Tribal Communities of UP
Tharu, Kol, Buksa, Agariya, Chero, Gond, and other Scheduled Tribes of Uttar Pradesh — location, customs, welfare schemes for UPSSSC AGTA exam.
Tribal Population in UP — An Overview
Uttar Pradesh has one of the lowest Scheduled Tribe (ST) populations among major Indian states, yet its tribal communities carry rich and ancient cultural traditions.
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| ST population | ~0.6% of UP’s total population |
| Approximate number | ~11–12 lakh (Census 2011) |
| Recognized STs | 15+ tribes notified under the Constitution |
| Concentration areas | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur (Vindhyan belt) and Terai (northern border) |
The tribes were formally recognized in UP through the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2003, which added several communities to the ST list for UP.
Geographical Distribution
UP’s tribal communities cluster in two distinct zones:
| Zone | Region | Key Tribes | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern/Vindhyan | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot | Kol, Gond, Agariya, Chero, Korwa, Baiga, Parahiya | Hilly, forested Vindhyan plateau |
| Northern/Terai | Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bahraich, Shravasti | Tharu, Buksa/Bhoksa | Sub-Himalayan marshy Terai belt |
Major Tribes of UP
Tharu — The Largest Tribe
Tharu is the largest tribal group in northern UP, inhabiting the Terai region along the Indo-Nepal border.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Terai — Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bahraich, Shravasti |
| Population rank | Largest tribe in UP’s Terai region |
| Language | Tharu language (Indo-Aryan family, multiple dialects) |
| Occupation | Agriculture (rice, wheat), fishing, forest collection |
| Special feature | Natural immunity/resistance to malaria — a genetic adaptation to marshy Terai |
| Religion | Hindu with strong animistic traditions, worship of local deities |
| Festivals | Maghi (Magh month new year), Holi, Diwali |
| Dance | Jhumar, Sakhiyan |
| Housing | Mud-and-thatch houses with distinctive architecture |
| Connection | Dudhwa National Park falls in Tharu homeland |
The Tharu claim descent from the Rajputs of Rajasthan — according to oral tradition, Tharu women fled to the Terai forests to escape Mughal invasions. Their genetic resistance to malaria allowed them to thrive in the mosquito-infested Terai marshlands where others could not settle.
Exam Tip: Tharu = Terai + Malaria resistance + Largest tribe of northern UP.
Kol — The Vindhyan People
Kol is the largest tribal group in the Vindhyan region of UP, concentrated in Sonbhadra and Mirzapur.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Prayagraj (southern fringe) |
| Population rank | Largest tribe in southern UP |
| Language | Kol dialect (close to Baghelkhandi Hindi) |
| Occupation | Agriculture, stone quarrying, forest produce collection |
| History | Kol Revolt of 1831 — one of earliest tribal uprisings in India (though primarily in Chhota Nagpur, Kol identity connects) |
| Religion | Hindu with animistic practices |
| Social structure | Clan-based, strong community bonds |
Gond
Gond is one of India’s largest tribal communities, with a presence in the Sonbhadra-Mirzapur belt of UP.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur |
| Language | Gondi (Dravidian family) and local Hindi |
| History | Once ruled Gondwana kingdoms in central India |
| Occupation | Agriculture, forest produce, labor |
| Art | Gond painting — intricate dot-and-line art (gaining global recognition) |
| Festival | Karma, Navakhani (new grain celebration) |
Agariya — The Iron Smelters
Agariya is a small but culturally significant tribe known for their traditional iron-smelting skills.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Mirzapur, Sonbhadra |
| Traditional occupation | Iron smelting and blacksmithing |
| Mythology | Believe they are descendants of Agyasur, a fire spirit |
| Current status | Traditional smelting nearly extinct due to modern industry |
| Livelihood shift | Moved to agriculture and daily wage labor |
| Documented by | Ethnographer Verrier Elwin studied Agariya in detail |
Exam Tip: Agariya = Iron smelting + Mirzapur + Verrier Elwin documentation.
