Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 193 words written
Geographical Classification of 'Indian Tribes.'
Opening · a definition
Tribes are the original inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent. Tribes is a term, for colonial construct for a disparate group of communities which are distant from the hindu civilization i.e not a caste based-peasant society.
[Tribes] are generally defined in what it is not i.e not a caste society distinct from peasant hindu society.
[Permanent Traits] such as geographical classification, size of groups, racial characteristics, ecological habitat & language are used for classifying different tibes.
Accordingly [geographical classification] of tribes is as follows:-
Body · points
- 8% of Indian population is Tribe.
- 85% of this is located in Central India - across 9 states of - 'Himachal Pradesh'
- Gujrat - Rajasthan - Madhya Pradesh
- Jharkhand - Orissa - Chattisgarh
- Maharashtra - Andhra Pradesh:
The population percentage of these tribes in states is < 12%.
11% of the tribes live in North east states forming upto 60-90% of state populations, except Assam.
Rest 3% dispersed across India such as Andaman Nicobas etc.
→ Criticism: Geographical distinction may not be very characteristic of tribes as many tribal groups - Santhals, Mundas, spread across India.
Close · a summary
Conclusion: Important indicators for rudimentary tribes.