Development Team

Paper No. : 04 Indian Anthropology Module : 03 Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Development Team

Principal Investigator Prof. Anup Kumar Kapoor Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi

Paper Coordinator Prof. Anup Kumar Kapoor Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi

Prof. Anup Kumar Kapoor Content Writer Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi

Prof. Subir Biswas , Department of Anthropology, Content Reviewer West Bengal State University, Barasat, West Bengal

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Description of Module

Subject Name Anthropology

Paper Name 04 Indian Anthropology

Module Name/Title Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Module Id 03

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

CONTENTS 1. Introduction. 2. Racial elements in India. 3. Ethnic elements in India. 4. Religious element in India. 5. Linguistic element of India. 6. Languages specified to schedule viii to the constitution of India. 7. Conclusion.

OBJECTIVES 1. To determine the racial element of India. 2. To determine the ethnic element of India. 3. To determine the religious element of India. 4. To determine the linguistic element of India. 5. To understand the variation in people of India in different geographical regions.

Introduction

INDIA is a Multicultural country.  The study of different socio-cultural and genetic variability defined the population of India more appropriately.  India is the world's second most populous nation (after China). Its ethnic composition is complex, but two major strains predominate: the Aryan, in the north, and the Dravidian, in the south. India is a land of great cultural diversity, as is evidenced by the enormous number of different languages spoken throughout the country. Although Hindi (spoken in the north) and English (the language of politics and commerce) are used officially, more than 1,500 languages and dialects are spoken. The Indian constitution recognizes 15 regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu).  About 80% of the population is Hindu, and 14% is Muslim. Other significant religions include Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists. There is no state religion.  India is a fascinating country where people of many different communities and religions live together in unity. Indian Population is polygenetic and is an amazing amalgamation of various races and cultures.  People of different groups in India living here for hundreds or even thousands of years and correspondingly try to maintain their individual identity even by living side by side.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 Also, Anthropologist‘s commitment towards the grasping of different information and the dynamics of communities and populations.  India with 1000 million people is one of the world‘s top twelve mega diversity countries.  Different groups are present in India, like from stone-age food gatherers to agriculturists. They also engaged in mechanized and chemicalised agriculture, mechanized fishing, tapping off shore oil and natural gas, running atomic power plants and producing computer software.  According to Bhasin and Walter (2001); India is a homeland of over 4000 populations, 3700 endogamous groups are structured in Hindu caste system as ‗JATIS‘ and a 1000 of Mendelian Population which are autochthonous and religious communities.  Thus, India offers a cauldron where the processes of unification as well as fragmentisation are unceasingly taking place.

Racial elements of India

Racial groups  Although, there are no strict rules to diversify different races; but Anthropologists distinguish groups on the basis of common origin, living in certain defined regions and different characteristic features on the basis of geographical regions.  Modern man, biologically uniform in basic features (for example; upright posture, well-developed hand and feet, absence of bony eyebrow etc.). Scientists depict all human beings into single species i.e. Homo sapiens.  However, differentiation in groups can be seen on the basis of different geographical regions.  Complexity of Indian population by the continuous influence of other new racial elements from outside can be manifested by the classification of different racial elements by different Anthropologists. CLASSIFICATION OF DIFFERENT RACIAL ELEMENTS OF INDIA CLASSIFICATION FEATURES ANTHROPOLOGISTS 1. SIR HERBERT (a.) Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color – HOPE Very Dark; Hair - Dark and Curly; RISLEY(1915) : It is Head - Long ; Eyes - Dark ; Nose on the basis of physical Form - Very Broad; Stature- characters based on nine anthropometric Short height. measurements of 5784 Distribution: Madras, Hyderabad, 4

