• Bhil tribe is the largest tribe of M.P. According to the
Census 2011, the population of Bhils in M.P. is 46.18
lakh followed by Gonds (43.57 lakh).
•  Origin : Proto Australoid, some scholars assume it to
be of Dravidian or Kolerian Race.
•  Mainly concentrated in Dhar, Jhabua, Ratlam and
Nimar districts.
•   Mythological meaning of Bhil is ‘Bow’. (Bhil is derived
from primitive word Bhil ‘Dhanush’).
•   Bhil, Bhilala, Pataliya, Rathiyas, Baigas are its
subtribes.
Their social organisation is based on the village or
place where they live, and it is known as Falya.
•   Endogamy is strictly prohibited in this tribe.
•   They follow different marriage rituals such as :
Apaharan (Kidnapping), Bhai-Bhai, Natra, Ghar Jamai
etc.
•   Bridal Price (Dowry) is also prevalent in them, but it
has decreased after the Surma Das and Govindgiri
movement.