D.N. Majumdar and T.N. Madan in their book Introduction to Social
Anthropology (1956) have also offered a similar classification. They are Northern
and North-Eastern Zone, the Central or Middle Zone and the Southern Zone.
S.C. Dube has demarcated four geographical regions including the North and
North-Eastern Zone, Middle Zone, the South Zone and the West Zone.
Taking into consideration the zonal classification given by different
anthropologists from time to time and keeping in mind the geographical,
ecological, socio-economic, administrative, ethnic and racial factors,
L.P.Vidyarthi put forward a five-fold classification system which included the
following: the Himalayan region, Middle India, Western India, South India and
the Islands.
I) The Himalayan region is sub-divided into:
A) North-eastern Himalayan region comprising the states of Assam,
Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
and the mountaineous region of West Bengal including Darjeeling.
B) Central Himalayan region comprising the Terai areas of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar.
C) North-Western Himalayan region comprising the states of Himachal
Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The tribes inhabiting this region are the Akas, Daflas, Apatanis, Mishmis,
Khamptis, Singphos, Kukis, Khasis, Garos, Lepchas, Bhotias, Tharus, etc.
II) Middle India Region comprising the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa
and Madhya Pradesh. About 55% of the total tribal population of the country
lives in this region. The tribes inhabiting this region are the Juangs, Kharia,
Khonds, Bhumijs, Baiga, Muria, Marias, Mundas, Gonds, Santhals, Oraons,
etc.
III) Western India Region comprising the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Goa and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The
tribes inhabiting this region are the Barodias, Bharwads, Bhils, Damors,
Dhanwars, Dhodias, Girasias, Gonds, Katkaris, Koknas, Kolis, Minas, Siddi,
Warlis, etc.
IV) South India Region comprising the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Kerala. The tribes inhabiting this region are the Chenchus,
Irulas, Paniyans, Kurumbas, Kadars, Todas, Badagas, Kotas, etc.
V) The Island Region comprising the islands of Andaman and Nicobar in the
Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea. The tribes inhabiting
this region are the Jarwas, Onges, the GreatAndamanese, North Sentinelese,
etc.
K.S. Singh has offered a similar classification of tribes of India into the North-
eastern India, Middle India, Southern India, North-western Himalayas, and
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Zones.