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

individuals. Paniyans of South India, Santals of Chota Nagpur. (b.) Indo-Aryan Morphological Features: Skin Color - Fair; Hair-Brown to Black,Wavy to Curly; Head - Long; Eyes-Dark; Nose Form -Long, and Narrow; Stature- Tall. Distribution: Inhabitants of Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir represented by the Rajputs, Khattris and Jats. (c.) Mongoloid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark with Yellowish tinge; Hair – Dark and Straight; Head - Broad; Eyes- Oblique and Epicanthic Fold; Face - Broad; Nose Form- Fine to Broad; Stature-Short to Below Medium height. Distribution: Kannets of Lahul, Kulu, Lepchas, Limbus of Nepal. (d.) Aryo-Dravidian (results Morphological Features: Skin Color - in admixture between Aryan light brown to dark; Hair - Dark Brown males and Dravidian to Black, Wavy to Curly; Head- Long Females) with tendency towards Medium; Eyes - Dark; Nose Form - Medium to Broad; Stature - Short to Medium height. Distribution: Uttar Pradesh, parts of Rajputana, Behar and Sri Lanka. (e.) Mongolo-Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark; Hair - Black, Wavy Hair; Head - Broad to Medium; Eyes – Dark; Nose Form- Medium to Broad; Stature - Short to Medium.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Distribution: Bengali Brahmins and Kayasthas, Mohammedans. (f.) Scytho-Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Fair; Head -Dark Brown to Black, Wavy to Curly; Head- Medium to Broad; Eyes- Dark; Nose Form- Medium; Stature - Medium Distribution: Western India, including the Maharashtrian Brahmins, Kunbis and Coorgs. (g.) Turko-Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Fair; Hair-Medium Brown to Black, Wavy to Curly; Head – Broad; Eyes - Dark, Grey; Nose Form -Fine to Medium; Stature-Tall. Distribution: Baluchis, Brahuis, Afghans.

2. GIUFRIDA- (a.) Negrito Veddas and Kadars of South India. RUGERRI(1921) (b.) Pre-Dravidian or Santal, Ho, Munda, Oraons. Australo-Veddic (c.) Dravidian Tamil and Telegu speakers. (d.) Tall Dolicocephal Toda group (e.) Delicocephalic Aryan Indo – Afghans, Indo-Iranian. (f.) Brachycephalic Armenians, Georgeanus etc. Leucoderm

3. A.C. (a.) The Himalayan Region Morphological feature: Skin Color- HADDON(1924) Olive Brown to Coppery Brown; Hair - Coarse in texture; Head - Broad; Face - Broad; Nose Form - Short and flat, Eyes - Narrow, Oblique; Stature - 6

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Short and body. Distribution: people of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Assam (i.) Indo-Aryan Morphological feature: Skin Color- Brown with varying shades; Head- Long; Nose Form- Long; Stature- Tall. Distribution: Kanets of Kulu valley. (ii.) Mongoloid Distribution: dominates in North Eastern India like Lepcha, Garo, Naga, Khasi. (b.) The Northern Plains or Hindustan Region

 Indo-Afghan Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light Brown; Hair – Black and Wavy; Head – Long; Face - Long; Eyes - Dark; Nose Form - Fine and prominent; Stature - Medium to Tall. Distribution: Jats, Rajputs (c.) The Southern Plateau or The Deccan Region (i.) Negrito Morphological features: Head- Medium; Nose Form- Flat; Skin Color- Dark; Hair- Black; Eyes- Brown. Distribution: Kadars of Cochin, Urallis of Nilgiri Hills, Andamanese. (ii.) Pre-Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color- Dark Brown to Black; Hair – Dark and Curly; Head – Long; Eyes - Dark;

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Nose Form – Broad; Stature- Short. Distribution: Bhil, Gond, Oraon, Santal (iii.) Dravidian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Brownish Black; Hair – Dark; Head – Long; Eye -Dark; Nose Form- Medium; Stature -Medium. Distribution: Malayams, Telegu, Tamil, Cancrease, speakers. (iv.) Southern Morphological Features: Skin Color - Brachycephals Brown; Head- Medium to Broad; Nose Form -Medium. Distribution: Panyan in Tamil Nadu, Pavara of Tinnevelly Coast. (v.) Western Morphological Features : Skin Color - Brachycephals Light Brown; Head- Broad; Nose Form- Long; Stature – Tall.

Distribution: Nagar Brahmans of Gujarat; people from Gujarat to Coorg.

4. EGON FREIHERR (a.) Weddid or Ancient Primitive people living in the Forest. von EICKSTEDT Indians (1934) (i.) Gondid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark brown. Distribution: Juangs, Bhils, Oraons, Gonds form Central India. (ii.) Malid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark Brown; Hair – Curly form;

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Stature – Short. Distribution: Kurumber, Weddah from South India. (b.) Melanid or Black Indians (i.) South Melanid Morphological Features: Skin Color – Black. Distribution: Yanadis (ii.) Kolid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Black Brown, Hair - Dark and Curly; Stature - Short; Distribution: Munda, Ho, Santal etc. (c.) Indid or New Indians Occupy Open regions of India. (i.) Gracile Indid Morphological Features: Skin - Brown. Distribution: Bengalis. (ii.) North indid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light Brown. Distribution: Rajputs of North India. (d.) Palae-Mongoloid Show Mongoloid Characters.

