Tribes of Central India
Central India—covering Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Maharashtra, Bihar, UP, Telangana—is the cradle of tribal diversity. Many of India’s oldest and culturally unique tribes reside here, often deeply connected to forest ecosystems, animistic religions, and shifting cultivation.
🟠 Khond Tribe
- Largest tribal group of Odisha, also in Jharkhand, MP, Maharashtra, etc.
- Speak Kui (Dravidian language family).
- Sub-group: Dongria Khond – declared PVTG.
🎯 Dongria Khond & Environmental Justice:
- They live in the Niyamgiri Hills.
- Fought against bauxite mining by Vedanta.
- 2013 Supreme Court Judgment: Upheld Gram Sabha’s consent under Forest Rights Act— landmark for tribal rights & ecological governance.
🟠 Gond Tribe
- Found in MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, etc.
- Four Subgroups: Raj Gonds, Madia, Dhurve, Khatulwar.
- Language: Gondi (Dravidian).
- Culturally rich: Ghotul (youth dormitory), Sulur flute, and millet diet.
🧠 Fun Fact: Ghotuls are not just social spaces but tools of tribal pedagogy — youth learn values, language, and customs.
🟠 Santhal Tribe
- Primarily in Jharkhand, Odisha, WB, Bihar.
- Speak Santali (Austroasiatic – Munda branch).
- Practice agriculture, sericulture, and worship Bonga spirits.
📌 Cultural Uniqueness:
- Manjhi-Paragana system: A democratic local tribal governance structure.
- Sacred groves at village periphery preserve biodiversity.
- Draupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal woman President, is from this tribe.
🟠 Bhil Tribe
- Spread across MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
- India’s largest tribe: ~38% of ST population (2011).
- Name from billu = bow → known for archery and guerrilla tactics.
📍 Mangarh Massacre (1913):
- British army killed 1500+ Bhils in Rajasthan.
- Led by Govind Guru.
🛕 Declared National Monument in 2022 → sometimes called “Adivasi Jallianwala”.
🟠 Oraon (Kurukh/Dhangar) Tribe
- Reside in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra.
- Speak Kurukh (Dravidian).
- History of migration to tea plantations and abroad during colonial period (e.g., Fiji, Trinidad = Hill Coolies).
🟠 Bison Horn Maria
- Sub-tribe of Gonds, found in Chhattisgarh, MP.
- Known for wearing bison horn-shaped headgear during dances and rituals.
- Forest dwellers, practice shifting cultivation, rely on minor forest produce.
🟠 Munda Tribe
- Inhabit Chotanagpur Plateau: Jharkhand, WB, Tripura, Odisha.
- Speak Munda (Austroasiatic).
- Famous for reverence of buried ancestors (sasandiri = burial stone).
- Nupur Dance performed with anklets.
- Festival: Magha/Ba – Spring thanksgiving.
🟠 Baiga Tribe (🔴 PVTG)
- Reside in MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, WB.
- Known as sorcerers, expert in tattooing and folk medicine.
- In 2023, became 2nd PVTG to get habitat rights (after Kamar tribe).
- Semi-nomadic → depend on forest produce, honey, herbs.
🧠 Cultural Belief: After a death, entire household is rebuilt.
🟠 Kamar Tribe (🔴 PVTG)
- Found in Chhattisgarh and MP.
- Livelihood: Bamboo craft, barter-based exchange at haats.
- 1st PVTG in Chhattisgarh to get habitat rights under Forest Rights Act.
🟠 Birhor Tribe (🔴 PVTG)
- Semi-nomadic, Austroasiatic speakers.
- Found in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra.
- Live in tanda (forest-edge hamlets).
- Believe in animism + naturalism + spirit worship.
- Continue barter system as cultural economy.
🟠 Kol Tribe
- Spread across Chotanagpur, MP, Jharkhand, UP, etc.
- Known for the Kol Rebellion (1831) against British, led by:
- Buddhu Bhagat
- Joa Bhagat
- Madara Mahato
🧠 Insight: Among the earliest tribal uprisings—reflects how exploitation led to resistance.
📊 Summary Table – Key Tribes of Central India
| Tribe | Language Family | Special Identity |
|---|---|---|
| Khond | Dravidian (Kui) | Niyamgiri & Forest Rights |
| Gond | Dravidian (Gondi) | Youth dormitory – ghotul |
| Santhal | Austroasiatic (Munda) | Manjhi governance; sacred groves |
| Bhil | Indo-Aryan | Largest tribe; Mangarh massacre |
| Oraon | Dravidian (Kurukh) | Hill Coolies; tea plantation diaspora |
| Baiga | PVTG | Tattooing; 2023 habitat rights |
| Kamar | PVTG | Bamboo artisans; 1st habitat rights |
| Munda | Austroasiatic | Ancestor reverence (sasandiri) |
| Bison Horn Maria | Dravidian | Unique headgear & dance |
| Birhor | Austroasiatic (Munda) | Semi-nomadic, barter, animism |
| Kol | Austroasiatic | Anti-colonial Kol revolt |
🗺️ Other Notable Tribes (in brief)
| Tribe | State(s) | Special Note |
|---|---|---|
| Agaria | MP, Chhattisgarh | Traditional iron smelters |
| Pahari Korwa | Chhattisgarh | Kolarian group |
| Abhuj Maria | Chhattisgarh | Sub-tribe of Gond |
| Bhunjia | Odisha, MP | 🔴 PVTG in Odisha |
| Dhanwar | MP, Jharkhand | Agriculturists |
| Mawasi, Nagasia | MP, Chhattisgarh | Agriculturists, distinct dialects |
| Bhaina, Bhattra, Pardhan | MP, Odisha | Localized sub-groups |
| Biar, Dhulia | MP, AP | Cultural overlap with Gonds |
🧭 Conceptual Takeaways (UPSC Focus)
| Theme | Significance |
|---|---|
| Language Diversity | Austroasiatic (Santhal, Munda), Dravidian (Khond, Gond), Indo-Aryan (Bhil) |
| Cultural Resilience | Ghotul system, Sacred groves, Animism, Traditional medicine |
| Legal Empowerment | Habitat rights under Forest Rights Act |
| Resistance Movements | Kol Rebellion, Bhil Uprising (Mangarh) |
| PVTGs | Forest dependence, Low literacy, unique identity |