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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Bhils or Bheel
| image =
| caption = Bhil girls in traditional dress, [[Jhabua district]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| population = '''{{Circa|17 million|lk=yes}}'''<ref name=Census2011/>
| region1 = {{flag|India}}
| pop1 = 16,908,907<ref name=list>{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SC/ST/ST%20Lists.pdf |title=List of notified Scheduled Tribes |publisher=Census India |access-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf |archive-date=7 November 2013 }}</ref><ref name=Census2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|title=A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix|access-date=2017-03-24|work=Census of India 2011|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India|Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner,used India]]}}</ref>
| region2 = {{spaces|8}}[[Madhya Pradesh]]
| pop2 = 5,993,921<ref name=Census2011/>
| region3 = {{spaces|8}}[[Gujarat]]
| pop3 = 4,215,603
| ref3 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region6 = {{spaces|8}}[[Rajasthan]]
| pop6 = 4,100,264
| ref6 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region7 = {{spaces|8}}[[Maharastra]]
| pop7 = 2,588,658
| ref7 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region8 = {{spaces|8}}[[Karnataka]]
| pop8 = 6,204
| ref8 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region9 = {{spaces|8}}[[Tripura]]
| pop9 = 3,105
| ref9 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region10 = {{spaces|8}}[[Andhra Pradesh]]
| pop10 = 604
| ref10 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region11 = {{spaces|8}}[[Chhattisgarh]]
| pop11 = 547
| ref11 = <ref name=Census2011/>
| region12 = {{flag|Pakistan}} ([[Sindh]])
| pop12 = 1.2 to 1.7 million (2020)<ref>Bhil of Pakistan, Hussain Ghulam (2020) Bielefeld University https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343611243_Bhil_of_Pakistan#:~:text=Although%20official%20population%20figures%20are,million%20(as%20of%202020)</ref>
| languages = [[Bhil languages]] •[[Marathi language|Marathi]]• [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] • [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] •[[Hindustani language|Hindi]]
| religions =
| related = [[Indo-Aryan peoples]], [[Bhel (tribe)]], [[Warli]], [[Halba (tribe)|Halba]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
}}
'''Bhils''' or '''Bheels''' are an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan speaking]] [[ethnic group]] in [[West India]]. They speak the [[Bhil languages]], a subgroup of the [[Indo-Aryan languages#Western Zone|Western Zone]] of the [[Indo-Aryan languages]]. As of 2013, Bhils were the largest tribal group in India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://tribal.nic.in/ST/StatisticalProfileofSTs2013.pdf|title=Statistical Profile of Scheduled Tribes in India|publisher=Ministry of Tribal Affairs|year=2013|location=New Delhi|pages=10}}</ref>

Bhils are listed as indigenous people of the states of [[Gujarat]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Rajasthan]]—all in the western [[Deccan]] regions and central India—as well as in [[Tripura]] in far-eastern India, on the border with [[Bangladesh]]. Bhils are divided into a number of [[endogamy|endogamous]] territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. Most Bhils now speak the language of the region they reside in, such as [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] or a [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] dialect.

==Etymology==
[[File:A family of Bhil hunters.jpg|thumb|A family of Bhil hunters]]
Some scholars suggest that the term Bhil is derived from the word ''billa'' or ''billu'' which means bow in the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian lexis]]. The term Bhil is used to refer to "various ethnic communities" living in the forests and hills of Rajasthan's southern parts and surrounding regions of western India, highlighting the "popularity of the bow and arrow as a weapon among these groups". It is also used as a blanket term to refer to the autochthonous peoples of these areas.<ref>{{cite book |title=Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life |volume=3 |edition=2, illustrated |year=2009 |page=131 |publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]] |place=Farmington Hills, Michigan |editor1-first=Timothy L. |editor1-last=Gall |editor2-first=Jeneen |editor2-last=Hobby |isbn=9781414448916 |oclc=1112785346 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QbhZAAAAYAAJ&q=Bhil+bow |quote=The name Bhil identifies various ethnic communities inhabiting the hills and forests of southern Rajasthan and neighboring areas of western India. Some scholars argue that "Bhil" comes from the Dravidian word for bow (''billa'' or ''billu'') and reflects the popularity of the bow and arrow as a weapon among these groups. The term is also used in a broader sense to refer to the aboriginal peoples of this region.}}</ref>

