Largest Tribe in India – States with Highest Tribal Population in India Census 2011
By Balaji
Updated on: March 16th, 2023
Bhil is the largest tribe in India, constituting roughly 38% of the total scheduled tribal population. According to the largest tribes in India census 2011, Bhil majorly speaks Bhil, and other languages they know well are Gujarati and Marathi. Bhil tribes, also regarded as the largest tribe in India, are discovered in the following states:
- Chhattisgarh
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Rajasthan
- Tripura
Largest Tribe in India PDF
The Scheduled Tribes form the largest ratio of the overall population in Mizoram and Lakshadweep followed by Meghalaya and Nagaland. Lok Sabha reserves 47 seats for Scheduled Tribes. This article will provide complete information about the largest tribe in India and which state has the highest tribal population in India.
Table of content
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1. Largest Tribe in India
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2. Largest Tribes in India Census 2011
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3. Largest Tribe in India – Highest ST Population State
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4. What is a Tribe in India?
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.
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