Indian tribes

There existed societies called tribes that were beyond the rules of varnas and castes. This article covers the history and types of tribes in India.

History of Tribes

Most tribes did not keep any written records. Knowledge was passed down orally, and later historians started keeping a written record of the oral traditions.

The tribal influence was not rampant everywhere. They influenced some specific parts of the subcontinent, which varied over time.

Khokhar tribes in the 13th and 14th centuries later on Gakhars came into being during the Mughal period. Other examples are Multan, Sind, Langah, and Arghuns

Similarly, Kolis and Berads belonged to the Maharashtra highlands and Karnataka

Tribes like Koragas, Marvars and Vitars had built a life in the south

Further, Bhils existed in the western and central regions. In the 16th century, the members of this tribe became settled agriculturists, some of whom became zamindars as well. However, many Bhil clans remained hunter-gatherers

Gonds were tribes that were found in present-day Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh

Furthermore, Baloch tribes were prominent in the northwest. The northeastern part of the subcontinent had the Ahoms and the Nagas

The shepherd tribe of Gaddis lived in the western Himalayan region

Chero chiefdoms emerged in the 12th century in Bihar and Jharkhand, who were later defeated by Akbar’s general Raja Man Singh. Mundas and Santhals were other tribes who lived in these regions, along with Orissa and Bengal

Change in Society

The economic need of the society with the passage of time led to the change in societal structure. As a result, the castes in society were divided into further subcastes. For instance, Brahmins had their own subcastes. Apart from this, tribes and social groups started forming caste-based societies commonly known as Jatis. Specialised “Jatis” of artisans, smiths, carpenters, etc., had been subjugated by the Brahmins. Eventually, Jatis became another basis of division in society.

Hunas, Chandels, and Chalukyas were the Rajput clans who became powerful in the 11th and 12th centuries. They replaced the older rulers in agricultural areas and established powerful states by using their wealth. The rise of these Rajputs became an inspiration for other tribal groups. With the help of Brahmins, many tribes became part of the caste system with a condition that led tribal families to join the leading class. The majority of those Jatis joined lower Jatis of caste-based societies, whereas dominant tribes of the Punjab, Sindh, and North-West Frontier had converted to Islam already. The societal division of the caste system was not accepted in these areas. As a result of these social changes among the tribals, the emergence of many states took place.

Tribes in India

Nomads

Nomads were the tribes who moved from one place to another with their animals. They were pastoralists and survived on milk and pastoral products

The bartering of wool, ghee, grain, cloth, and utensils helped them earn a livelihood

Banjaras were among the most critical nomad traders. Their caravan was known as tanda

Sultan Alauddin Khilji transported grains to the cities through Banjaras

Jahangir has also written in his memoir that Banjaras carried food grains in their bullocks and sold them in the towns. They also transported grains for the Mughal army. The large army was said to have carried around lakhs of those bullocks

Many tribes reared and sold animals such as horses and cattle to prosperous people

Sometimes, these nomads acted as wandering merchants and sold ropes, coarse sacks, straw matting, reeds, etc

Bodos

The insurgency of ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) made its way to form different insurgent outfits for Assam

In 1980, the Bodos, also known as Assam’s largest plains tribe, initiated a violent movement

The NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) was formed in 1986 to fulfil their dreams for an independent Bodo country

For an independent state of Bodoland, the Bodoland Movement started on March 2, 1987, under the guidance of ABSU (All Bodo Students’ Union) leader Upendrenath Brahma

Bodo’s demand for Bodoland was backed by Bodo armed groups, leading to a security situation

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive) [NDFB (P)] signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement on 24.5.2005, which was valid up to 31.12.2019

On January 27, 2020, the 3rd Bodo Peace Accord was signed in the form of Bodoland Territorial Region, successfully ending the insurgency that continued for years

Karbi and Dimasa Tribes

The state of Assam has been influenced by insurgent movements. These movements were started by the tribes of Karbi and Dimasa and the Adivasis

Karbi and Dimasa have declared autonomy for their homelands, whereas the Adivasis have questioned more recognition of their rights

In 1999, the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) was established by merging two insurgent groups: Karbi People’s Front (KPF) and Karbi National Volunteers (KNV)

By the effort of the government, most of these groups have been brought to the negotiation table

Conclusion

This was all about tribes, their lifestyle, and their struggles during colonial rule. Before British rule, tribes lived their life in their way, freely and independently. Today, some communities like the Andaman tribes lead an isolated lifestyle where they are completely cut off from modern society.