Match the Tribe with the percentage they constitute of Rajasthan's ST population: A. Meena - 1. ~50% B. Bhil - 2. 2.84% C. Garasia - 3. 44.38%

Answer: A-1, B-3, C-2. Meena ~50%, Bhil 44.38%, Garasia 2.84% of Rajasthan's ST population.

The Sahariya tribe is classified as a PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group). They reside EXCLUSIVELY in which district of Rajasthan?

Answer: Baran. Sahariyas are exclusively found in Shahabad and Kishanganj tehsils of Baran district.

Which tribe claims Rajput ancestry and uses the word 'Garas' meaning 'land' in their name?

Answer: Garasia. Garasia means 'one who holds land' and many are believed to be descendants of Rajput warriors.

Consider the following statements about 'Mautana' custom: 1. It demands compensation from the family responsible for an unnatural death. 2. It is practiced by Bhil and Garasia tribes. 3. Refusing to pay can lead to 'Chadhotra' (property destruction).

Answer: All 1, 2 and 3 are correct. All three statements accurately describe the Mautana custom and its consequences.

The word 'Bhil' is derived from the Dravidian word 'Bil' which means:

Answer: Bow and Arrow. Bhils are famed as skilled archers, which is the origin of their name.

Assertion (A): Nata Pratha is not legally recognized in Rajasthan. Reason (R): It allows partners to live together without formal marriage and is prevalent among many tribal communities.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Nata Pratha's informal nature is indeed the reason for its lack of legal recognition.

Match the Village Administrative term with the Tribe it belongs to: A. Patel - 1. Garasia B. Gameti - 2. Meena C. Nyat (Social Council) - 3. Bhil D. Maharo - 4. Rabari

Answer: A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1. Patel=Meena village head, Gameti=Bhil village head, Nyat=Rabari's council.

The Gavri dance-drama of the Bhil tribe in Mewar has a unique restriction: who can perform it?

Answer: Only male members (including children). Women are strictly excluded during the 40-day Gavri performance period.

Which two districts of Rajasthan have the highest PERCENTAGE of Scheduled Tribe population?

Answer: Banswara (76.4%) and Dungarpur (70.8%). These two southern Rajasthan districts have majority tribal populations.

The Meena tribe traces its origin to which deity/avatar?

Answer: Matsya Avatar (Fish Avatar of Vishnu). Matsya = Fish in Sanskrit, and Meena also means fish, establishing their connection.

The Bhil tribal village's basic smallest unit is called:

Answer: Fala. Multiple Falas form a Paal (larger Bhil village group).

The Garasia tribe is mainly found in which tehsils of Sirohi and Pali districts?

Answer: Abu Road-Pindwara (Sirohi) and Bali (Pali). These are the core Garasia habitation zones in Rajasthan.

What is the Bhil tribal settlement near a water source called?

Answer: Phal/Fala. Fala is the Bhil hamlet typically clustered around water/fields.

Consider statements about Sahariya tribe: 1. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). 2. Their settlements are called 'Saharana'. 3. They are the largest tribal group in Rajasthan.

Answer: Only 1 and 2 are correct. Meena is the largest; Sahariya is classified as PVTG and their settlements are Saharana.

The Garasia tribe is known for a unique marriage where couples elope during which annual fair?

Answer: Gaur Fair (in March). The Gaur Fair is the annual Garasia gathering where elopement marriages are a traditional practice.

Which principal character in the Gavri dance represents Goddess Parvati?

Answer: Rai. Rai = Parvati/Gauri; Buriya = Bhasmasur in the Gavri myth.

Which tribe's divorce custom is called 'Cheda Phodna' (Breaking the Token)?

Answer: Meena. Cheda Phodna is a formal divorce ritual of the Meena tribe.

The Rabari tribe's social council is known as:

Answer: Nyat. The Nyat decides on social issues, marriages, and disputes within the Rabari community.

Which district of Rajasthan has the HIGHEST ABSOLUTE NUMBER of tribal population?

Answer: Udaipur (15.25 lakh). While Banswara has the highest percentage, Udaipur has the highest absolute tribal count.

The Bhil tribe performs Gavri annually for 40 days. When does it typically occur?

Answer: July to September (after Raksha Bandhan). Gavri begins the day after Raksha Bandhan and runs for 40 days into monsoon season.

Identify the incorrect pairing of tribe with their primary occupation:

Answer: Meena - Camel herding. Meenas are primarily farmers and settled agriculturists, not camel herders (Rabari do that).

The Sahariya tribe's origin is sometimes linked to which character from the Ramayana?

