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India is one of the few nations that comprises of multitude of religions, castes, creeds and tribes. The country has a huge tribal population, which has been in the country for ages. The Constitution of India formally recognizes several tribes and gives them the status of a 'Scheduled Tribe'. Every state and union territory in India comprises of several tribes with different ethnicities and identities. Tribal Terrain The tribes of India are mainly concentrated in the rural areas or near the forested areas in the country. The tribes were initially very illiterate and backward and were one of the neglected sections in the country. However, the Government of India has made concerted efforts to enhance the standard of living and the overall condition of these tribes. The government is trying to educate these tribes without destroying their culture or traditions. Though, the tribal culture seems very backward and strange, some of the tribal traditions are based on scientific rules and modern principles. The tribes of India continue to be an interesting facet that attracts art lovers and researchers from far off nations. The leading tribes include the Bhils, the Gonds, Khasi, Mishing, Santal, Thakar, Nagas, Mizo and such other numerous tribes. The Bhils are one of the largest tribes in India and are spread over an extensive area in the country. The Bhils mainly inhabit central and western India, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, the tribe is also found to some extent in the northeastern state of Tripura. During the medieval and the British ages, the Bhils were a part of the royal armies and were well known for their bravery and fighting spirit. Apart from the Bhils, yet another important tribe in India is the Gond tribe. The Gonds are also spread extensively over central India. The areas dominated by the Gonds include Madhya Pradesh, eastern Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and northern Andhra Pradesh. The Gonds are pre-dominantly agriculturists and mainly practice shifting cultivation. The Gonds mainly speak dialects based on the Dravidian languages. Eastern Tribes The northeastern part of India has the maximum number of tribal population. Since the northeastern states comprise thick forest cover, several tribes have been residing in these areas since a long time. One of the most prominent tribes in the north east of India is the Naga tribe. Apart from Nagaland, the tribes are also spread over the states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The other tribes from the east that have a significant population are the Bodos, Mizos and the Santhals. Several of the Indian tribes are considered as one of the oldest inhabitants on earth. In fact, according to a few researchers some of the tribes of India actually hold the key to human evolution.
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