Sero-Genetic Profile and Phylogenetic Relationships of Tribes of Rajasthan
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© Kamla-Raj 2011 Anthropologist, 13(2): 83-93 (2011) Sero-genetic Profile and Phylogenetic Relationships of Tribes of Rajasthan Satish Kumar and M.K. Bhasin Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India KEYWORDS Genetic Polymorphisms. Population Variations. Phylogenetic Relationships. Rajasthan Tribes ABSTRACT Genetic structure and polygenetic relationship of six numerically larger endogamous tribes, Mina, Bhil, Garasia, Damor and Kathodi of Rajasthan, who exhibit varied ethnographic history, have been investigated using 12 sero-genetic polymorphic marker systems viz. A1A2BO, MNSs, Rhesus, Duffy, Lewis, Kell, Kidd, HP, TF, GPI, G6PD deficiency and HB variants. Genetic differentiation with respect to studied genes has been observed small (except for HB* variants and G6PD*Def, which may be under the influence of natural selection) among the studied tribes and it appears that there has been little effect of population subdivision on these genes or late divergence of these populations from one another. The studied tribes make two main clusters, one of Mina and Saharia, other of Bhil, Damor, Garasia and Kathodi. Within the later cluster Bhil and Damor are closest joined by Garasia and then Kathodi. The present study partially supports the ethnographer’s views of their origin and divergence. INTRODUCTION pulation (Census of India 2001) and constituted of 450 different communities (Singh 1992), al- Human populations are not merely groups of though their evolutionary histories and biolo- individuals but a coherent system. They are gical contributions to the non-tribal populations structured in a way that the structure in time and have been debated (Risley 1915; Guha 1935; space may change but a certain amount of Sarkar 1958; Bhasin et al. 1994; Bhasin and continuity always exists. Walter 2001; Bhasin 2009). Analysis of phenotypic and allele frequency data from polymorphic loci is an important MATERIAL AND METHOD method for describing the pattern of genetic variation within species and inferring the phylo- Area of Present Study genetic relationships between the populations. In the early days of genetic studies, the genetic Situated in the north-western part of India, relationships among different populations were between 23°3’ to 30°12’ North latitudes and studied by examining the geographical distri- 69°39’ to 30°17’ East longitudes, Rajasthan - the butions of gene frequencies at a few loci such abode of Rajputs, is also the home of some of the as the ABO and RH blood group systems mainly original inhabitants of the Indian land. The from Indian region (Bhasin et al. 1992). It was origin of this frontier state of India goes back to later realized that comparison of gene frequ- prehistoric time, so as of its populations. While encies for one or two loci is not reliable since looking into the ethnic accounts of the sche- each locus has a different distribution. Only when duled tribes of Rajasthan- the tribes Bhil, Mina a large number of loci are examined, the genetic and Saharia have dwelled on this land from an- relationship becomes clear (Cavalli-Sforza and cient time along with some other communities Edwar 1964; Bhasin 2009). This is partly because like Gujjars (Tod 1881). The tribes Bhil and the inter-population genetic variation is very Mina, who as per the Census 1991, account for small compared with the intra-population varia- nearly 93.2 per cent of the total scheduled tribe tion at the gene level (Lewontin 1972; Nei and population of the state, had at one time ruled Roychowdhury 1972, 1974, 1982; Bhasin 2009). different parts of Rajasthan before the advent However, if a large number of loci are examined of Rajputs. The other groups like Garasia and even small differences can be detected with Damor trace their origin from Rajputs or Bhil- sufficient accuracy (Bhasin 2009). Rajput interaction in the recent past, while Kath- The tribes are possibly the original inhabit- odi tribe is clearly an immigrant population from ants of India (Thapar 1966; Ray 1973) who Maharashtra state (For details see Bhasin and contribute 8.08 per cent to the total Indian po- Bhasin 1999; Bhasin 2005). 84 SATISH KUMAR AND M.K. BHASIN To understand the population structure and man.They are the ancient inhabitants of the evolutionary interrelationship of the tribal gro- Aravallis, where they are largely distributed even ups of Rajasthan, who exhibit very varied eth- today (Tod 1881). This view is supported by nographic history, we have studied the distri- Sherring (1881) and Russell and Hiralal (1916). butions of 12 sero-genetic polymorphic marker The Bhils had been rulers in certain parts of systems viz. A1A2BO, MNSs, Rhesus, Duffy, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh and Lewis, Kell, Kidd, HP, TF, GPI, G-6-PD deficien- were dislodged by the incoming Rajputs. cy and HB variants among six numerically larger History speaks of compromise as well