Tribes of Rajasthan, 12 Scheduled Tribe List, Govt. Measures

Tribes of Rajasthan form an important part of the state’s social, cultural and economic landscape. According to Census 2011, Rajasthan had 92,38,534 Scheduled Tribe people, forming 13.48% of the state population. Tribal communities are concentrated mainly in southern and southeastern Rajasthan. Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Sirohi and Udaipur have major tribal populations. About 95% of Rajasthan’s tribal population lives in rural areas.

Tribes of Rajasthan

The Tribes in Rajasthan include Bhil, Mina, Garasia, Damor, Sahariya, Kathodi and several other communities. Census 2011 recorded 18,30,092 tribal households. The total tribal literacy rate was 52.8% with male literacy at 67.6% and female literacy at 37.3%. The tribal work participation rate was 48.3%.

List of Tribes of Rajasthan

The list of 12 Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan has been provided below along with their culture, traditions, social structure, occupation, etc.:

1. Bhil

• Bhils are one of Rajasthan’s oldest and largest tribal communities. 
• They include: Bhil, Bhil Garasia, Dholi Bhil, Dungri Bhil, Dungari Garasia, Mewasi Bhil, Rawal Bhil, Tadvi Bhil, Bhagalia, Bhilala, Pawra, Vasava and Vasave.
• They mainly live in Udaipur, Banswara, Dungarpur and surrounding areas. 
• Their traditional houses are called Tapra or Koo. Smaller settlements are called Fala. 
• The village head is known as Gameti. 
• Their traditional livelihood includes farming, animal husbandry, forest produce collection and shifting cultivation. 
• Chimata refers to farming on hills, while Dajiya is practiced in plains and Walra refers to shifting agriculture. 
• Gawri and Ghoomar are important dances. 
• Beneshwar Fair is held at the confluence of Mahi, Som and Jakham rivers. 
• Local worship includes Dharal, Kalaji Goraji, Govind Guru and other deities.

2. Bhil Mina

• Bhil Mina is a distinct tribal community with 21,720 households and a population of 1,05,393 recorded in Census 2011. 
• Its literacy rate was 52.5%. Male literacy stood at 66.0%, while female literacy was 38.9%. 
• The community had a work participation rate of 45.5%. 
• Its social and economic life is linked mainly with rural occupations, agriculture and community based traditions.

3. Damor

• Damors and Damaria are concentrated mainly in Dungarpur, with the Seemalwara area known as the Damaria Area. 
• They traditionally depend on agriculture, animal husbandry and supplementary forest resources. 
• Their language is strongly influenced by Gujarati. 
• The community follows customs such as Dapa, Nata and Chadiya during Holi. 
• The community head is called Mukhi. Holi, Diwali and local fairs are important occasions. 
• Their worship includes Bhavani Mata, Kali and Dev Narayan, along with nature and ancestor worship.

4. Dhanka

• Dhanka, Tadvi, Tetaria and Valvi are recorded together in Rajasthan’s Scheduled Tribe data. 
• This group had 18,791 households and 96,737 people in Census 2011. 
• Its literacy rate was 70.0%, including 81.5% male and 57.6% female literacy. 
• Agriculture and rural occupations remain important. 
• The group recorded a work participation rate of 36.4%, with 74.8% of workers classified as main workers.

5. Garasia

• Garasia communities are concentrated in Abu Road and Pindwara of Sirohi, Bali of Pali and Gogunda and Kotra areas of Udaipur. 
• Their houses are called Gher and settlements are known as Faliya. Valar, Gair, Moriya and Gaur are important dances. 
• Agriculture, animal husbandry, forest collection and labour provide livelihoods. 
• Love marriage, widow remarriage and Nata are prevalent. 
• Important fairs include Koteshwar, Chetar Vichitar, Mankha ro Melo and Gangaur. 
• Nakki Lake is a major sacred site. 
• Shiva, Bhairav, Durga and local deities are worshipped.

6. Kathodi

• Kathodi communities have historical links with Maharashtra and are mainly associated with Udaipur in Rajasthan. 
• They include: Kathodi, Katkari, Dhor Kathodi, Dhor Katkari, Son Kathodi, Son Katkari. 
• Their traditional occupation was making katha from the khair tree. 
• Their huts are called Kholra and the community head is known as Nayak. Dungardev, Vastu Dev, Gam Dev, Bharti Mata and Kansari Mata are worshipped. 
• Tattooing is common among women. Mavaliya and Holi dances form part of their cultural life. 
• Agriculture and cattle rearing are important livelihoods. 
• The community has faced considerable socio-economic vulnerability.

7. Kokna

• Kokna, Kokni and Kukna are recorded together in Rajasthan’s Scheduled Tribe data. 
• Census 2011 recorded 99 households and 361 people in this group. 
• Its literacy rate was 57.2%, with male literacy at 67.7% and female literacy at 45.3%. 
• The recorded work participation rate was 38.5%. 
• Main workers formed 94.2% of workers, showing a high share of regular main work within the recorded workforce.

