Largest Tribe in India – States with Highest Tribal Population in India Census 2011

Largest Tribe in India

The state that has the highest tribal population in India is Madhya Pradesh, according to the Census 2011. The list of 10 states comprising the highest tribal population in India is,

• Madhya Pradesh (Highest ST population state in India 2011 census)
• Orissa
• Maharashtra
• Rajasthan
• Chhattisgarh
• Gujarat
• Jharkhand
• Andhra Pradesh
• West Bengal
• Karnataka

Largest Tribes in India Census 2011

The two highest scheduled tribe population in India, namely, Bhil and Gond characterizations, have been illustrated below.

Largest Tribal Population in India

According to Census Report 2011, tribes constitute 8.6% of India’s population or about 104 million tribal individuals. These groups of tribes are the inhabitants of the Khargone, Dhar, Jhabua, and Ratlam communities of Madhya Pradesh.

• The Bhil culture is different and rich.
• The traditional folk dance of the largest tribal group of India is known as Ghoomar, which is a sign of Womanhood.
• The primary food cultivated by the tribal people is onion, chilli, maize, and garlic.
• On special occasions, the biggest tribe in India consume rice and wheat.
• Men traditionally wear dresses known as Angarkha, Gamchha, Dhoti, or Pagri, and women traditionally wear Ghagra Choli and Sari.

Bhil Art:

Bhil, the largest tribe in India, has a tribal art called the Bhil art. The theme that the art represents is the everyday life of the tribal people.

• The brushes used to create Bhil art are known as Neem twigs.
• Their paintings are referred to as the Pithora painting.
• Bhil people belonging to the largest tribe in India, use pigments to promote this art made from natural ingredients like flowers and leaves.
• One of the most remarkable features of Bhil art is the dots which protect the whole plain background.
• Dots are duplicated in stunning designs and colours.
• The group of dots are symbols for gods or ancestors.

Gond – Second Largest Tribe in India

Gonds are the highest ST population state in India and are found in Central and South-Central India. Gond tribes can be found in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Gonds worship village divinities; they don’t have a consistent culture.
• They speak the language prevalent in the area, and the majority speak a dialect named Gondi, an unwritten language.

Largest Tribe in India – Highest ST Population State

Look at various states in India having the largest tribe in India. Check out which is the highest tribal population state in India.

Tribal Population in India (States)	Largest Tribal Group of India
Andhra Pradesh	Gond, Goundu, Jatapus, Andh, Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Bhagata, Bhil, Dabba Yerukula, Sugalis, Banjara, Gadabas, Kammara, Koya, Sadhu Andh, Mukha Dhora, Valmiki, Chenchus (Chenchawar), Pardhan, Kolawar, Rona, Manna Dhora, Savaras, Kattunayakan, Kolam, Konda, Kondareddis, Yenadis, Sugalis, Lambadis.
Arunachal Pradesh	Taroan, Dafla, Apatanis, Sherdukpen, Galong, Momba, Nyishi, Singpho, Monpa, Wancho, Tagin, Adi, Abor, Mishmi, Idu
Assam	Borokachari, Kachari, Sonwal, Chakma, Garos, Khasis, Gangte, Dimasa, Chutiya, Hajong, Karbi, Boro, Miri, Rabha, Garo
Bihar	Asur, Chero, Santhals, Savar, Kharwar, Banjara, Gond, Birhor, Parhaiya, Baiga, Birjia, Oraon, Santal, Tharu
Chhattisgarh	Nagasia, Gond, Binjhwar, Agariya, Khond, Mawasi, Halba, Halbi, Bhattra, Kawar, Bhaina, Biar, Sawar
Goa	Dubia, Siddi, Naikda, Dhodia, Varli, Gawda.
Gujarat	Barda, Paradhi, Patelia, Dhanka, Dhodia, Gamta, Dubla, Talavia, Bhil, Halpati, Bamcha, Charan, Kokna, Naikda, Patelia, Rathawa, Siddi.
Himachal Pradesh	Gujjars, Khas, Pangwala, Lahaulas, Swangla, Lamba, Gaddis, Beta, Beda Bhot, Bodh.
Jammu and Kashmir	Balti, Purigpa, Beda, Mon, Sippi, Gaddi, Bakarwal, Garra, Changpa, Gujjar.
Jharkhand	Birhors, Kharwar, Santhals, Lohra, Mahli, Mundas, Savar, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Bedia, Ho, Parhaiya, Santal, Kol, Banjara.
Karnataka	Barda, Bhil, Adiyan, Patelia, Iruliga, Hasalaru, Gond, Koraga, Yerava, Koli Dhor, Marati , Meda, Naikda, Soligaru.
Kerala	Adiyan, Kattunayakan, Moplahs, Kurichchan, Malai arayan, Uralis, Irular, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Kanikaran, Muthuvan.
Madhya Pradesh	Baigas, Katkari, Kharia, Kol, Bharia, Birhors, Khond, Gonds, Murias, Korku, Mawasi, Bhils, Pardhan, Sahariya
Maharashtra	Bhaina, Kathodi, Kokna, Koli Mahadev, Bhunjia, Rathawa, Katkari, Warlis, Dhodia, Khond, Dhanka, Halba, Pardhi, Thakur
Manipur	Meitei, Aimol, Angami, Naga, Monsang, Thadou, Kuki, Chiru, Maram, Paite, Purum, Anal, Mao, Tangkhul, Thadou, Poumai Naga
Meghalaya	Chakma, Hajong, Garos, Lakher, Jaintias Khasis, Pawai, Raba, Mikir
Mizoram	Chakma, Khasi, Lakher, Raba, Dimasa, Pawi, Kuki, Synteng, Lushai
Nagaland	Angami, Kuki, Sema, Garo, Mikir, Kachari, Ao, Chakhesang, Nagas, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam,
Odisha	Gadaba, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals, Bathudi, Bathuri, Bhottada, Bhumij, Gond, Kharia, Juang, Kolha, Kora, Khayara, Kisan, Khond, Matya, Koya, Munda, Paroja, Saora, Ghara, Shabar, Lodha.
Rajasthan	Bhils, Naikda, Nayaka, Damaria, Meenas(Minas), Kathodi, Dhanka, Patelia, Sahariya
Sikkim	Lepchas, Limboo, Bhutia, Khas, Tamang
Tamil Nadu	Adiyan, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Todas, Kurumans, Malayali
Telangana	Chenchus
Tripura	Bhil, Halam, Chaimal, Khasia, Lushai, Bhutia, Chakma, Mizel, Namte, Mag, Munda, Riang
Uttarakhand	Buksa, Khas, Bhotias, Raji, Jannsari, Tharu
Uttar Pradesh	Bhotia, Jaunsari, Gond, Kharwar, Buksa, Kol, Tharu, Saharya, Raji, Parahiya, Baiga, Agariya, Chero
West Bengal	Asur, Rabha, Santhals, Savar, Bhumij, Hajong, Parhaiya, Bhutia, Chik Baraik, Kisan, Kora, Khond, Lodha, Kheria, Khariam, Ho, Mahali, Mal Pahariya, Oraon
Andaman and Nicobar	Onges, Sentinelese, Oraons, Shompens

What is a Tribe in India?

A tribe is a social department in a traditional society comprising families linked by economic, religious, social, or blood ties with a shared culture and dialect. A tribe contains certain qualities and attributes that make it a unique political, cultural, and social entity.

☛ Related Links:

• Major Tribes of India
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
• Tribal Movements in India
• Criminal Tribes Act 1871