5. B.S. GUHA (1937): (a.) Negrito Morphological Features: Skin Color - It is based on the Dark Brown to Dark Black; Hair - analysis of 29 Woolly; Head - Small, Round, Medium characters and 63 crude or Long; Eyes - Dark, Nose Form - coefficients of racial Straight, Flat and Broad; Stature- likeness of different Very Short height or Pygmy. measurements of 2511 persons belonging to 34 Distribution: Kadars, Pulayans groups with reference to anthropometric (b.) Proto-Australoid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark Brown; Hair – Dark, Wavy and 9

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

techniques of the Curly; Head -Long; Eyes - Dark; Nose International Form- Broad; Stature – Short. Agreements of 1906 Distribution: Urali, Baiga and 1912. (Rewa),Chenchu, Kannikar, Kondh, Bhil, Santal, Oraon. (c.) Mongoloid Morphological Features: Hair- Straight, Eyes- showing Epicanthic fold. (i.)Palaeo-Mongoloid (*)Long-Headed Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark to Light Brown; Hair - Dark, Straight; Head- Long, Face - Short and Flat; Nose Form- Medium; Stature – Medium. Distribution: tribal groups of Assam (Sema, Nagas); Nepal (Limbus) (*) Broad-Headed Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark; Hair - Dark, Straight; Head- Broad; Eyes – Oblique and show Epicanthic fold; Nose Form - Medium; Stature- Medium. Distribution: Lepchas of Kalimpong; Chakmas, Maghs of Chittagong. (ii.) Tibeto-Mongoloid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light Brown; Hair- Dark and Straight; Head- Broad and Massive; Face - Long and Flat; Eyes – Oblique and show Epicanthic fold; Nose Form- Long to Medium; Stature – Tall. Distribution: Tibetans of Bhutan and Sikkim (d.) Mediterranean

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

(i.) Palae- Morphological Features: Skin Color - Mediterranean Dark; Hair - Dark, Wavy to Curly; Head- Long and narrow; Face – Narrow; Eyes - Dark; Nose Form- Small and Broad; Stature – Medium. Distribution: Tamil Brahmans of Madura, Nairs of Cochin, and Telegus Brahmans. (ii.) Mediterranean Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light; Hair - Dark; Head - Long; Face - Long; Eyes - Dark Brownish to Dark; Nose Form - Narrow and Prominent; Stature - Medium to Tall. Distribution: Numbudiri Brahmans of Cochin, Allahabad, Bengal and Marathas. (iii.) Oriental Morphological Features: Almost all characteristics of the Mediterranean type except the nose form- long and convex. Distribution: Punjabi Chettris and Pathans. (e.) The Western Brachycephals (i.) Alpinoid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light; Hair - Dark Brownish to Dark, Wavy; Head- Broad; Face -Round; Eye – Dark Brown; Nose Form - Prominent; Stature – Medium. Distribution: Bania of Gujarat, Kathi of Kathiawar, Kayasthas of Bengal. (ii.) Armenoid Morphological Features: Similar to

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Dinaric. Distribution: Parsis of Bombay. (iii.) Dinaric Morphological Features: Skin Color- Darker; Hair - Dark; Head- Broad; Face - Long; Eyes - Dark; Nose Form - Very long, convex; Stature – Tall. Distribution: Brahmans of Bengal; Kanarese Brahmans of Mysore. (f.)The Nordics Morphological Features: Skin Color - Fair; Hair - Brown to Dark, Wavy; Head- Long; Eyes - Bluish; Nose Form - Fine, Narrow; Face - Long and Straight; Stature - Tall. Distribution: People of Punjab, Rajputana, Kaffirs, Kathash.

6. S.S. (a.)Dolicocephals SARKAR(1961) (i.) Australoid Morphological Features: Skin Color - Dark; Hair – Dark and Wavy; Head- Long; Eye - Dark; Nose Form- Broad; Stature – Short height. Distribution: Urali, Kannikar, Malapantarram, Paniyan, Kadar etc. (ii.) Indo-Aryan Morphological Features: Skin Color- Light; Hair - Brownish Dark; Head - Long and massive; Eyes - Not Dark; Stature – Tall. Distribution: Baltis is of Hindukush. (iii.) Mundari-Speakers Morphological Features: Skin Color- Lighter; Hair-Dark and Thick Straight; 12

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Head- Long; Stature – Short. Distribution: Chota Nagpur, Orissa Hills and Madhya Pradesh. The people are Santhal, Juang, and Savara. (b.) Mesocephals (iv.) Irano-Scythian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Light Brown; Head- Medium. (c.) Brachycephals (v.) Far Eastern Morphological features: Skin Color- Dark; Head- Broad; Stature- Short. Distribution: Tuticorin -Tinnevally coast. (vi.) Mongolian Morphological Features: Skin Color - Yellowish; Eye-Mongolian Eye fold. Distribution: North-eastern India and Foothills of Himalaya.

