Tribe is generally understood as a social group whose members share common territory, language, cultural traditions, customs, beliefs, and a sense of collective identity. Traditionally, tribes have been associated with relatively simple social organisation, close community relationships, dependence on forests and natural resources, and distinctive cultural practices. In India, the term “tribe” is commonly used for communities officially recognised as Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution. However, Indian tribes are not a homogeneous category. They differ considerably in language, economy, political organisation, religion, settlement pattern, and level of interaction with wider society. Examples include the Gonds, Bhils, Santhals, Todas, Nagas and Mundas. Anthropologists have debated whether tribes