The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are groups of people in India who have historically faced disadvantages. During British rule, they were known as depressed classes. Today, SCs are sometimes called Dalit.
In Uttar Pradesh, the number of recognized Scheduled Tribes has changed over time. Before 2003, only two tribes were recognized: the Tharu and Buksa. After 2003, ten more tribes were added, making a total of twelve tribes. These tribes live in 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh, and they make up about 1.09% of the state’s population.
Major Tribes of Uttar Pradesh
Here are some of the major tribes in Uttar Pradesh:
1. Tharu
- Location: Bahraich, Shravasti, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur-Kheri.
- Features: Tharu people are of medium height with a yellow complexion. They are known for their beautiful women and colorful attire.
- Lifestyle: They live in bamboo and reed houses with doors facing east. Their main food is rice, with pulses, curd, meat, and fish. They drink Jar wine, and their meals are fixed: Kalewa (breakfast), Mizhni (lunch), and Bari (dinner).
- Marriage: Marriages are held in the Phalguna month. They practice widow remarriage and live in joint families. The family head is the oldest member.
- Religion: They follow Hinduism and worship gods like Kali Devi, Bhairon, and Krishna. Their Shiva Lingam is made of bamboo. They celebrate festivals such as Makarsankranti, Holi, and Dussehra.
2. Bhoksa (Buksa)
- Location: Bijnor district.
- Features: Bhoksa people are short with Mongloid features and dark wheatish complexion. They speak Hindi.
- Lifestyle: Men wear dhoti, kurta, and turban, while women wear sarees and scarves. They have four caste categories: Brahmin Bhoksas, Kshatriya Bhoksas, Ahir Bhoksas, and Nai Bhoksas.
- Marriage: They practice marriage between different castes and believe in widow remarriage. Divorce is easy to obtain.
- Religion: They worship Mahadev, Kali, Durga, Ram, and Krishna. Holi, Diwali, and Dussehra are important festivals.
3. Mahigeer
- Location: Bijnor, Kiratpur, Manera, Mandwar, Saharanpur, Jalalabad, Dharanagar.
- Features: Historically fishermen, they now also work as wage laborers. They speak a language similar to Khariboli and follow Islam.
- Lifestyle: They live in organized societies with a panchayat system and eat together. They drink spirit as wine.
4. Kharwar
- Location: Ballia, Deoria, Chandauli, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, Mirzapur.
- Features: Kharwars are known for their bravery and strong physique. They have various sub-tribes and speak a harsh language.
- Lifestyle: They wear dhotis and turbans. Their diet includes rice, wheat, and occasionally meat. They worship Shiva, Durga, and Hanuman.
- Festivals: They celebrate Jeevet Putrika, Holi, Anant Chaturdasi, and Navaratri.
5. Jaunsari
- Location: Jaunsar Bawar region.
- Features: They speak Jaunsari, a Pahari language, and have unique marriage customs like bride price.
- Lifestyle: Polygamy and polyandry are practiced among rich and poor members, respectively. Divorced women are not ostracized.
- Festivals: They celebrate festivals with traditional dances and wear colorful clothes.
6. Baiga
- Location: Sonbhadra, Chandauli.
- Features: Baigas avoid ploughing land, practicing shifting cultivation instead. They are known for their tattoos and speak local languages.
- Lifestyle: Their diet includes coarse grains and fruits. They also hunt and fish.
7. Chero
- Location: Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar.
- Features: They were traditional rulers and now are primarily agriculturalists. They have two subdivisions: Mahto and Chaudhary.
- Lifestyle: They cultivate maize and paddy, and worship deities like Sairi Maa and Ganwar Babhani.
8. Saharia
- Location: Bundelkhand region.
- Features: They live in small joint families with simple stone houses. They are skilled woodsmen and gatherers.
- Lifestyle: Their diet includes traditional foods, and they celebrate Hindu festivals.
9. Raji
- Location: Pithoragarh region.
- Features: Known as cave dwellers, they speak Kumaoni and are non-vegetarian.
- Lifestyle: They build settlements in forests and practice agriculture and wage labor.
