paniyan	These tribes are found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and are also known as Pania and Panyah.
Parhiya	These are mainly found on the hilltop forests of Bihar.
Pardhi	These tribes are known by different names as Bahelia, Chita Pardhi, Lango Pardhi, Paidia, Paradi, Paria, Phans Pardhi, Takankar and Takia. These tribes are found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their language is also described as Pardhi.
Pauri Bhuiya	These tribes, who are also known Bhuiya, Bhuinhar, Bhuinya, Bhuiyali, Bhumia, Bhungiyas and Bhuyan Oriya, are located in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Pawi	These tribes are found in Mizoram.
Phoms	These tribes are found in the Tuensang district of Nagaland.
Poouch	These tribes are found in Jammu & Kashmir. They speak Poochi, Urdu and Dogri languages.
Pramalai Kallar	These tribes are found in Tamil Nadu.
Porja	The Porja (or Konda-Dora) tribes are located in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Odisha. They speak a Dravidian language called Konda-Dora, (konda meaning “hill” and dora meaning “leader”). This name was given to them because of their descent from the great Kondh tribe. The Porja are well established as two groups: the Pedda Kondalu and Chinna Kondalu. The Pedda Kondalu have retained most aspects of their traditional culture, however, the Chinna Kondalu group has been heavily influenced by the Telugu.
Purig-Pa	These are people of Tibetan origin found in the Kargil district of Jammu & Kashmir. The people prefer to be culturally and linguistically identified with Tibet, although religiously with Islam.
Rabari	These are semi-nomadic people of Rajasthan.
Rabha	These tribes are found in Assam.
Raji	These tribes are found in Uttar Pradesh. Their language is also known as Raji.
Ralte	These tribes are found in Mizoram.
Reddy	These people are found mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are also known by other names like Mukha-Rora, Deddi-Dora and Conta-Reddi.
Rengma	These tribes are found in Tseminyu in the Kohima district of Nagaland. The Rengmas celebrate the popular festival of Ngada every year in November.
Riang	The Riangs are primarily located in the Deotamura ranges of eastern and central Tripura. Some tribes also live in Assam. These are considered as the second largest tribe of Tripura and the first inhabitants there. They speak a Baric language that is also called Riang.
Saharia	The Saharia or Sor live primarily in the state of Madhya Pradesh. They are also found in the hills of the Ganjam district of southern Odisha, as well as in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam. They speak a Munda language that belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family.
Sangtams	These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland.
Santhals	These tribes are found in Bihar, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal and Assam, besides Bangladesh and Nepal. They are also known by other names like Hor, Har, Satar, Santhali, Sandal, Sangtal, Sentali, Samtali and Santhial. They speak Santhali. They are considered as the largest tribe in India. The basis of Santhal religion is the belief that they are totally surrounded by bongas or spirits and frequently are visited by deceased ancestors.
Saurashtras	Saurashtrians are mostly silk weavers and silk thread merchants, originated in the Saurashtra region (present day Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra) in Northern India and later settled in Madurai and spread to Trichy, Salem, Kumbakonam and other surrounding areas of Tamil Nadu few centuries ago. j Their native language, also known as Sourashtra, is a pre-Gujarati language, which shows many archaic features of Gujarati and at the same time shows influence of other Aryan languages like Konkani and Marathi and of Dravidian Telugu and Tamil.
Sema	Sernas are considered to be the martial tribe among the Nagas. These tribes are concentrated in the Zunheboto district of Nagaland. Tuluni is one of the most important festivals observed by the Serna tribe in the second week of July every year.
Sentenelese	These are the tribes found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Sherdukpen	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sherpa	The Sherpa are a Himalayan people living primarily in eastern Nepal. A few of them, however, live in the mountains of the bordering Indian state of Sikkim and in the larger hill towns of the state of West Bengal. The Sherpa language is a dialect of Tibetan, thus it is a part of the Tibeto-Burman language family.
Shin	These people are found in the Dras Valley and Gurais area in Kishenganga Valley in northern Kashmir. They speak in an Indo-Aryan language called Shina.
Shompens (Shorn Peng)	These tribes live on the Great Nicobar Island. Their language is also described as Shorn Peng.
Siddis	These tribes are found in Goa.
Singpho	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Solung	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sondwari	These are the tribes found mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Sourastras	Described by various names such as Saurashtra, Saurashtri and Patnuli, these tribes are found in parts of Tamil Nadu. Their spoken language is described as Saurashtra.