==History==
The Bhils of what is now the state of Gujurat rebelled on several occasions during the [[Colonial India|British colonial era]], notably in 1846, 1857–58 and 1868.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ETStkm6TcwcC&pg=PA124|title=Law Enforcement in Tribal Areas |first=S. K. |last=Ghosh |publisher=Ashish Publishing House |year=1987 |page=124|isbn=9788170241003 }}</ref>

Along with a number of other Indian social groups, the Bhils were designated as a [[Criminal Tribes|criminal tribe]] by the [[British Raj|British colonial governmen]] under the [[Criminal Tribes Act|Criminal Tribes Act 1871]], which meant that a Bhil could be "randomly picked up, tortured, maimed or even killed" by the colonial authorities. Susan Abraham notes that many of the tribes characterized as criminal under the Act had earlier rebelled against the [[East India Company]] and participated in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. She claims that the British colonial government legislated the Act in 1871 in the wake of these autochthonic tribes' proclivity for rebellion.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=34 |number=27 |date=July 1999 |pages=1751–1753 |publisher=Economic and Political Weekly |title=Steal or I'll Call You a Thief: 'Criminal' Tribes of India |first=Susan |last=Abraham |jstor=4408149}}</ref>

===Mutiny against Mewar State===
According to [[Ram Pande]], in 1881, the Bhils protested against "the census classification, prohibition on alcohol manufacture, establishment of police and customs, and the ban on the killing of witches". Their campaigning was stepped up and given meaning by Govind Guru who was a social and political leader. Pande suggests that because of his long-term work among the tribe, Guru was able to talk them round to refrain from consuming meat and alcohol, and to pressurize the state for the formation of village councils which could administer their own affairs and for barring forced labor. In 1917, [[Mewar State]]'s [[Girasia]]s joined the Bhils in the struggle to get the petty taxes and forced labour quashed, and to get the land revenues decreased. Taking note of these protests, the ''[[jagirdar]]s'' of Mewar had called on a British political agent to suppress the mutiny. Pande noted that 1,500 Bhils got shot in 1908. In 1921, the tribals and peasants united under the leadership of [[Motilal Tejawat]] in the struggle against "forced labour, petty taxes, the disparity in taxes, high taxes and the tyrannical ways of the ''jagirdars''". Tejawat's thoughts drew followers from the Bhils and Girasias of the [[Danta State|Danta]], [[Idar State|Idar]], [[Palanpur State|Palanpur]] and [[Sirohi State|Sirohi]] regions of Gujarat; and he "became a notorious offender against the [[State (polity)|state]]".<ref>{{cite book |title=Identity, Gender, and Poverty: New Perspectives on Caste and Tribe in Rajasthan |edition=illustrated |year=1997 |page=240 |publisher=[[Berghahn Books|Berghahn]] |place=Oxford; Providence |chapter=Class Resistance and Identity |first=Maya |last=Unnithan-Kumar |isbn=978-1571819185 |oclc=1043247151 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9ktWLud0oIC&pg=PA240}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
The Bhils are inhabitants of Dhar, Jhabua, Khargone and Ratlam districts of Madhya Pradesh. A large number of Bhils live in the neighbouring States of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. They constitute the third largest tribe of India; the first two being [[Gonds]] and Santhals <ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Maheshwari|first1=J. K.|last2=Kalakoti|first2=B. S.|last3=Lal|first3=Brij|title=Ethnomedicine of bhil tribe of jhabua district, m. P|date=1986|journal=Ancient Science of Life|volume=5|issue=4|pages=255–261|issn=0257-7941|pmc=3331472|pmid=22557535}}</ref> According to Victoria R. Williams, the Bhils are India's "most widely dispersed tribal group". A small population of Bhils also resides in Pakistan's [[Sindh]].<ref name="VRW"/>