10. Agariya
- Location: Sonbhadra, Deoria, Mirzapur.
- Features: They work in salt fields and speak Agariya, Hindi, and Chattisgarhi. They have a unique ritual of burning their feet.
- Lifestyle: Their primary occupation includes hunting and mining.
11. Ghasia
- Location: Sonbhadra, Mirzapur.
- Features: They speak Bundelkhandi Hindi and are involved in agriculture and making combs.
- Lifestyle: They cultivate crops and are known for their comb-making skills.
12. Kol
- Location: Allahabad, Varanasi, Banda.
- Features: They are primarily agriculturalists and depend on forest resources.
- Lifestyle: They collect leaves and firewood from forests.
Important Scheduled Tribes in Uttar Pradesh
Here is a summary of some important Scheduled Tribes and their locations:
| Tribe | Locations |
|---|---|
| Kharwar | Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Deoria, Ghazipur |
| Saharia | Lalitpur |
| Pathari | Sonbhadra |
| Baiga | Sonbhadra |
| Agariya | Sonbhadra |
| Chero | Sonbhadra, Varanasi |
| Mahigeer | Bijnor, Jalalabad |
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Uttar Pradesh
Introduction to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)
In India, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are groups that have faced historical disadvantages. In the past, during British rule, these groups were known as “depressed classes.” In modern times, the term “Dalit” is often used for Scheduled Castes.
Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Uttar Pradesh
According to the 2011 Census, Uttar Pradesh has a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 1,134,273, which makes up 0.57% of the state’s total population.
Distribution of ST Population in Uttar Pradesh
- Highest ST Population:
- Sonbhadra: 20.7%
- Lalitpur: 5.9%
- Deoria: 3.5%
- Ballia: 3.4%
- Lowest ST Population:
- Baghpat: 0.001%
- Kannauj: 0.001%
- Budaun: 0.002%
- Bulandshahr: 0.006%
- Muzaffarnagar: 0.008%
Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has the highest concentration of SCs in India. According to the 2011 Census, the SC population in the state is 41,357,608, which is 21.2% of the state’s total population.
Distribution of SC Population in Uttar Pradesh
- Highest SC Population:
- Kaushambi: 34.7%
- Bareilly: 12.5%
- Balrampur: 12.9%
- Gautam Buddh Nagar: 13.1%
- Rampur: 13.2%
- Lowest SC Population:
- Baghpat: 0.1%
- Saravasti: 0.2%
- Gautam Buddh Nagar: 0.3%
- Mahoba: 0.4%
Facts about SC and ST Population
Districts with the Highest SC Population
- Sitapur
- Allahabad
- Hardoi
- Azamgarh
- Khiri
Districts with the Lowest SC Population
- Baghpat
- Saravasti
- Gautam Buddh Nagar
- Mahoba
Districts with the Highest Percentage of SC Population
- Kaushambi
- Sitapur
- Hardoi
- Unnao
Districts with the Lowest Percentage of SC Population
- Baghpat
- Bareilly
- Balrampur
Districts with the Highest ST Population
- Sonbhadra
- Ballia
- Deoria
- Kushinagar
Districts with the Lowest ST Population
- Baghpat
- Kannauj
- Badaun
- Etah
Districts with the Highest Percentage of ST Population
- Sonbhadra
- Lalitpur
- Deoria
Districts with the Lowest Percentage of ST Population
- Baghpat
- Kannauj
- Badaun
Literacy Rates Among Tribes
Among the various tribes in Uttar Pradesh, the Tharu and Bhoksa tribes have the highest literacy rates.