Subernabaniks	They represent the rich merchant classes of West Bengal. The Subernabanik women are famous for their beauty. According to legends, the Subernabaniks originated in the princely kingdom of Oudh, near Bengal, during the reign of King Adisura about 1000 CE.
Tadvi Bhil	They live in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Their language, known as Dhanka, belongs to the Bhil subgroup of the Indo-Aryan linguistic family. The name Tadvi literally means “one who taps the palm tree” and is used to refer to all forest tribes.
Tagin	This tribe is found in Assam. They speak a language, which is also called Tagin. Some also speak Dafla or Nisi as a trade language.
Tangsa	These are the tribes found in Nagaland and in Myanmar. They are known by various names like Rangpan, Tasey and Chem Chang. Their language is Naga and Tangsa.
Tharu	These tribes are found in the northwest of Bihar and speak Tharu, a dialect of Bhojpuri.
Toda	According to some researchers, this tribe has links with the Sumerian people of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Their language is also known as Toda.
Totos	These tribes are found in West Bengal.
Tripuris (Tipera)	These tribes are primarily concentrated in the plains of Tripura and are indigenous to this area. They are the largest tribe in the state, and their land once extended over much of Bengal, Assam and northern Myanmar.
Tulu	These are fair-skinned people who are found mainly in Mangalore and South Kannara districts of Karnataka. They speak a Dravidian language, also called Tulu, which lacks a script.
Ullada	These tribes are found in Kerala.
Urali	These tribes are found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These are also known by the names Oorazhi and Urli and speak the Urali language.
Usipi	The Usipis are located predominantly in Assam and Tripura. Their language, Usipi (also known as Kok Barok), is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The Usipis are commonly characterized as Garo.
Varli	These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Wagdi	The Wagdis are considered as a sub-group of Bhils. The Wagdi language, also called Wagdi, belongs to the Bhil branch of the Indo-Aryan language family.
Wancho	Known by different names like Naga Wancho, Banpara Naga and Joboka, these tribes are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. They speak Naga and Wancho languages.
Wars	These tribes primarily inhabit the districts East of Meghalaya. They belong to the Proto-Austroloid MonKhmer race.
Wattal	These tribes are found in Jammu & Kashmir.
Yanadi	The Yanadi are dark skinned short-stature people found mainly in the Nellore and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. They speak Yanadi, which belongs to the Telugu language family.
Yeravas	These tribes are found in Karnataka.
Yerukala	The Yerukala live primarily in the Godivari district of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They speak Sankara-Yerukala, a Southern Dravidian language that is distinctly related to Tamil. Many of the Yerukala also speak Telugu. These tribes are also known by the names Yarukula, Yerukla, Erukala and Koraya.
Yimchungers	These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland.
Zakhring	These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh.
Zanskaris	These are the Buddhist tribes, ethnically similar to Tibetans, found in the Zanskar Mountains in the Leh-Ladakh and Kargil-Purik areas of Jammu and Kashmir. They speak Zanskari, a language related to Tibetan.

State-wise Arrangement of Major Tribes

State	Tribes
Andhra Pradesh	Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil Chenchus (Chenchawar), Gadabas, Gond, Goundu Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Dabba Yerukula Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis.
Arunachal Pradesh	Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong Momba, Sherdukpen, Singpho, Mishmi.
Assam	Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis Gangte.
Bihar	Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya Santhals, Savar.
Chhattisgarh	Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond Mawasi, Nagasia.
Goa	Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi,Varli.
Gujarat	Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta Paradhi , Patelia.
Himachal Pradesh	Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba Lahaulas, Pangwala, Swangla. Jammu and Kashmir : Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi.
Jharkhand	Birhors, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar.
Karnataka	Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Patelia, Yerava.
Kerala	Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis.
Madhya Pradesh	Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds ,Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias.
Maharashtra	Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis.
Manipur	Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Kuki, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou.
Meghalaya	Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba.
Mizoram	Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Synteng.
Nagaland	Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Serna.
Odisha	Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals.
Rajasthan	Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas(Minas), Patelia, Sahariya.
Sikkim	Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas.
Tamil Nadu	Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas.
Telangana	Chenchus.
Tripura	Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Haiam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte.
Uttarakhand	Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu.
Uttar Pradesh	Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu.
West Bengal	Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar.
Andaman and Nicobar	Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese Shompens.
Little Andaman	Jarawa
North-East	Abhors, Chang, Galaong, Singpho, Wancho.