== Present circumstances ==
The Bhil are classified as a [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Tribe]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Gujarat]], [[Karnataka]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], Rajasthan and [[Tripura]] under the [[Reservation in India|Indian government's reservation program]] of [[positive discrimination]].<ref name=list/>

== Sub-divisions ==
The Bhil are divided into a number of endogamous territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. In [[Rajasthan]], they exist as [[Meena]], [[Bhil Garasia]], [[Dholi Bhil]], [[Dungri Bhil]], [[Dungri Garasia]], [[Mewasi Bhil]], [[Rawal Bhil]], [[Tadvi Bhil]], [[Bhagalia]], [[Bhilala]], [[Pawra]], [[Vasava]] and [[Vasave]].<ref name="census2001">{{cite web|publisher=Census of India: Government of India |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/scst_main.html |date=7 March 2007 |title=List of Scheduled Tribes |access-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605042409/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/scst_main.html |archive-date=5 June 2010 }}</ref>{{efn|The [[Vasava]] and [[Vasave]] in [[Rajasthan]] may be alternate transliterations of the name for a single community. The sources are unclear regarding this.}}

== Language ==
[[File:A partial specimen of the Bhili Language.png|thumb|150px|Partial specimen of the Bhili language]]
The language commonly spoken by Bhils throughout their geographic distribution is [[Bhili language|Bhili]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hoQqpkfrXfAC&q=bhil+language|title=Ethnographic Atlas of Indian Tribes|last=Mehta|first=Sonu|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|year=2004|isbn=9788171418527|editor-last=Mehta|editor-first=Prakash Chandra|location=New Delhi|pages=191|chapter=Bhils - I}}</ref> Bhili has about up to 36 identified dialects and pronunciation differs by region.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite thesis|url=http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/14048|title=Dialect Continuum in the Bhil Tribal Belt: Grammatical Aspects|last=Phillips|first=Maxwell P.|publisher=University of London|year=2012|pages=23|type=phd}}</ref> Bhili is based on Gujarati, but dialects of Bhili gradually merge into more widely spoken languages such as Marathi in the southeast and Rajasthani in the northwest. Around 10 million people recorded themselves as speaking a Bhili dialect in the census.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tcTz54VVHF4C|title=Being Tribal|last=Ratnagar|first=Shereen|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010|isbn=9789380607023|location=Delhi}}</ref>

Estimates of individuals speaking the language are often inaccurate as speakers of minor languages like Bhili have sometimes been treated as having major languages (such as Marathi or Gujarati) as their mother tongue.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.96184|title=Census of India 1951|year=1954|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.96184/page/n69 61]|chapter=Paper No. I - Languages}}</ref>

== Culture ==
Bhils have rich and unique culture. The Bhilala sub-division is known for its [[Pithora (painting)|Pithora painting]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pachauri|first1=Swasti|title=Pithora art depicts different hues of tribal life|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/pithora-art-depicts-different-hues-of-tribal-life/|access-date=13 February 2015|work=Indian Express|date=26 June 2014}}</ref> [[Ghoomar]] is a traditional [[folk dance]] of Bhil tribe.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Inquisitive Social Sciences|last=Kumar|first=Ashok Kiran|publisher=S. Chand Publishing|year=2014|isbn=9789352831098|location=Republic of India|pages=93}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Native People of The World|last=Danver|first=Steven L.|publisher=Routledge|date=June 28, 2014|isbn=978-0765682949|location=United States of America|pages=522}}</ref> Ghoomar is the symbol of womanhood. Young girls take part in this dance and declare that they are stepping into the shoes of women.