Major Scheduled Castes of Uttar Pradesh
Below is a list of some important Scheduled Caste communities in Uttar Pradesh:
- Agariya
- Badhik
- Badi
- Baheliya
- Baiswar
- Bajgi
- Balahar
- Balai
- Bangali
- Bansphor
- Barwar
- Basor
- Bawariya
- Bedia
- Beldar
- Bhantu
- Bhuiya
- Bhuiyar
- Boria
- Chamar
- Chero
- Dhanger
- Dhanuk
- Dharkar
- Dhobi
- Domar
- Domba
- Gharami
- Ghasiya
- Gondi
- Habura
- Hela
- Jatav
- Kalabaz
- Kanjar
- Kapariya
- Karwal
- Khairaha
- Kharot
- Kharwar
- Kori
- Korwa
- Lal Begi
- Majhwar
- Mazhabi (Sikh)
- Musahar
- Nat
- Parahiya
- Pasi
- Paswan
- Patari
- Patharkat
- Sahariya
- Sansiya
- Tiar
- Turahiya
- Valmiki
Important Scheduled Castes Explained
- Jatav: A significant SC group in Uttar Pradesh, making up 54% of the state’s SC population. Many Jatavs practice Hinduism, though some have converted to Buddhism.
- Chamar: Known for their traditional work in tanning and leathercraft. They are a major SC community in Uttar Pradesh.
- Dhobi: Historically, Dhobis were involved in laundry work. They are a strictly endogamous community, speaking various dialects of Hindi.
- Dhanuk: The name “Dhanuk” comes from the Sanskrit word for “bowman.” They face social discrimination but continue to be a distinct SC community.
FAQs
1. How many Scheduled Tribes are there in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: 10
2. Which of the following is not the main tribe found in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Bhotia
3. Which of the following is a Scheduled Tribe recognized in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Tharu
4. Which tribe has the highest population in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Tharu
5. Tharu tribe is found in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Gorakhpur and Maharajganj
6. Tharu tribe is found in which of the following states of India?
ANSWER: Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh
7. Bhoksa tribesmen are residents of which district of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Barabanki
8. The tribe having features resembling Mongloid race is
ANSWER: Bhoksa
9. Which tribe has the class division same as Hindus?
ANSWER: Tharu
10. What is the main profession of Mahigeer tribe?
ANSWER: Fishing
11. Which tribe has been described in the Mahabharata?
ANSWER: Gond
12. The Kharwar tribe resides in which of the districts of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: All of the above
13. Surajbansi, Pathbandi, Daulatbandi are the sub-tribes of which tribe?
ANSWER: Kharwar
14. Nahar, Bijhwar, Narotia are sub-castes of which tribe?
ANSWER: Aheria
15. Rai Bhain, Kadh Bhain, Narotia and Bharotiya are prominent subcastes of which of the following Scheduled Tribe?
ANSWER: Tharu
16. Which tribe originally belongs to Chandravanshi Rajput?
ANSWER: Saharia
17. Chero tribe is sub-divided into which group?
ANSWER: Chaudhary and Mahto
18. Which tribesmen trace their origin from Sabri of the Ramayana?
ANSWER: Chero
19. Which tribe is often known as Ban-Manus or cave dwellers?
ANSWER: Raji
20. Which tribe has a patriarchal and patrilineal system?
ANSWER: Kharwar
21. Agariya tribesmen live in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Sonbhadra
22. Kol tribe is found in which district?
ANSWER: Barabanki
23. Patari tribes are mainly found in
ANSWER: Sonbhadra
24. The Pahariya tribe resides in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Sonbhadra
25. What percentage of Scheduled Tribe population shares in the total population of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: 0.57%
26. Which district of Uttar Pradesh has the highest population of Scheduled Tribe?
ANSWER: Sonbhadra
27. Which of the following is the biggest tribe of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Tharu
28. Name the Scheduled Caste which has 54% of Uttar Pradesh’s total SC population.
ANSWER: Jatav
29. Name the community which is expert in tanning and leather craft?
ANSWER: Chamar
30. Which tribes have the highest literacy rate among all tribes?
ANSWER: I and II (Tharu and Bhoksa)
31. Which of the following is correctly matched?
ANSWER: Bhoksa – Bijnor
32. Match the following lists.
List I (Tribe) – List II (Occupation)
A. Tharu – 3. Agriculture
B. Mahigeer – 4. Fishing
C. Kharwar – 2. Labour
D. Bhoksa – 1. Wood cutting
ANSWER: 3 4 2 1