as con- endogamous tribes namely, Mina, Bhil, Garasia, flict in the Bhil and non-Bhil relationship. Tod Damor and Kathodi. (1881) mentions that the Rajputs would accept food from the Ujale Bhils or those of pure ab- About the Populations original decent. All other castes would also ac- cept water from them. However, later as the or- Mina: They trace their decent to Minavatar, thodox form of Hinduism spread in Rajputana, believed to be the incarnation of Vishnu in the the tribes position along with their associated form of a fish. History says that the Mina had groups vis-à-vis caste Hindus of higher seg- one time, their own petty kingdoms in Naen, ments sharply deteriorated. Karoli, Dhoondar, Kota, Jhalawar, Bhanwargarh, At present they live in scattered hutments Chopoli and held power over a large part of separated widely or parched on hill tops, Rajasthan before the advent of the Rajputs (Pal depending upon the topography. There are 1968; Kaviraj 1886; Singh 1994). Those loyal to l,861,502 Bhils (Census of India 1981) in the new rulers were granted land and other Rajasthan. They constitute 44.50 per cent of the sources of production. Those who could not total population of Scheduled Tribes. The Bhils’ reconcile to their defeat formed organized bands social organization is characterized by the and adopted the path of resistance, crime and presence of diverse social groups recognized on violence. Attempts were made to rehabilitate them the basis of kinship, culture contact, religious by offering them the job of the village watchman. tenets, etc. They maintain nuclear pattern of That is why there are two divisions-the Zamindars families. Compound families of a polygynous and the Chowkidars-which continue till date. nature, though very small in number, are accord- There are around 2,969,456 Mina (Census of ed a higher social status. They inhabit the vil- India 1981) in Rajasthan who constitute the lages of the state where they practice agricul- largest part (49.47%) of the total Scheduled Tribe ture, wherein both men and women participate. population of the State. They are not Scheduled They are spread all over the state but are mainly Tribe in Ajmer. They are spread over the whole concentrated in the districts of Udaipur, Bans- state, but are mainly concentrated in Jaipur, Alwar, wara, and Dungarpur. About 40 per cent of them Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Bundi and speak Bhilli and its allied dialect called Wagdi, Udaipur districts of the state, where over 51 per which is spoken in Banswara and Dungarpur. cent of their population reside. Unlike the other Bhils living in other parts have adopted local scheduled tribes of Rajasthan, the Mina has not dialects. been relegated to a socially inferior position by Garasia: In one opinion, Girasia means people the caste Hindus. They place themselves at a dwelling in the hills. As per Meharda (1985), the high level of social hierarchy, equal to that of word Garasia originated around the tenth Rajputs, Jat, Thakur, Mahajan and Gujjar of the century from the term Garasia, which means area. They cultivate land, and both men and forest dwelling people. Another version states women participate in agricultural activities. The that they have been so named because of being Mina economy is predominantly agriculture girahua or degraded from Rajputs. The existing based. They also depend upon animal hus- ethnographic account (Census 1891) states that bandry, labor and service for their livelihood. when the Turks defeated the Chauhan king of Some of them hold good positions all-over India Jaipur, the Rajputs were forced to take shelter and in state services. They are Hindus but have in the hills where they overpowered Bhils and certain animistic traits as well. settled down on grant of subsistence or gras. To Bhil: They derive their name from the pacify Bhils they also parted with some subsis- Dravidian word: vil, meaning a bow or arrow tence in their favour. These Bhil grant-holders SERO-GENETIC PROFILE AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF TRIBES OF RAJASTHAN 85 came to be known a Garasias. According to cent of the total Scheduled Tribe population of Rajputana Gazetteer, the Garasias are the ‘half- Rajasthan. They inhabit the Banswara, Dun- breed’, being the descendants of Rajputs who garpur, Udaipur, Churu and Ganganagar districts married the Bhils. The settlement pattern, use of of Rajasthan. However, major concentration is bow and arrow and the general way of life of in Dungarpur district, especially in the border Garasia are all similar to those of Bhils. area of Rajasthan and Gujarat. They are predo- Rajasthan has 121,939 Garasia who constitute minantly a rural community with 98.72 per cent 2.91 per cent of the total Scheduled Tribe popu- of them living in the countryside. The Indo- lation of the state. Most marriages are contracted Aryan language “Vagri” is their mother tongue. by way of elopement which is an accepted They recognize two sub-divisions among them, practice among the Garasia tribe.