Criticisms of classifications

1. RISLEY‘S CLASSIFICATION.  Risley‘s Classification faced criticism especially in the case of Scytho-Dravidians and the Mongolo-Dravidian.  Speakers of Aryan Language Found in vast majority in Indian subcontinent; whereas in Risley‘s Classification is distributed only in Punjab, Rajputana and Kashmir Valley.  According to Risley, Broad-headed elements in Bengal have been influenced by Mongolian People; but in reality it is not found in people living in Bengal.  Also, Risley conducted that the people of South India speak Dravidian language but actually they do not speak Dravidian language and distinct features from Dravidian.  Risley didn‘t mention about Negrito element in India.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

2. GIUFRIDA-RUGGERI‘S CLASSIFICATION. His classification was not briefly explained to understand the enormous variation of physical types among the people of India.

3. HADDON‘S CLASSIFICATION. The main drawback of Haddon‘s classification was that he didn‘t mention about anything about Pre- Aryans of India.

4. EICKSTEDT‘S CLASSIFICATION. It also faces some criticism from different authorities but it shows a great scope and it can be more convincing by B.S. Guha‘s Classification.

5. GUHA‘S CLASSIFICATION.  Negrito element of Guha‘s Classification faces criticism almost from all Anthropologists.  Furthermore, Guha tried to prove that all racial elements in India are of foreign origin.

6. SARKAR‘S CLASSIFICATION. Although S.S. Sarkar‘s classification was more convincing than any other classification but contemporary Anthropologists are still tried to solve the problem of racial classification of India. Thus, as a whole, each Race is Dynamic, instead of static group. The stability of a race can be achieved by practicing marriage within racial group. Any change in any one of the factors depicts a new change in the race as a whole.

ETHNIC ELEMENTS OF INDIA  Aggregation of biological and socio-cultural characteristics can be defined as an ETHNIC GROUPS.  It comprises CASTE, SCHEDULED CASTE, SCHEDULED TRIBE and COMMUNITIES.  According to Bhasin and Walter; ―COMMUNITY‖ can be defined as a group of people having occupational, religious, linguistic or regional characteristics.

CASTE  Caste in India, is an exclusively Indian phenomenon. The word ‗caste‘ derives from the Portuguese word ‗casta‘, denoting breed, race or kind. Risley (1915) defines it as ―a collection of families or groups of families bearing a common name; claiming a common descent from a mythical ancestor, human or divine; professing to follow the same hereditary calling; and regarded by those who are competent to give an opinion as forming a single homogeneous community‘ is generally associated with a specific occupation

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 A caste is highly endogamous, into smaller circles each of which is endogamous which is referred to as Jati and the endogamous division is ‗Gotra‘.   DIFERENT TERMS USED IN DIFFERENT REGIONS  Northern India, ‗Jat‘ (breed) and ‗Qaum‘ (tribe) are the synonyms.  ‗Biradari‘ or ‗Bhaiband‘ (brotherhood) who lives in a particular neighborhood.  Caste referred to as the social classes from which an individual are confined to their original socially allotted position and are also called as CLOSE SYSTEM.  M.N. Srinivas (1969) stated caste as ―the idea of hierarchy is central to caste. The customs, rites and way of life were different among higher and lower castes.

