The knowledge of any region is incomplete without knowing their people. The inhabitants of Rajasthan are friendly and amiable who welcome every visitor with open arms. Like the whole of India, Rajasthan also displays unity in diversity. The moment you enter this vivacious state, the warm and jolly nature of Rajasthani people will impress you deeply. In terms of demography, Rajasthan is a diverse state with people categorized on the basis of birth or occupation. Some parts of the state are thickly populated, while others are sparsely inhabited. According to the 2001 census, the population of Rajasthan is 56.5 million. Though Rajasthan was the land of the chivalrous Rajputs who were the rulers of the Rajputana, they are now a small number with regard to the total population of the state. Nonetheless, they are still the most influential section of the population of Rajasthan. The Rajputs belong to the famous clans of Sisodias, Chauhans, Rathores, Kacchwahas, Pawars, Bhatis, Solankis and even have an off-shoot known as Mussalman Rajputs or Mussalman Sipahis.Hindus account for 88.8% of the population of Rajasthan. Muslims constitute the next largest group with about 8.5% of the population, the rest being fulfilled by Sikhs, Jains, and Sindhis. Amongst the Hindus, the Brahmins present here are considered superior in caste as compared to other Hindu castes. The castes and sub-castes of people, today, are derived from the kind of professions their forefathers use to follow, though it is not necessary that they may follow the same profession. The Kayasths, Khatris, Bhandaris, Lodhas etc. belong to the writers and chroniclers community. The trading and mercantile communities are generally referred to as Marwaris which include the Maheshwaris, Aggarwals, Mahajans, Shrimals, and Lohias etc. The Oswals from the Osian region near Jodhpur are established traders and mostly Jains.
Rajasthan has a large indigenous tribal population further divided into numerous Jatis. The two prominent scheduled tribes of this region are the Meenas or Minas and the Bhils. The Meenas mostly inhabit Jaipur, Sawai-Madhopur, and Udaipur districts, while the Bhils are concentrated in the districts of Bhilwara, Dungarpur, Banswara, Chittaurgarh, Sirohi, and Udaipur and are ace archers. The Grasias and Sahariyas are the two other tribal groups of Rajasthan. The Banjaras and the Meos are the nomadic traders of Rajasthan. Marwari and Hindi are the two major languages spoken across Rajasthan amongst all religions, castes, and tribes. A noteworthy sense of admiration that makes Rajasthan unique is the realization that such a rich and discrete civilization has managed to survive till date. Also, all residents of Rajasthan coming from different backgrounds live harmoniously and happily with each other, which is incredible. People of Rajasthan offer you a reason to come back here again and again.
