Ethnicity

The Andhras were originally believed to be Dravidians. However, some theories suggest that they were Aryans by origin, who moved to the south of the Vindhyas, and eventually mixed with the non-Aryans. The well-known tribes of the state are the Bagatas, the Banjaras (gypsies), the Chenchus, the Gadabas, the Gonds, the Mandulas, the Mathuris, the Sarvas and the Yenadis. These people are hunters, small farmers, food-gatherers and nomads. One can find people of different faiths such as Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians here. Telugu is the principal language, although Urdu is also spoken in and around Hyderabad.

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