Bhil
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Gujarat | 3,441,945[1] |
| Madhya Pradesh | 4,619,068[2] |
| Maharashtra | 1,818,792[3] |
| Rajasthan | 2,805,948[4] |
| Languages | |
| Bhil languages | |
Bhils are a tribal people of Central India. They speak Bhil languages, a group of Indic languages. Bhils are also settled in Tharparkar district of Sindh in Pakistan.
Bhils are a scheduled tribe in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan in western and central India, as well as in Tripura in far-eastern India, on the border with Bangladesh.
The Ghoomar dance is one well-known aspect of Bhil culture.
Origin
Historically, Bhil community were tribals, who used to reside in deep forest area and were expert in hunting and fearsome tribe. In feudal and colonial times, many Bhils were employed by the ruling Rajputs in various capacities, e.g. as Shikaris because of their knowledge of the terrain. Many had even become warriors in armies. They were in the Mewar army of Maharana Pratap Singh and like Chhatrapati Shivaji, were experts in guerilla warfare which the Mughals had so much trouble handling. Today, there is a Mewar Bhil Corps.'[5]
In Hindu Mythology, popular Bhil figures are Shabari, who offered Rama and Laxmana half-eaten Ber (berries) fruit when they were searching for Sita Devi in the forest. Maharishi Matanga was another Hindu Bhil sage who became a Brahmana.
In Mahabharata also there is a popular story of Eklavya, a Bhil, who developed his archery skill as equal to Arjun. So Guru Dronacharya, asked his thumb in Guru-Dakshina
It is noteworthy that Lord Rama appears in a Bhil myth where there has been a flood that wiped out humanity and Rama suggests how it can be repopulated.[6]
Present Circumstances
The Bhil are now mainly a community of settled farmers, with a significant minority who are landless agricultural labourers. A significant subsidiary occupation remains hunting and gathering. The Bhil are now largely Hindu, with Nidhi and Tadvi Bhil following Islam, and few sub-groups in the Dangs following Christainity. They continue to worship tribal deities such as Mogra Deo and Sitla Matta. [7][8]
Sub-Division
The Bhil are divided into a number of endogamous territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. There main divisions in Gujarat are the Barda, Bhil Dungri Garasia and Bhil Vasava.[7]
Images
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Bhil tribal girls in Jhabua -
A Bhil tribe in Jhabua forests
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Bhil girl in Raisen district, MP -
Bhil woman in Raisen district, MP -
Bhil woman in Raisen district, MP -
Bhil woman in Raisen district, MP
See also
References
- ^ "Gujarat: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ^ "Madhya Pradesh: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
- ^ "Maharashtra: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ^ "Rajasthan: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ^ "The Mewar Encyclopedia". Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "Food stories from around the World". Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One edited by R.B Lal, S.V Padmanabham & A Mohideen page 214 to 221 Popular Prakashan
- ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part One edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 280-286
External links
- Bhil
- Indigenous peoples of South Asia
- Indigenous peoples of India
- Ethnic groups in Pakistan
- Malwa
- Social groups of Rajasthan
- Sindhi tribes
- Maharana Pratap
- Telugu society
- Hindu communities
- Social groups of Maharashtra
- Social groups of Gujarat
- Social groups of Madhya Pradesh
- Tribal communities of Gujarat
- Tribal communities of Maharashtra