India our motherland is the home to large

number of indigenous or native inhabitants who

are commonly called TRIBES.
The term “tribe” originated from the Latin word
“tribus”.
They are also known by the name ‘ADIVASIS’ in
India.
A tribe possesses certain qualities and
characteristics that make it a unique cultural,
social, and political entity.
Some of the major tribes
of India include:
o Gond
o Bhil
o Santhal
o Khasi
o Chenchu
o Gaddi
o Jarawa
o One of the largest tribal groups in the world and the
largest in India.
o Found all over central India, in the states of Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
o Follows Hindu culture and traditions
o Gondi is their prime language.
o Agriculture is their main work, mainly sedentary
agriculture.
o Largest tribe of South Asia and second largest tribe of
India.
o Popularly known as ‘bowmen of Rajasthan.’
o Found in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
o Speaks Indo-Aryan language Bhili.
o Cultivation and hunting is their main livelihood.
o Third largest tribe in India.
o Mostly found in the states of West
Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and
Assam.
o Belongs to the Pre-Aryan period and are
great fighters since the British regime in
India.
o Speaks Austro-Asiatic language Santhali.
o They have their script called Oichiki.
o Engaged in hunting, fishing and
cultivation for their livelihood.
o Earliest immigrant tribes who came from Myanmar and
settled down in the plains of East Assam.
o Resides in different parts of India like the states of Assam,
Meghalaya, Manipur, West Bengal.etc.
o Speaks Austro-Asiatic language Khasi.
o Follower of Christianity.
o Music plays an important part in their life.
o Hindu Aboriginal tribes.
o Inhabit the Nallamalai hills of Andhra
Pradesh and also found in Tamil
Nadu, Orissa.
o Origin of Chenchu is connected to
Lord Malikarjuna of the Srisailim
Temple.
o Speaks Chenchu language with Telegu
accent.
o Primarily food gatherers and hunters.
o Resides in Kangra, Mandi and Bilaspur districts of
Himachal Pradesh.
o They are Gypsies in true nature as they always travel to
the pastures along their flocks.
o Follows both Hindu and Islam customs and traditions.
o Speaks in Gaddi language as well as in Hindi.
o Main occupation is shepherding.
o Jarawa or Jarwa means
“stranger” in the language of
the Great Andamanese.
o Inhabit the west portion of
South Andaman and Middle
Andaman.
o Speaks Andamani language.
o Food gathering, hunting and
fishing are their principal
occupations.
 The nature of what constitutes an Indian tribe and the
very nature of tribes have changed considerably over the
course of centuries.
 India has the largest population of such people, about
84.4 million in the world.
 There are around 645 distinct tribes in India.
 Constitution of India has recognized tribal communities in
India under ‘Schedule 5’ of the constitution.