VARNA OR JATI  The term ‗Varna‘ appears in the earliest Rig-Veda in its tenth book called ―PURUSHASUKTA‖.  According to Manu, there are four Varnas; Brahmin, Kshtriya, Vaishyas and Sudras. Therefore, all the JATIS were arisen by the interaction between the members of four Varna and also, after that, between the descendants of initial unions. However, the UNTOUCHABLES are not included in this.  Brahmin, Vaishyas and Kshtriyas are also called DVIJAS (twice born), whereas sudra are not at all included in it.  Comparatively, Varna and Caste or Jati are two different things. Caste or Jati refers to the occupational groups and also internally segmented.  CHARACTERISTICS OF CASTE

The fundamental features of Caste are; 1. Hereditary identity  An individual born to particular caste are not allowed to move up and down along the social ladder.  This means that an individual can‘t escape from his/her caste identity for his/her whole life. 2. Endogamy  An individual of particular caste can marry within its own caste.  According to Manu, a higher caste man is not allowed to marry the lower caste woman. 3. Hereditary occupation  Each Caste is associated with its particular hereditary occupation.  Like Muchis are shoemakers, Chamars are the leather workers, Lohars are the Blacksmiths. 4. Hierarchy Each Caste cites an evidence of its superiority; with reference to the rituals it performs, the customs it observes, or the myth of the origin. 5. Purity and pollution

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

It is a concept of pollution to maintain between different castes. Occupational specializations among castes are because of the degree of purity and pollution. 6. Restriction on food, drink and smoking The membership norm of each caste determines what a person may eat and with whom he/she may sit for a meal. 7. Distinction in customs, dress and speech The members of higher caste are supposed to wear fine clothes and gold ornaments, while the members of lower caste wear coarse materials and silver ornaments.

Scheduled caste (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

 The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were enumerated from 1951 census onwards. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been specified by 15 Presidential Orders issued under the provisions of Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution. They are listed in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 1976.  In the Census of India 2001, 16.2 % of the population was ‗Scheduled Castes‘ or another 8.2 % as belong to ‗Scheduled Tribes‘.  Occupational specialization: (1) Landless agricultural laborers, (2) Cultivators with small holdings, (3) Small commodity producers or artisans, (4) Services particularly of ‗polluting‘ kind.

Table 1: Percentages of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to total population 1961-2001 ______Year Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes ______1961 14.67 6.36 1971 14.60 6.94 1981 15.75 7.76 1991 16.48 8.08 2001 16.2 8.2

In addition, some state governments also included other categories of people known as ‗Other Backward Classes‘ (OBCs) and Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities.

Communities

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 According to Bhasin and Walter (2001), ―COMMUNITY‖ can be defined as a group of people having occupational, religious, linguistic or regional characteristics.  Those population groups which cannot be included in caste system or are not denoted as tribes, i.e. Punjabis, Bengalese etc., by others on religion basis like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs etc., by others on language basis like Telugus, Tamils etc. These authors have not specified or defined explicitly their caste and/or specific groups.

Religious elements of India

The major religious distribution in India is as follows;

. Table : 2001 Religious Data Composition[49]

Religious Composition Population (%) Hindus 827,578,868 80.5%

Muslims 138,188,240 13.4%

Christians 24,080,016 2.3%

Sikhs 19,215,730 1.9%

Buddhists 7,955,207 0.8% Jains 4,225,053 0.4%

Other religions & persuasions 6,639,626 0.6%

Religion not stated 727,588 0.1%

Total 1,028,610,328 100.0%

1. Hindus (Hinduism)

CHARACTERISTICS

 Hinduism is the doctrine of an eternal soul and its rebirth.  It also shows an astonishing variety of doctrines and cultures.

DISTRIBUTION

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 Hindus form over 80 per cent of the total population.  The entire Orissa state, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where the population is approximately 90 per cent made up of Hindus. Also, distinct area of Himalayan region (Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).

2. Muslims (Islam)

 Beginning of Islam is around 7th century.  Founder: Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are predominantly rural community.

TRUE MUSLIMS ARE DIVIDED INTO FOUR FAMILIES

SAIYAD SHAIKH PATHAN MOGHUL (Priesthood, Occupationally)

(Correspond to Kshatriyas of Hindu regime, occupationally)

 According to Blunt (1931); ―they are neither castes nor tribes but are merely names given to groups of tribes supposed to be of similar blood.  Two major religious, endogamous sections of Muslims are - Shia and Sunni and several minor groups like Momins, Domon, Khoja, Bohra, Moplahic  In addition, there are interior and exterior castes among Muslims

ASHRAF or SHARIF AJLAF ALROP (Means ―Noble‖, include (Means ―Wretches‖, include Undoubted descendants of Functional groups and low ranking Foreigners & converted into converts). Higher Hindu caste)

 DISTRIBUTION: Kashmir valley and adjacent Kargil Tehsil, Mewat, Rohilkhand and upper Doab, Ganga Delta, Malasar and the Lakshadweep. 18

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 Lakshadweep (94.84 %).  Jammu and Kashmir (64.19 %).  West Bengal (21.51 %), Kerala (21.25 %), Uttar Pradesh (15.93 %) and Bihar (14.13%).

