Question

Adivasis are also called ________________.
a. Harijans
b. Girijans
c. Tribals
d. Dravidians

Answer 1

Hint: We just need to know that Adivasi is the collective name used for the indigenous people of India. The term ‘adi’ meaning the earliest times and the word ‘vasi’ meaning inhabitants or residents was coined in $1930$ to give identity to various indigenous people of India. They live throughout India and are categorized as minor communities.

Complete answer:
We have to know that the caste in India is categorized as General, Schedule Caste (SC), Schedule Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) on constitutional terms.
The Adivasis come under Schedule Tribes (ST). In the Adivasi community, there are different people speaking different languages. They aren’t homogeneous but are tribals who share their ancestry and culture.
The Harijans come under Schedule Caste (SC). They are also treated as ‘Untouchables’ or ‘Dalits’ meaning broken/scattered. People belonging to this community are kept lowest in the caste hierarchy.
Where Adivasis are collectively known as tribals, Girijans are a part of these Scheduled Tribes. Girija is one of the hundreds of Tribes present in India.
Dravidians are a group of people originating from South Asia mainly South India and Sri Lanka. In Sanskrit, the term ‘Dravida’ was used to denote the region of South India. They are categorized as a forward class and do not belong to the minority section of society.
Therefore, Adivasis are also called Tribals whereas Girijans are a part of the tribal community and Harijans belong to the Scheduled Caste, often kept at the lowest in the caste hierarchy. Though, Dravidians do not belong to these backward classes.
So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: We need to remember that four major categories prevail in India. The General category or Majority belongs to the Forward class and is kept at a higher position in the caste hierarchy. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes are classified as backward classes and belong to the minority. Adivasis belong to the Scheduled Tribes and are one of the oldest tribal communities. They reside on the belts of several Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc.