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At the Baneshwar fair in Dungarpur, held on the full moon of Magh at the confluence of the Som, Mahi and Jakham rivers, tens of thousands of Bhil families gather to bathe, pray, trade and celebrate. The fair — often called the "Kumbh of the tribals" — is a reminder that Rajasthan's culture is not only the culture of Rajput courts. About one in seven of its people belongs to a Scheduled Tribe, and their history, customs and struggles are an essential part of the state's story.
How many, and where
- Scheduled Tribes made up about 13.5% of Rajasthan's population in Census 2011 (about 92 lakh people).
- They are concentrated in two broad regions:
- the south — Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Udaipur, Salumbar, Sirohi, parts of Rajsamand and Chittorgarh — mainly Bhils, Garasias, Damors;
- the east — Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Tonk, Alwar — mainly Meenas.
- Banswara had the highest proportion of ST population (2011); Udaipur had the largest number.
The major tribes
| Tribe | Region | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Meena | East — Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Tonk, Udaipur | The largest tribe in Rajasthan; historically rulers of parts of the Dhundhar region before the Kachhwahas; largely settled agriculturists; relatively better educational and economic status |
| Bhil | South — Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh | The second-largest; the name is often linked with the word for "bow"; skilled archers who fought alongside Maharana Pratap (Rana Punja); rich traditions of Gavari dance-drama and Gair; houses called ku or tapra; villages called pal (headed by a palvi) |
| Garasia | Sirohi (Abu Road, Pindwara), Udaipur, Pali | Known for colourful dress, the Walar dance; the Gaur fair; distinctive marriage customs |
| Sahariya | Baran (Shahabad and Kishanganj) | Rajasthan's only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG); forest-dependent; very low literacy and high poverty |
| Damor | Dungarpur, Banswara | Agriculturists; the Chhela Bavji fair |
| Kathodi | Udaipur, Kotra region | Traditionally made katha (catechu) from khair trees; very poor |
| Kanjar, Sansi, Kalbeliya and others | Various | Several are denotified or nomadic communities; not all are Scheduled Tribes — check lists carefully |
Social life and culture
- Festivals and fairs: Baneshwar (Dungarpur), Gaur (Garasias), Holi with Gair dances, Gavari (Bhils, for about 40 days after Raksha Bandhan).
- Crafts: bamboo work, terracotta, silver jewellery.
- Institutions: village councils (panchayats) under traditional heads; strong community solidarity.
- Beliefs: nature worship, folk deities, and in the south, the influence of reformers like Govind Guru (the Bhagat movement).
The Scheduled Area
Parts of southern Rajasthan are declared a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution — including all of Banswara, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh (under the 2018 order) and parts of Udaipur, Sirohi, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh and Pali. In these areas:
- the Governor has special responsibilities and a Tribes Advisory Council advises on tribal welfare;
- the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) gives gram sabhas powers over local resources — Rajasthan framed PESA rules in 2011;
- land alienation to non-tribals is restricted.
Development challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Poverty | Small, rain-fed farms; dependence on forests and wage labour |
| Migration | Seasonal migration to Gujarat and elsewhere for work |
| Education | Low literacy, especially among women and PVTGs |
| Health and nutrition | High anaemia, malnutrition; sickle cell anaemia in some groups |
| Land and forest rights | Implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 |
| Displacement | Dams and mining projects |
Policies and institutions
- Tribal Area Development (TAD) Department and the Tribal Research Institute, Udaipur.
- Tribal Sub-Plan funds in the state budget.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools and Ashram hostels.
- Van Dhan centres for forest produce.
- Special programmes for the Sahariyas (a PVTG) and Kathodis.
- Reservation in education, jobs and legislatures.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- What share of Rajasthan's population was Scheduled Tribe in 2011?
- Which is the largest tribe in Rajasthan?
- Which tribe is Rajasthan's only PVTG, and where does it live?
- Which districts are wholly Scheduled Areas?
- With which tribe is the Walar dance associated?
Mains-style (50 words): What is the significance of PESA for Rajasthan's tribal areas?
Mains-style (100 words): Examine the development challenges faced by tribes in southern Rajasthan.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Rajasthan Public Service Commission website .
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