Tribes of Western India Region
📍 States Covered: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Union Territories like Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu
Western India presents a diverse tribal landscape — from salt farmers in the saline desert of Rann of Kutch, to fishing communities along the Arabian Sea, to nomadic tribes resisting urbanization and deforestation. Many of these tribes are de-notified, others are PVTGs, and some are renowned for their art and agro-pastoral traditions.
🟠 Kokna Tribe
- 🗺️ Location: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
- 📚 Origins: Believed to be ancient inhabitants of the Konkan region.
- 🎭 Craftsmanship: Mask-making, bamboo and wooden crafts, brass and copper art.
- 🌱 Contemporary Issue: Opposing deforestation of Aarey Colony in Mumbai for metro construction — a case of urbanization vs tribal ecology.
🟠 Koli Tribe
- 🐟 Traditional Occupation: Fishing
- 🌆 Habitat: Coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat
- 🛠️ Urban Resistance: Built man-made ponds within Mithi River near Dharavi Slum to protect livelihood.
- 🔍 UPSC Lens: Urban tribal adaptation and livelihood resilience.
🟠 Meena Tribe
- 📍 Regions: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
- 🐐 Origins: Nomadic, animal-breeding community
- 🎨 Known for: Ambabari metal craft
- 🧠 Insight: Despite being STs, many Meenas are politically dominant, unlike most tribal groups — GS1 Sociology relevance.
🟠 Agariya Tribe (🔴 De-notified)
- 🌊 Occupation: Salt farming in the Little Rann of Kutch
- 🧂 Types of Salt:
- Sea salt = “Karkacch Salt”
- Crystal Salt = “Vadagaru” or “Poda”
- 🚫 Conflict: Restricted access to salt pans due to Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary
- 📜 Etymology: “Agar” = Salt farm
🔁 UPSC Link: Agariya = Tribal economy + conservation conflict = essay fodder 😊
🟠 De-notified Tribes (DNTs)
- 🛑 Background: Communities once listed as “criminal” under British Criminal Tribes Act, 1871–1947.
- ✅ Status: De-notified post-1952
- ⚖️ Still face marginalisation and lack of ST/OBC protection in many states.
🟠 Naikda (Nayaka)
- 🌄 Habitat: Forested Panchamahal Hills, Gujarat
- 🗡️ Revolt: Naikda Revolt (1868) against British led by Parmeshwar Joriya & Roop Singh Nayak
🟠 Saharia (🔴 PVTG)
- 🏞️ Regions: MP and Rajasthan
- 🌳 Catechu from Khair trees
- 👨👨👦 Family Structure: Elder son lives separately post-marriage; younger son inherits familial duties
- 🧑⚖️ Governance: Every adult is part of a community council headed by a hereditary Patel
🟠 Lambani / Sugali / Banjara
- 🗺️ Spread across: Rajasthan (origins), Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, AP, Odisha, Bihar, Bengal
- 🎭 Art: Lambani embroidery – “khilan” and “toon”
- 🧭 Status:
- ST in some states
- DNT in others
- OBC in many
- 🔁 Identity shifts with geography – crucial for UPSC’s sociological understanding of regional categorisation
📋 Table: Other Tribes of Western India
| Tribe | State(s) | Category/Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Bharwad / Gadaria | Gujarat | Herds livestock |
| Damor / Damaria | Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP | Agriculturists |
| Katkari / Kathodi | Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat | 🔴 PVTG, known for katha (catechu) making |
| Dhodia | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP | Hill and forest dwellers |
| Koli Dhor | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat | Cattle hide tanners, live in wadi settlements |
| Warli | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa | Famous for Warli art depicting nature worship |
| Patelia | Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh | Agriculturists |
| Bamcha | Gujarat, Maharashtra | Semi-nomadic |
| Barda | Gujarat, Maharashtra | Forest gatherers |
| Paradhi | Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP | 🔴 Denotified tribe |
| Charan / Gadhvi | Gujarat, Rajasthan | Pastoralists, bards, oral historians |
| Gamit | Gujarat | Indigenous group |
| Rathawa | Gujarat, Maharashtra | Tribal farmers and artisans |
🧠 Conceptual Integration for Mains:
| UPSC Theme | Connection |
|---|---|
| De-notified Tribes (DNTs) | Agariya, Paradhi – marginalised despite decriminalisation |
| Tribal Art and Culture | Warli art, Lambani embroidery, Ambabari metalcraft |
| Urbanisation vs Tribal Livelihood | Koli in Dharavi, Kokna in Aarey |
| PVTG and Forest Rights | Katkari and Saharia tribes |
| Tribal Revolts | Naikda Revolt – regional revolt against British exploitation |
🟢 Summary: Why Western Tribes Matter
- They showcase coastal ecology, salt economy, craft-based identity, and urban adaptation.
- The region contains several DNTs and semi-sedentary groups whose identity is inconsistent across states.
- UPSC asks about issues of identity, rights, and development — this region provides perfect case studies.