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UPSC Prelims 2009 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
In which one of the following places is the Shompen tribe found?
- (a) Nilgiri Hills
- (b) Nicobar Islands
- (c) Spiti Valley
- (d) Lakshadweep Islands
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Nicobar Islands
The Shompen are hunter-gatherers of the interior forests of Great Nicobar — back in the news because of the Great Nicobar project.
The idea
An island community must be matched to its particular island group. The Andamans and Nicobars share one administration but have different communities and histories. A high tribal share in another island territory does not identify the community asked about.
Why the others are wrong
(a) The Nilgiris are home to the Toda, Kota, Irula and Kurumba.
(c) Spiti’s people are Buddhist Bhot communities.
(d) Lakshadweep is about 95% Scheduled Tribe, but its islanders are of Malabar descent — not Shompen.
The trap
Lakshadweep has the highest share of Scheduled Tribes in India, so it looks right for “a tribe on islands”.
Also know
Nicobarese are another community of the Nicobar group. Onge live on Little Andaman, Sentinelese on North Sentinel, and Jarawa in parts of South and Middle Andaman. The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman and Nicobar groups; Indira Point is at the southern end of Great Nicobar.
🔒 Shompen = Great Nicobar · Onge = Little Andaman · Jarawa = South/Middle Andaman · Sentinelese = North Sentinel.
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