The population of Rajasthan is 64.07 million (2006-07), an increase of some 47.57 million since 1951.
Nearly ninety percent of Rajasthan’s population is Hindu with Muslims making up the largest minority with eight percent of the population. Jam-the merchant and traders from Rajasthan constitute a significant presence. Schedule Castes (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST) form about seventy percent and twelve percent of the state population respectively.
The population of the tribal in Rajasthan is nearly a double of the national average, with original inhabitants Bhil and the Meena forming the largest group. Lesser known tribes like Sahariya, Damariyas, Garasia, and Lohars still form an important group.
The Bhil are concentrated in the area around Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Dungarpur in the south corner of the state constituting a formidable 39 percent of the tribal population. Regarded as warriors with fine inherent guerrilla tactics, their archery skills find mention in the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Rajput rulers valued the guerrilla tactics of the Bhil and without their active support the Mughal and the Maratha attacks could not have been repelled. With improved communication and rapid growth in the economy, the Bhil’s way of living is slowly changing from their original hunting and gathering existence to one near the mainstream.
After the Bhil the Meena are the second largest group and the most widely spread throughout eastern Rajasthan. The Yedas and the Mahahharata mention them and it was the Kaehhwaha Rajputs who brought their downfall from the ruling tribe. Most Meena are cultivators and worship Lord Shiva. Named after their beautiful Gadis (Bullock Carts), Gadia Lohar were originally a martial Rajput tribe who wandered from their homeland of Mewar once their lord Maharana Pratap was ousted from Chittorgarh by Akbar. These days they are blacksmiths and prefer to remain nomadic rather than resettle. Another nomadic community is Rabari or Raika, of which there are two groups— Maru (Camel Breeders) and the Chakia (Sheep Breeders). The Garasia – a minor lot is a small tribe found in the Abu Road area of southern Rajasthan. The Sahariya are thought to be of Bhil origin and regarded as the most backward tribe in Rajasthan and eke out a living as unskilled labourers inhabiting the areas of Kota and Sawai Madhopur in the south-east of the state.
The Gurjar in the eastern part of the Rajasthan including Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur and Kota region dominate.
Language
There are several local dialects with regional variations intimately linked with Marwari, the predominant language of Rajasthan. Hindi, the official language of Rajasthan is spoken by the majority. English is widely spoken by people engaged in the hospitality industry and business. You can engage the services of English, French, German, Spanish and other foreign language speaking tourist guides at places of tourist interest.
??Padharo’ is the most frequently used word, meaning Welcome. In Rajasthan one would see words of Hindi and English both used in signages, mile-stones, shop and signboards etc.
