Mal Paharia people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 182,560 (2011 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | |
| Jharkhand | 135,797 |
| West Bengal | 44,538 |
| Bihar | 2,225 |
| Assam | 6,389 (1951 est.) |
| Languages | |
| First language Malto • Mal Paharia Second language Bengali • Hindi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism • Christianity • Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Malto • Kurukh • Kisan | |
The Mal Paharia people are a people of India, mainly living in the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal. They are the original inhabitants of the Rajmahal Hills, known today as the Santal Parganas division of Jharkhand. They are listed as a Scheduled Tribe by the governments of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. They speak the Malto language, a Dravidian language, as well as a poorly-documented Indo-Aryan Mal Paharia language.