3. Christians (Christianity)

CATHOLICS PROTESTANTS

 Endogamy is found in both the groups i.e. Catholics can marry among its own group and same can be found in Protestants.  Christians: 3rd major religious community in the country.  DISTRIBUTION: Southern and North-eastern regions of the country.  Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh: 60 %.

4. Sikhs (Sikhism)

 The word Sikh is the Punjabi form of the Sanskrit word ‗Shishya‘ which means disciple.  They are the followers of Guru Nanak Dev and nine other Gurus of whom the last was Shri Guru Govind Singh.  Sikhism was based on the teachings of UNITY OF GOD; rejection of caste and ritualism and brotherhood of man.

SIKHS

SARDARS MAJHABIS (HIGH CASTES) (SWEEPERS)

Jat and Tarkhan Kumhar Mehra Cimbma Sansi Kamboh (Sheperd)

 The Sardars include Jat and Kamboh (Landowners), Tarkhan (Carpenter), Kumhar (Potter), Mehra (Water carrier) and Cimbma (Washer man). The first two castes regard themselves as superior to the others.  There are some other religious sects among the Sikhs like Nihangs, Namdharis and Ramgarhias. 19

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

DISTRIBUTION

 Punjab - 60.75 % and Chandigarh - 21.11 %  Haryana - 6.21 % and Delhi - 6.33 %.  However, in any other states or Union Territory, they constitute 5% of the country‘s population.

5. Buddhists (Buddhism)

 Evolution of Buddhism was because of the revolt against Vedic religion or Brahmanism.  FOUNDER: Kshatriya Prince Siddartha.  PRINCIPLES: Nonviolence and simple living instead of ritualism.  Buddhism is further divided into two sections: (i) Hinayan (The Small Vehicle) - Believed in Buddha as a Guru. (ii) Mahayanas (The Great Vehicle) - raised Buddha to the position of a savior god.  DISTRIBUTION: North Eastern states - 28.71 per cent in Sikkim, 13.69 in Arunachal Pradesh and 8.19 per cent in Mizoram.

6. Jains (Jainism)  Jains are basically Urban Dwellers.  FOUNDER: Kshatriya Prince Vardhaman. PRINCIPLES: Stresses on right actions and good deeds instead of sacrifices and prayers.  Jains are further divided into two sects— (i) Svetambara - clothed in white. (ii) Digambara - clothed in atmosphere, because their Munis wear no clothes.  DISTRIBUTION: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Delhi. 7. Parsis

 An endogamous group migrated from Iran and settled primarily in West India.  They follow the principle of INBREEDING. 8. Jews

BENI-ISRAEL COCHIN-JEWS BAGHDADI JEWS (Found in Bombay) (Found in Cochin) (Found in Bombay and Calcutta)

GORA KALA GORA KALA MESHURARIM 20

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

(White) (Black) (Descendants of Cochin Jews and their slave Concubines) LINGUISTIC ELEMENT OF INDIA

 A high degree of diversity in their languages and dialects is the striking most feature of India.  A linguistic group is an entity of social significance. The language and the dialect thus play a significant role in defining the elements of regional identity.  According to Grierson (1903-1928), India has 179 languages and 544 dialects.  According to the 1961 Census of India there were 187 languages spoken by different sections of our society.

Classification of Indian Languages

AUSTRO-ASIATIC TIBETO-CHINESE DRAVIDIAN INDO-EUROPEAN FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY (NISHADA) (KIRATA) (DRAVIDA) (ARYAN)

 According to 1961 Census of India over 73.3 % of the Indian people spoke languages belonging to the Aryan family. Dravidian came next representing 24.47 %. There are only 1.5 % for the Austric languages and still less for the Tibeto-Chinese languages 0.73%

1. The Austro Asiatic Language Family

MON-KHEMER BRANCH MUNDA BRANCH (Mon-Khemer group) (Munda Group)

(i) Mon-Khmer Branch: This includes the two groups- 1. Khasi group of languages of Assam, and 2. Nicobarese of the Nicobar Islands. 21

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

(ii) Munda Branch: Speakers belonging to the Central and Eastern regions of India.  DISTRIBUTION: Hills and jungles of Bihar, Chota Nagpur, Orissa and Central India. Larger in number is Santhali speakers.  SPEECHES OF THIS BRANCH 1. Kherwari 2. Santali 3. Mundari 4. Bhumij 5. Birhor 6. Koda/Kora, Ho etc.

