Classification of Eickstedt (1934):
Fuherer von Eickstedt had made the German Indian Anthropological Expedition to India during 1926-29. He classified the Indian people in 1934, both from physical and cultural perspectives. Basically he was inspired by the variation in skin colour of the Indian people and suggested four main ethnic elements as constituents of the population in India.
I. Weddid or Ancient Indians:
These are the primitive people living in the forest. Two sub-types are distinguished here.
(a) Gondid:
These people show dark brown complexion and curly hair. They are totemistic in belief and use mattock. Matriarchal influence is noticed among them. The Oraons, Gonds, Bhils etc. are the best examples of this sub-type.
(b) Malid:
These people are characterized by curly hair with black-brown colour. Their culture is ancient but now they have been influenced by alien culture. People like Kurumbas, Veddas, etc. represent this sub-type.
II. Melanid or Black Indians:
Racially it is a mixed group, which is divided into two sub-groups.
(a) South Melanid:
This sub-group is characterized by black-brown skin colour. People live in the Southern most plains of India and possess strong matriarchal influence. The typical example of this group is the Yanaadi.
(b) Kolid:
This sub-group includes the primitive people characterized by black-brown skin colour who live in the North Deccan forests. They hold strong totemistic beliefs and prominent matriarchal influence. The best examples are the Santals and the Mundas.
III. Indid or New Indians:
These people are racially more advanced and occupy the open regions of India. They are fiirther sub-divided into two sub-groups.
(a) Gracile Indid:
This sub-group is characterized by brown skin colour with gracile appearance. The people show strong patriarchal influence as found among the Bengalis.
(b) North Indid:
This sub-group possesses light brown skin colour. People are patriarchal in nature. The best examples of this type are the Todas and the Rajputs.
IV. Palae-Mongoloid:
These people show certain incipient Mongoloid characters. The best examples are the Palayan of Wynad.
Eickstedt’s classification is regarded as a proper attempt to classify Indian population. Although it was open to severe criticism, but it had a great scope. So, later it was extended with necessary changes and additions. Efforts of B. S. Guha made it more convincing.