=== Art ===

Bhil painting is characterised by the use of multi-coloured dots as in-filling. [[Bhuri Bai]] was the first Bhil artist to paint using readymade colours and paper. Other known Bhil artists include [[Lado bai|Lado Bai]], Sher Singh, Ram Singh and Dubu Bariya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artisera.com/blogs/expressions/bhil-art-how-a-tribe-uses-dots-to-make-their-story-come-alive|title=Bhil Art - How A Tribe Uses Dots To Make Their Story Come Alive|website=Artisera|access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
Main foods of Bhils are [[maize]], [[onion]], [[garlic]] and [[Chili pepper|chili]] which they cultivate in their small fields. They collect fruits and vegetables from the local forests. [[Wheat]] and [[rice]] are used at time of festivals and other special occasions only. They keep self-made bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc with them as weapons for self-defense and hunting the wild fauna which also form the major part of their diet. They profusely use alcohol distilled by them from the flower of Mahua ([[Madhuca longifolia]]). On festive occasions, various special preparation from the dish rich, i.e. maize, wheat, barley, malt and rice. Bhils are traditionally non-vegetarian.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UjhLDwAAQBAJ&q=Bhil+people+history&pg=PA4|title=Ethnobotany of Bhil Tribe|isbn=9789387307360|last1=Singh|first1=V. P.|last2=Jadhav|first2=Dinesh|date=January 2011}}</ref>

===Dress===
[[File:Bhil woman circa 1914.jpg|thumb|150px|A Bhil woman in gala dress]]
The traditional dresses of men are [[Pagri (turban)|Pagri]], [[Angarkha]], [[Dhoti]] and [[Gamchha]]. Traditionally women wear [[Sari]] and [[Ghagra Choli]].

There are many traditional ornaments of Bhils. Men wear [[Kara (jewellery)|Kada]], Bajuband, Chain, ear rings, Kardhani. Women wear variety of ornaments including hansli, ring, Zele-zumke, earring, narniyan{{which lang|date=July 2020}} (bangle), nathni (nose-jewel) etc. [[Tattooing]] is traditional custom among them. Women folks do tattooing generally before marriage.<ref name=":0" />

===Faith and worship===
Every village has its own local deity ([[Gramadevata|Gramdev]]) and families too have their Jatidev, [[Kuladevata|Kuldev]] and Kuldevi (house hold deity) which is symbolised by stones. 'Bhati dev' and 'Bhilat dev' are their serpent-god. 'Baba dev' is their village god. Karkulia dev is their crop god, Gopal dev is their pastoral god, Bag dev is their Lion god, Bhairav dev is their dog god. Some of their other gods are Indel dev, Bada dev, Mahadevel, Tejaji, Lotha mai, Techma, Orka Chichma and Kajal dev.

They have extreme and staunch faith in superstitious beliefs and [[Bhopa]]s for their physical, mental and psychological treatments.<ref name=":0" />

According to Victoria R. Williams, the Bhils "identify largely as Hindu". The Dang Bhils follow Christianity, and the Nirdhi and Tadivi Bhils follow Islam. A number of other Bhils follow Sonatan which is their "own religion". Williams states that Sonatan "blends Hindu beliefs and [[Animism|animistic philosophies]]".<ref name="VRW">{{cite book |title=Indigenous Peoples: An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival [4 Volumes] |edition=illustrated |year=2020 |page=179 |publisher=[[ABC-Clio]] |place=Santa Barbara, California |entry=Bhil |first=Victoria R. |last=Williams |isbn=978-1440861185 |oclc=1107833866 |entry-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_zRDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA179}}</ref>

===Festivals===
There are a number of festivals, viz. [[Raksha Bandhan|Rakhi]], [[Navratri]], [[Dashera]], [[Diwali]], [[Holi]] which are
celebrated by the Bhils. They also celebrate some traditional festivals viz. Akhatij, Navmi, Howan Mata ki Chalavani, Sawan Mata ki jatar, Diwasa, Nawai, Bhagoria, Gal, Gar, Dhobi, Sanja, Indel, Doha etc. with ceremonious zeal and enthusiasm.