2. The Tibeto-Chinese Language Family

SIAMESE-CHINESE SUB-FAMILY TIBETO-BURMESE SUB-FAMILY (Tai group of language represented by One language i.e. Khamti)

TIBETO-HIMALAYAN NORTH-ASSAM ASSAM- BRANCH BRANCH BURMESE BRANCH (North-Eastern Frontier Group)

BHOTIA GROUP HIMALAYAN (Tibetan group) GROUP

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

BODO NAGA KACHIN KUKI-CHIN BURMA GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP

DESCRIPTION of the CHART

(a) TIBETO-HIMLAYAN BRANCH

(i) Bhotia Group (Tibetan Group)

 SPEAKERS: Ladakhi, Lahuli, Sikkim,Bhotia, Balti.

 LANGUAGES: Tibetan, Balti, Ladakhi, Lahauli, Spiti, Jad, Sherpa, Sikkim, Bhotia, Bhutani, Kagate.

(ii) Himalayan Group (Pronominalized/Non-pronominalized Himalayan Groups

 SPEAKERS: Lahauli of Chamba, Kanashi, Kanauri, Jangali, Dhimal, Limbu, Khambu, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Sunwar, Mangari, Newari, Lepcha, Kami, Toto.

(b) NORTH-ASSAM BRANCH

North-East Frontier Group: Languages- Aka/Hrusso, Dalfa, Abor/Adi, Miri, Mishmi.

(i) Bodo Group (Bara or Bodo Group)

 LANGUAGES: Bodo/Boro, Lalung, Dimasa, Garo, Koch, Rabha, Tripuri, Deori, Mikir.

(ii) Naga Group

 LANGUAGES: Angami, Sema, Rengma, Khezha, Ao, Lotha, Tableng, Chang-Naga Kacha Naga, Zemi Naga, Kabui, Khoirao, Mao, Maram, Tangkhul, Maring, Pochury, Phom, Yimchungre, Khiemnungam, Nocte, Wancho, Makware, Tangsa.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

(iii)Kachin Group

 LANGUAGES: Kawri, Singpho.

(iv) Kuki-Chin Group

 SPEAKERS: Manipuri/Meithei, Thodo, Ralte, Paite, Tlangtlang, Pawi, Lakher, Lushai/Mizo, Rangkhol, Halam, Langrong, Aimol, Chiru, Kom, Hmar, Lamgang, Chote, Purum, Anal, Gangte, Vaiphei, Khami, Khawathlang, Simte. . (v) Burma Group

 SPEAKERS: Mru, Arkanese

 DISTRIBUTION OF TIBETO-CHINESE LANGUAGE FAMILY IN INDIA: The Tibeto- Himalayan branch is spoken in Ladakh and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The Assam- Burmese Branch is concentrated inthe states of North-east India along the Indo-Burmese border. Among these, Naga dialects are spoken in Nagaland; Lushai is concentrated in Mizo Hills, Garo in Garo Hills and Meithei in Manipur.

3. The Dravidian Language Family (Dravida)

SOUTH DRAVIDIAN CENTRAL/DRAVIDIAN NORTH DRAVIDIAN GROUP GROUP GROUP

(i) South Dravidian Group: It consists of the speeches: 1. Tamil 2. Malayalam 3. Kannada 4. Coorgi/Kodagu 5. Tulu 6. Toda 7. Kota 8. Telugu.

(ii) Central Dravidian Group: It includes 1. Kui 2. Kolami 3. Gondi 4. Parji 5. Koya 6. Khond/Kondh 7. Konda.

(iii) North Dravidian Group: It includes 1. Kurukh/Oraon and 2. Malto.

Unspecified Dravidian Tongues: A few (6742) persons belong to unspecified Dravidian Tongues, which are 1. Dravidian, 2. Madrasi, 3. Ladhadi and 4. Bharia.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 DISTRIBUTION OF DRAVIDIAN LANGUAGE FAMILY: Languages of the Dravidian family are concentrated in the plateau region and the adjoining coastal plains. Telugu is spoken in Andhra, Tamil in Tamil Nadu, and Kannada in Karnataka and Malayalam in Kerala. The Tribal groups include the Gonds of Madhya Pradesh, CentralIndia and the Oraons of Chota Nagpur Plateau.

