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Tribes in Madhya Pradesh, List of Major Tribes in Madhya Pradesh

Explore tribes in Madhya Pradesh here. We will discuss the demographics of the tribes in MP, their territorial distribution, the major tribes in MP, such as the Bhil, Gond, Kol, Baiga, Bhariya, and Sahariya.
authorImageGoldi Tomar7 Jan, 2025
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Tribes in Madhya Pradesh

Tribes in Madhya Pradesh: The term "Scheduled Tribes" was first used in the 1935 "Government of India Act" and subsequently included in the 1950 Indian Constitution. The indigenous people of this region are often referred to as Adivasi. Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar, also referred to as Thakkar Bapa, was the first to utilize the Adivasi word.

Smallest District in Madhya Pradesh

Tribes in Madhya Pradesh

With 46 recognized tribes and three Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, Madhya Pradesh has the largest number of tribal people. One of the most crucial subjects covered in the MPPSC syllabus is Madhya Pradesh's Scheduled Tribes. In both the preliminary and main stages of the MPPSC exams, this topic typically comprises three to four questions.

Tribes in Madhya Pradesh Region and District Wise

Here is the comprehensive overview of tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, categorized by region and district."
Region Tribes Districts
North-East Madhya Pradesh Kols, Madiya, Agariya, Panika, Khairwar Shahdol, Sidhi, Jabalpur, Rewa, Satna
Southern Madhya Pradesh Gond, Bhariya, Baiga, Madiya, Halba Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, Betul, Hoshangabad
Western Madhya Pradesh Bhil, Bhilala Khandwa, Khargone, Jhabua, Ratlam, Dhar, Alirajpur
Central Madhya Pradesh Gond, Korku Betul, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, Harda, Narsinghpur, Raisen
North-West Madhya Pradesh Sahariya, Saur Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar

Demographic features of the Tribal population in Madhya Pradesh

  • There are 1,53,16,784 scheduled tribe members, making up 13.57% of the nation's tribal population and 21.1% of the state's overall population.
  • The Bhil are the largest tribe, followed by the Gond and Kol.
  • The scheduled tribe's decadal population growth rate is 25.2%.
  • The Pardhan tribe, a Gond sub-tribe, is thought to be the most literate of the scheduled tribes, with a literacy rate of 50.6%.
  • In the scheduled tribe, there are 975 females for every 1,000 males.

Capital of Madhya Pradesh

Some Major Tribes in Madhya Pradesh

India's largest tribal population is found in Madhya Pradesh. Let's talk about Madhya Pradesh's significant tribes.

Kol

The third-largest tribe in Madhya Pradesh is the Kols. It is among the oldest tribes in the area. Both the Puranas and the Rigveda mention Kols (referred to as Kolhati). Its other names are Bhandari and Kolryan. The eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh are home to the majority of Kols. Rewa, Sidhi, Singhrauli, Shahdol, Satna, Jabalpur, and so on are home to them.

Gond

Scholars say that the word "Gond" is derived from the word "Konda," which means hill, and that the Gond Tribe has Dravidian roots. The Koitur are the name of the Gond tribe. In Madhya Pradesh, the Gonds are the second most numerous tribe. The only tribe in Madhya Pradesh with a presence in every district is the Gond. The Vindhya and Satpura Mountain regions of Madhya Pradesh's Narmada Valley are home to the majority of Gonds. There are a lot of Gonds in the districts of Betul, Chhindwara, Hoshangabad, Balaghat, Shahdol, Mandala, Sagar, and Damoh.

Bheel

Originating from the Dravidian term Billa or Bil, which signifies Bow (Dhanush), the name "Bhil" was originated. Scholars think that the Bhils, the largest tribe in Madhya Pradesh and India, originated in the Proto-Australoid period. 4,61,80,68 members of the Bhil tribe live in Madhya Pradesh, making up 37.7% of the state's total Scheduled Tribal population, according to the 2011 census. The districts of Dhar, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Khargone, and Barwani are home to the majority of the Bhil tribe in western Madhya Pradesh.

Agariya

The name Agariya, which is derived from the word Aag, meaning means Fire, refers to a subtribe of the Gond. The Agariya tribe uses fire to work and melts iron to manufacture implements. The Agariya tribe is present in parts of Madhya Pradesh's Mandla, Sidhi, Shahdol, Dindori, and Balaghat districts.

Korku

The term "Korku" denoted a population. One of Central India's backward tribes is the Korku. The Kolarian race, which is a member of the Munda family, includes the Korku tribe. The majority of Korku are found along the banks of the Tapti River and its tributaries in southern Madhya Pradesh. They can be found in Madhya Pradesh's districts of Hoshangabad, Betul, Chhindwara, and Seoni.

Some other Important Tribes in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is home to a rich diversity of tribal communities, each with distinct cultures and traditions. Notable tribes include the Gonds, Bhils, and Korkus, who contribute significantly to the state's cultural heritage and social fabric.
Tribes Location
Khairwar (extract Kattha from Khair tree) Umariya, Sidhi, Anuppur, Mandala
Sonur Tribe Sagar, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Panna, Raisen, Hoshangabad
Pardhan Tribe Baghelkhand, Satpura, and Narmada-Son valley
Mavasi Tribe Chhindwara

Small and Cottage Industries of Madhya Pradesh

Tribes in Madhya Pradesh FAQs

How many tribes are there in Madhya Pradesh in total? 

 Madhya Pradesh is home to 46 registered scheduled tribes.

How many members make up the Tribal advisory council of Madhya Pradesh?

There are 20 members who make up  the Tribal advisory council of Madhya Pradesh.

How many Scheduled Tribe Development Blocks does Madhya Pradesh have?

Madhya Pradesh has 89 Scheduled Tribe Development Blocks.
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