Chero
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Sonbhadra |
| Historical significance | Ruled parts of Rohtas and Palamu in medieval period |
| Occupation | Agriculture, animal husbandry |
| Status | Once warrior rulers, now marginalized |
Korwa
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Sonbhadra |
| Classification | Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) |
| Occupation | Food gathering, shifting cultivation (jhum) |
| Population | Very small, highly vulnerable |
Buksa / Bhoksa
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Bijnor district (Terai-Bhabar belt, near Uttarakhand border) |
| Occupation | Agriculture, animal husbandry |
| Language | Buksa dialect |
| Special feature | One of the few tribes in western UP |
Sahariya
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Lalitpur district (Bundelkhand) |
| Classification | PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) |
| Occupation | Forest produce, agriculture |
| Name meaning | ”Sahar” = forest — “people of the forest” |
Baiga
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Sonbhadra |
| Occupation | Shifting cultivation, forest produce |
| Special role | Traditional medicine men and ritual healers |
| Tattoo | Baiga women are famous for extensive body tattooing |
Other Recognized Tribes
| Tribe | Region | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Parahiya | Sonbhadra | Hill-dwelling, food gathering |
| Patari | Sonbhadra-Mirzapur | Small population, agricultural |
| Kanjar | Various districts | Historically nomadic |
| Bhotia | UP-Uttarakhand border | Trans-Himalayan traders |
| Jaunsar | Northern border | Hill community |
Master Reference Table
| Tribe | Region | Primary Occupation | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tharu | Terai (Lakhimpur Kheri) | Agriculture, fishing | Malaria resistance |
| Kol | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur | Agriculture, quarrying | Largest in Vindhyan belt |
| Gond | Sonbhadra, Mirzapur | Agriculture, art | Gond painting tradition |
| Agariya | Mirzapur | Iron smelting | Traditional metallurgists |
| Chero | Sonbhadra | Agriculture | Former ruling tribe |
| Korwa | Sonbhadra | Food gathering | PVTG status |
| Buksa | Bijnor | Agriculture | Western UP tribe |
| Sahariya | Lalitpur | Forest produce | PVTG status |
| Baiga | Sonbhadra | Shifting cultivation | Traditional healers |
Tribal Welfare Initiatives
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 342 — President notifies Scheduled Tribes for each state
- Article 275(1) — Grants for tribal welfare from Consolidated Fund of India
- Fifth Schedule — Administration of Scheduled Areas (parts of Sonbhadra)
- Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) — Recognizes tribal rights over forest land and resources
Government Schemes
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana | Holistic tribal development |
| Eklavya Model Residential Schools | Quality education for tribal children |
| ST scholarship schemes | Educational scholarships at all levels |
| TRIFED | Marketing support for tribal products |
| PM-JANMAN | Development of PVTGs |
Exam Tip: Korwa and Sahariya are PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) in UP — the most at-risk category.
Key Takeaways
- UP has approximately 0.6% ST population — one of the lowest among major states
- Two concentration zones: Vindhyan belt (Sonbhadra-Mirzapur) and Terai (northern border)
- Tharu (Terai, malaria-resistant) is the largest northern UP tribe
- Kol is the largest Vindhyan region tribe
- Agariya are traditional iron smelters of Mirzapur
- Korwa and Sahariya have PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) status
- Forest Rights Act 2006 is the key legislation for tribal land rights
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| UP ST population | ~0.6% |
| Largest tribe (Terai) | Tharu |
| Tharu special trait | Malaria resistance |
| Largest tribe (Vindhyan) | Kol |
| Iron smelting tribe | Agariya |
| PVTG tribes in UP | Korwa, Sahariya |
| Gond famous art | Gond painting |
| Buksa region | Bijnor district |
| Baiga special role | Traditional healers |
| Key tribal legislation | Forest Rights Act, 2006 |
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