During some festivals there are a number of tribal fairs held at different places of districts. Navratri mela, [[Bhagoria Festival|Bhagoria]] mela (during Holi festival) etc.<ref name=":0" /> Bhil community of [[Udaipur]] celebrate [[Gavari]] festival each year after Holi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mediaindia.eu/tv-video/gavari-a-tribal-dance-drama-by-the-bheel-community-of-udaipur/|title=GAVARI: A tribal dance drama by the Bhil community of Udaipur|website=mediaindia.eu|access-date=4 September 2019}}</ref>

===Communal dance and festivities===
[[File:Bhil Dance Rajasthan.jpg|thumb|A performance by Bhil dancers in Delhi]]
The chief means of their recreation is folk songs and dances. Women dance at birth celebrations, marriage functions t on a few festivals in traditional Bhili style accompanied by a drum beat. Their dances include the Lathi (staff) dance, Dhol dance, marriage dance, Holi dance, Battle dance, Bhagoria dance, Deepawal dance and hunting dance. Musical instruments include the [[Harmonium]], [[Sarangi]], Kundi, [[Bansuri]], Apang, Khajria, [[Tabla]], [[Cymbal|Jhanjh]], [[Madal|Mandal]] and Thali. They are usually made from local products.<ref name=":0" />

=== Local political structure ===
Traditional Bhil villages are led by a headman (''gameti''). The ''gameti'' has authority and decision-making powers over most local disputes or issues.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2004|isbn=0-7566-0520-2|editor-last=Winston|editor-first=Robert|location=New York|pages=439}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Bhuri Bai]], Artist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saffronart.com/artists/bhuri-bai|title=Bhuri Bai {{!}} Paintings by Bhuri Bai {{!}} Bhuri Bai Painting - Saffronart.com|website=Saffronart}}</ref>
*[[Lado Bai]], Artist<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bhilart.com/lado-bai/|title=Lado Bai|website=Bhil Art}}</ref>
*[[Tantia Bhīl]]<ref name="GuptāBeniwal2007">{{cite book|author1=Ramaṇikā Guptā|author2=Anup Beniwal|title=Tribal Contemporary Issues: Appraisal and Intervention|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-hFGgLdn6KsC&pg=PA18|date=1 January 2007|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-475-2|pages=18–}}</ref>
*[[Chhotubhai Vasava]], Politician<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ahmed-patel-saviour-chhotubhai-vasava-puts-congress-in-bind-2560314|title=Ahmed Patel saviour Chhotubhai Vasava puts Congress in bind|website=dnaindia}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Bhilala]]
* [[Mewar Bhil Corps]]
* [[India tribal belt]]

== References ==
'''Notes'''
{{Notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EjORKo7maRUC&pg=PA168 |title=The Structure of Indian Society: Then and Now |last=Shah |first=Arvind M. |author-link=Arvind Shah |year=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-13619-770-3}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bhil people}}
* [https://www.gkmirror.in/2020/08/history-of-bhil-tribe-in-india.html History of Bhil Tribe in India - भील जनजाति का इतिहास]
*{{citation | url = http://www.folkpaintingsindia.com/ | title = Gond & Bhil Tribal Art — Madhya Pradesh | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220138/http://www.folkpaintingsindia.com/ | archive-date = 22 June 2015 | df = dmy-all }}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20191216023016/https://www.nativeplanet.org/indigenous/cultures/india/bishnoi/bishnoi.shtml The desert dwellers of Rajasthan: Bishnoi and Bhil peoples (essay)]
*[http://www.rajasthan-tourism-guide.com/bhils-tribe-in-rajasthan.html Bhil Tribe In Rajasthan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011021415/http://www.rajasthan-tourism-guide.com/bhils-tribe-in-rajasthan.html |date=11 October 2012 }}
* [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127655 Genetic Affinity of the Bhil, Kol and Gond Mentioned in Epic Ramayana]

{{Bhil Clans}}
{{Scheduled tribes of India}}
{{Scheduled Tribes in Madhya Pradesh}}
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bhil]]
[[Category:Hindu ethnic groups]]
[[Category:Social groups of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Tripura]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]

Bhil people - Revision history

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>Marcocapelle: /* External links */more specific categorization