4. The Indo-European Language Family (Aryan)

It is divided into; .I. Aryan Sub-Family The Aryan sub-family is further divided into 3 branches: (a) Iranian Branch: It is represented by languages like Persian, Pashto and Balochi considered of foreign origin. (b) Dardic (or Pisasha) Branch: It is represented by following groups of languages: (i) Kafir Group : Wai Ala. (ii) Khowar Group: Khowar. (iii) Dard Group: Dardi, Shina, Kashmiri, Kohistani. (c) Indo-Aryan Branch: The Indo-Aryan Branch can be divided into two sub-branches as follows: 1. Outer Sub-Branch: This consists of the following (i) North-Western Group: Lahnda or Western Punjabi Dialects and Sindhi. (ii) Southern Group: This group includes 1. Marathi; 2. Konkani. (iii) Eastern Group: This includes 1. Oriya; 2. Bihari with sub-groups- Bhojpuri, Maghi/Magadhi, Maithili; 3. Bengali; 4. Assamese. 2. Mediate Sub-Branch/Inner Sub-Branch (i) Mediate Group/Central Group: This includes—1. Hindi; 2. Hindustani; 3. Urdu; 4. Punjabi; 5. Gujarati; 6. Bhili; 7. Khandeshi; 8. Rajasthani. (ii) Pahari Group (1) Eastern Pahari: It consists of Nepali. (2) Central Pahari: It includes Kumauni, Garhwali. (3) Western Pahari: Jaunsari, Sirmauri, Baghati, Kiunthali, Handuri, Siraji, Soracholi, Bashahri, Siraji- Inner-Siraji, Sodochi, Kului, Mandi, Mandeali, Suketi.

II. Unspecified Indo-Aryan Tongues Mahasu Pahari, Tharu, Kewati.

III Old Middle-Indo-Aryan Languages: 1. Ardhamagadhi; 2. Pali; 3. Prakrit; 4. Sanskrit

IV. Mother Tongue with Unspecified Family Affiliation 1. Kisan; 2. English 25

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

 DISTRIBUTION OF INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGE FAMILY: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Delhi. The Himalayan and the sub-Himalayan areas are inhabited by the speakers of the various forms of Pahari speeches. Broadly speaking the principal languages of India constitutes the following linguistic regions: 1. Kashmiri, 2. Punjabi, 3. Hindi/Urdu, 4. Bengali, 5. Assamese, 6. Oriya, 7. Gujarati, 8.Marathi, 9. Kannada, 10. Telugu, 11. Tamil and 12. Malayalam.

Languages Specified in Schedule VIII to the Constitution of India The Schedule VIII recognizes fifteen languages in India (CENSUS OF INDIA, 1971).

Part ‘A’ 1. Assamese. 2. Bengali: Chakma; Haijong/Hajong; Malpaharia; Rajbansi. 3. Gujarati: Saurashtra. 4. Hindi: Awadhi, Baghelkhandi, Bagri-Rajasthani; Banjari; Bhadrawahi. Bharmauri/Gaddi; Bhojpuri; Braj Bhasha; Budelkhandi; Chambeali; Chattisgarhi etc. 5. Kannada: Badaga. 6. Kashmiri: Kishtwari, Siraji. 7. Malayalam: Yerava. 8. Marathi: Karami. 9. Oriya: Bhatri, Relli. 10. Punjabi: Bagri, Bilaspuri/Kahluri. 11. Sanskrit. 12. Sindhi: Kachchhi. 13. Tamil: Kaikadi; Yerukala/Yerukula. 14. Telugu: Vadari. 15. Urdu. Part ‘B’

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people

Adi: Adi Gallong/Gallong; Adi Minyong/Minyong. Angami: Chakra/Chokri. Bhili/Bhilodi Barel; Bhilai; Chodhari; Dhodia etc. Bodo/Boro: Kachari; Mech. Gondi: Dorli; Maria; Muria. Khandeshi: Ahirani; Dangi; Gujari-Khandeshi. Khasi: Pnar/Synteng; War. Konda: Kodo. Korku: Muwasi. Lahnda: Multani, Punchhi. Munda: Kol.

CONCLUSION

 Thus; India‘s languages, religions, racial classification and ethnic element differ from place to place within country.  It often labeled as an amalgamation of several cultures, and has been influenced by a history that is several millennia old.  Also, India is one of the most religiously diverse nation in the world and some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures.  PEOPLE OF INDIA, therefore, manifested several features varied in different geographical regions but it cannot be understand under few contexts.

Indian Anthropology Anthropology Indian People: racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious elements and distribution of people