Rajasthan Tribes and People

Rajasthan, like the rest of India, is a place with multiple ethnic and groups and people of all religions leave here in harmony. Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism are the prominent religions here. The earliest settlers were tribes. Meena and Bhil are the two prominent tribes that are still active in the state. Later on, as Rajasthan is a border state, it was frequently invaded and has assimilated the various cultural influences.

Among the Hindu communities, the Rajput community that has ruled Rajasthan for quite some time is supposed to have descended from Aryans. It is believed that once the Aryans invaded and settled here, the local tribes were pushed outwards. Rajputs are primarily a warrior community. Most of the ruling communities have been Rajputs and still are very influential in the state.  

Brahmins are the people who have traditionally been priests in temples; in Rajasthan they have been involved in administration and have found jobs earlier in the courts of princes and now in the government. Prominent trading communities are the Jains and Marwaris (of the erstwhile Marwar kingdom). The prominent Jain community is Oswal that hails from Osian. Muslims are nearly 10% of the population.

In India, the caste system is organized according to people’s professions. Thus, in Rajasthan also the various sub castes are found in abundance. Among these, there are several groups who specialize in music, singing, dance, puppetry, crafts as well as in managing cattle and so on.

Rajasthan has a rich diversity of people who have contributed to making the heritage of the state rich and colourful.