8. Koli Dhor

• Koli Dhor, Tokre Koli, Kolcha and Kolgha are included as one Scheduled Tribe entry. 
• Census 2011 recorded 808 households and 1,535 people. 
• The group had 65.8% literacy, including 77.9% male and 52.2% female literacy. 
• Its work participation rate was 41.0%. Main workers accounted for 80.5% of workers. 
• The recorded sex ratio was 907 females per 1,000 males, while the child sex ratio was 976.

9. Mina

• Mina is the most populous tribal community in Rajasthan. Census 2011 recorded 8,40,219 households and a population of 43,45,528. 
• The community had 61.1% literacy, including 76.9% male and 44.0% female literacy. 
• Major concentrations include Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Kota, Bundi, Baran and Karauli. 
• Jamindar Meena and Chaukidar Meena are important social divisions. 
• Agriculture is the main traditional occupation. 
• Meena society follows gotra based marriage rules and has rich oral traditions.

10. Naikda

• Naikda, Nayaka, Cholivala Nayaka, Kapadia Nayaka, Mota Nayaka and Nana Nayaka are grouped together in Rajasthan’s Scheduled Tribe records. 
• Census 2011 recorded 4,381 households and 8,355 people. Literacy stood at 49.6%, with male literacy at 61.0% and female literacy at 37.3%. 
• Agriculture and rural work form important parts of livelihood. 
• The work participation rate was 44.5%, while 68.0% of workers were main workers.

11. Patelia

• Patelia is a small tribal community in Rajasthan. 
• Census 2011 recorded 210 households and a population of 797 people. 
• Its literacy rate was 55.0%, with male literacy at 67.3% and female literacy at 39.2%. 
• The work participation rate was 51.6%. Main workers accounted for 71.8% of workers. 
• The recorded child sex ratio was 1,098, making it notably higher than the overall tribal child sex ratio.

12. Sahariya

• Sahariya, also known as Sehria/ Sehariya, is concentrated mainly in Shahbad and Kishanganj of Baran district. 
• Census 2011 recorded 23,419 households and 1,11,377 people. 
• Literacy was 48.0%, with male literacy at 61.9% and female literacy at 33.7%. 
• Traditional livelihoods included forest produce collection, hunting, gathering and agriculture. 
• Today, agriculture and wage labour are important. Valmiki is revered as Adipurush, while Kodia Mata is a clan deity. 
• Lathmar Holi, Heed songs, Alha and Lenghi are important cultural traditions. 
• The village head is called Kotwal.

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Tribes of Rajasthan Development Measures and Initiatives

Tribal development in Rajasthan focuses on education, healthcare, livelihoods, infrastructure, skill development, financial support and protection of tribal culture.

• Tribal Area Development Programme: TADP promotes integrated development in tribal areas through interventions covering education, healthcare, infrastructure and basic living conditions.
• Sahariya Vikas Karyakram: This programme focuses on the welfare of the Sahariya community and addresses its socio-economic vulnerability through targeted development support.
• Rajasthan Skill Development Programme: Skill training and employment opportunities are promoted for tribal youth to improve employability and reduce dependence on traditional low income occupations.
• Financial and Cooperative Support: Rajas Sangh works against exploitation by moneylenders and supports consumer protection. Anuja Nigam provides loans and grants through Rajasthan SC/ST Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited.
• Education Initiatives: Kalibai Bhil Medhavi Chhatra Scooty Yojana supports meritorious ST girls. 
• Health Measures: Ayushman Model Health Centres strengthen healthcare services in tribal regions. Sickle Cell Anaemia Programme and TB Mukt Banswara address major health concerns.
• Development Funds and Regional Schemes: Rajasthan State SC, ST Development Fund Act, 2022 provides population linked fund allocation. Scheduled Tribes Development Fund supports skill development through Samarth Yojana. Dang, Magra and Mewat Regional Development Schemes support infrastructure and welfare.
• Institutional Protection: The Tribal Advisory Council functions under Article 244(1) and the Fifth Schedule. Rajasthan Scheduled Tribes Commission was established in 2016 for tribal welfare and removal of backwardness under Article 46.
• Cultural Preservation: The Manikya Lal Verma Tribal Research and Training Institute promotes research, training and documentation of tribal life. Cultural heritage programmes help preserve traditional customs, arts and community knowledge.

Tribes of Rajasthan Significance

The Tribes of Rajasthan are important for the state’s cultural diversity, rural economy, traditional knowledge, folk traditions and social history. 

• Cultural Heritage: Bhil, Mina, Garasia, Sahariya and other communities preserve distinctive folk dances, songs, languages, festivals, marriage customs, traditional clothing and worship practices.
• Traditional Knowledge: Tribal communities possess practical knowledge of forests, local crops, medicinal resources, livestock and ecological conditions. This knowledge remains important for sustainable rural livelihoods.
• Agricultural Economy: Agriculture remains a major livelihood among tribal communities. Bhils, Meenas, Damors and Garasias have developed farming practices suited to hills, plains and monsoon dependent environments.
• Forest Based Livelihoods: Forest produce has traditionally supported communities through collection of food, fuel, honey, medicinal resources and other materials. Mahua and khair have particular cultural and economic importance.
• Rural Social Structure: Around 95% of Rajasthan’s tribal population lives in rural areas. Tribal development is therefore closely connected with rural infrastructure, agricultural productivity, employment and access to public services.