Answer: Shabari (the devout tribal woman). Sahariyas claim descent from Shabari who served Lord Ram's favorite berries.

What is the peculiar feature of Garasia women compared to men in their social custom?

Answer: Women hold a superior position; men bear all wedding expenses. The Garasia society has unique women's rights traditions differentiating it from patriarchal norms.

Total tribal (ST) population of Rajasthan as per 2011 Census constitutes approximately what percentage of the total state population?

Answer: 13.48%. 92.39 lakh tribals = 13.48% of Rajasthan's total population (2011 Census).

The Nata Pratha is criticized because:

Answer: Women's consent is often overlooked and children from previous relationships may be abandoned. NHRC and women's rights groups have raised concerns about the social harms of Nata Pratha.

What materials do Sahariya people use to build their traditional homes (Patore)?

Answer: Stone boulders and slabs. The stone houses called Patore are typical of Sahariya forest-fringe settlements.

The Meena tribe's home is called:

Answer: Tapra. Tapra is the traditional Meena dwelling.

The Rabari tribe considers which animal as their protector, giving rise to a unique human-wildlife coexistence?

Answer: Leopard. Jawai region in Pali is famous for Rabari-leopard coexistence, as they consider it sacred.

Which of the following describes the Garasia's 'Mell Marriage' (Encounter Marriage)?

Answer: Couples meet at a fair and elope, formalizing later with bride price. This elopement at the Gaur Fair is a hallmark Garasia cultural practice.

Identify the INCORRECT fact about the Bhil tribe:

Answer: Bhils constitute ~70% of Rajasthan's ST population. Bhils constitute 44.38%, not 70%, of the ST population; Meena has ~50%.

Assertion (A): Nata Pratha is not legally recognized in Rajasthan. Reason (R): It allows partners to live together without formal marriage and is prevalent among many tribal communities.

Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

The Gavri dance-drama of the Bhil tribe in Mewar has a unique restriction: who can perform it?

Only male members (including children)

Which two districts of Rajasthan have the highest PERCENTAGE of Scheduled Tribe population?

Banswara (76.4%) and Dungarpur (70.8%)

The Meena tribe traces its origin to which deity/avatar?

Matsya Avatar (Fish Avatar of Vishnu)

The Garasia tribe is mainly found in which tehsils of Sirohi and Pali districts?

Abu Road-Pindwara (Sirohi) and Bali (Pali)

The Bhil tribe performs Gavri annually for 40 days. When does it typically occur?

July to September (after Raksha Bandhan)

Identify the incorrect pairing of tribe with their primary occupation:

Rabari - Livestock herding (camels/sheep)

Sahariya - Hunting, gathering, and herbal knowledge

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Social Life III: Tribes & Customs

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1. Rajasthan's Major Tribes (Population Order)

Rank	Tribe	% of ST Population	Primary Districts
1st	Meena	~50%	Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Dausa
2nd	Bhil	44.38%	Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur
3rd	Garasia	2.84%	Sirohi, Pali (Abu Road, Bali)
4th	Sahariya	PVTG	Baran (Shahabad, Kishanganj)

2. Tribe-Specific Key Facts

• Meena: Derive name from 'Matsya' (Fish). Village head: Patel. Home: Tapra. Divorce custom: Cheda Phodna. • Bhil: Name from Dravidian 'Bil' (Bow). Village head: Gameti. Large village: Paal. Small unit: Fala. War cry: Fayre-Fayre. • Garasia: Claim Rajput ancestry ('Garas' = land). Women participate in 'elopement marriage' at Gaur Fair. Unique women's rights culture. • Sahariya: Only tribe in Rajasthan classified as PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group). Found ONLY in Baran district (Shahabad & Kishanganj). Settlements called Saharana. • Rabari: Nomadic herders (camels, sheep). Women known for intricate embroidery. Social council: Nyat.

3. Key Tribal Customs

• Nata Pratha: Living together without formal marriage; practiced by Bhil, Meena, Garasia. Legally not recognized. • Mautana: Compensation demanded for unnatural death. Practiced by Bhil/Garasia. If refused, leads to Chadhotra (property destruction). • Gavri: 40-day dance-drama of Bhil tribe (Mewar region: Udaipur, Rajsamand). ONLY men perform. Key characters: Rai (Parvati) and Buriya (Bhasmasur).

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Social Life III: Tribes & Customs

Expert Answer & Key Takeaways

1. Rajasthan's Major Tribes (Population Order)

2. Tribe-Specific Key Facts

3. Key Tribal Customs

Course4All Editorial Board

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