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Geography

Tribal Population of Rajasthan

Demographic Characteristics, Tribes of Rajasthan

Paper II · Unit 3 Section 5 of 14 0 PYQs 36 min
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Tribal Population of Rajasthan

4.1 Overview and National Ranking

Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute 13.48% of Rajasthan's population — 92.38 lakh individuals as per Census 2011. This places Rajasthan 6th among Indian states by absolute tribal population. By percentage, tribal-dominant states like Mizoram (94.4%), Nagaland (86.5%), and Jharkhand (26.2%) are far ahead, but Rajasthan's large base creates significant absolute numbers.

State ST % (2011) Rank by %
Mizoram 94.4% 1st
Nagaland 86.5% 2nd
Meghalaya 86.1% 3rd
Arunachal Pradesh 68.8% 4th
Rajasthan 13.48% —
India (national avg) 8.6% —

Source: Census of India 2011, ST population tables

4.2 The 12 Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan

The Government of India notifies Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution. Rajasthan currently has 12 tribes on the ST schedule:

  1. Meena
  2. Bhil
  3. Garasia
  4. Dhanka
  5. Damor
  6. Seharia / Saharia
  7. Bhil Mina
  8. Naikda
  9. Kathodia / Kathodi
  10. Patelia
  11. Kokna / Kokni
  12. Kolimachia

Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Schedule of Scheduled Tribes (Rajasthan), as amended

4.3 Major Tribes: Distribution and Characteristics

4.3.1 Meena — 51% of ST Population

The Meena tribe is the largest tribal community in Rajasthan, comprising approximately 51% of the state's ST population (roughly 47 lakh people). They are concentrated in eastern and central Rajasthan — Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Alwar, Tonk, Karauli, and Bharatpur districts.

Meenas are primarily agriculturalists. They have historically claimed Kshatriya status and have complex socio-political relations with other communities. The Meena community is divided into two broad sub-groups: Zamindari Meenas (landed farmers) and Chowkidari Meenas (traditionally village watchmen). They worship Meenesh Bhagwan and observe the Meena Mahotsav festival.

Meenas are educationally and economically among the more advanced tribal communities — with significant representation in Rajasthan government services through ST reservations (26% ST reservation in state jobs). Politically, they are the dominant force in eastern Rajasthan's tribal constituencies and have produced several MLAs and MPs.

Language: Mewati dialect of Hindi/Rajasthani. Script: Devanagari.

4.3.2 Bhil — 39.7% of ST Population

The Bhil tribe is the second largest tribal community at approximately 39.7% of ST population (roughly 36.7 lakh). Bhils are one of India's most numerous tribal groups nationally. In Rajasthan, they concentrate in the southern and southeastern districts: Banswara (highest concentration), Dungarpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, and Pali.

Bhils are traditionally forest-dwellers, skilled hunters, and were historically renowned archers. The name "Bhil" possibly derives from the Dravidian word bil (bow). Their traditional economy combines shifting cultivation (known locally as valra or bewar), forest product gathering, and increasingly wage labour.

Key cultural features:

  • Baneshwar Mela: Held annually at the confluence of Som, Mahi, and Jakham rivers (Dungarpur, Magh month). One of the largest tribal fairs in India — attendance exceeds 5 lakh people. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Baneshwar Dham).
  • Ghoomar dance: Though now pan-Rajasthani, has Bhil origins.
  • Pithora painting: Sacred tribal art form — a wall painting tradition depicting their clan deity (Babo Pithora).
  • Marriage customs: Bride price (dapa) rather than dowry is the tradition — women are paid for, not married off with dowry. This is opposite to caste Hindu practice.
  • Language: Bhili (a western Indo-Aryan language with Dravidian substratum). Rajasthan Bhili has sub-dialects: Wagdi (Banswara-Dungarpur), Dungri (Udaipur), Bhilori.

Historically, the Bhil Sena (Bhil Militia) fought alongside Maharana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati (1576) under the Bhil chieftain Rana Punja — commemorated in the Bhil on Rajasthan's state emblem (standing beside Rajput warrior). See Topic #8 for the historical dimension.

4.3.3 Garasia

Garasia is the third-largest tribe in Rajasthan by population, found primarily in Sirohi and Pali districts (particularly in the Pindwara and Reodar areas). The name derives from giras (land grant) — they were originally land-grant recipients of Rajput chiefs.

Distinctive characteristics:

  • Pher/Mooriya marriage: Instead of a formal ceremony, the couple simply walk around a tree (pher) together — the most informal marriage system in Rajasthan. Some Garasia couples live together without any formal marriage rites, a practice called mooriya.
  • Gonch ceremony: Annual tribal assembly where community disputes are settled.
  • The Garasia trace their lineage from Rajput ancestors and consider themselves of higher status among tribal communities.
  • Traditional economy: pastoral (cattle-herding) and swidden agriculture.

4.3.4 Saharia — Rajasthan's Only PVTG

The Saharia tribe holds a unique administrative status: they are Rajasthan's only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Nationally, India has 75 PVTGs identified under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs — Saharia being among the most marginalized.

Distribution: Concentrated in Baran district (particularly Shahabad and Kishanganj tehsils) in southeastern Rajasthan. Also found in Kota and Jhalawar in smaller numbers.

Vulnerability indicators:

  • Pre-agricultural economy traditionally (food-gathering, forest products)
  • Very low literacy (Shahabad tehsil female literacy among the lowest in Rajasthan)
  • High levels of bonded labour (sahariya historically exploited as forest labourers)
  • Nutritional deprivation: Saharia belt hunger deaths in 2002–03 brought national attention, prompting Supreme Court intervention and strengthened PDS implementation

Special schemes for Saharia:

  • Saharia Development Programme — dedicated state scheme
  • Shahabad PVTG Cluster covered under PM Jan Man Yojana (2023) — ₹24,000 crore national scheme for 75 PVTGs
  • Special allocation in Rajasthan's tribal sub-plan

Language: Sahariya (a form of Bundeli/Hindi). Their traditional knowledge of forests (herbal medicine, edible plants) is being documented under tribal knowledge programmes.

4.3.5 Damor

Damor (also spelled Dhamor) is a small but distinct tribe found primarily in Dungarpur district, particularly in the Simalwara area. They are closely related to the Bhil but distinct in customs and are separately listed in the ST schedule. Traditional occupation: agriculture and wage labour. The Damor community has lower literacy and higher vulnerability than Meenas and Bhils. They speak a dialect of Wagdi (Bhil sub-language).

4.3.6 Kathodi / Kathodia

Kathodi (also Kathodia or Katkari) are found in small numbers in southern Rajasthan, primarily in Udaipur and Sirohi districts. They derive their name from their traditional occupation: extracting katha (catechu, a tannin extract) from khair trees. Kathodi are among the more economically vulnerable tribes and have been traditionally semi-nomadic.