Madhya Pradesh, a state carved out from the Madhya Bharat province came into existence on November 1, 1956 and was the largest state in the country, till it was bifurcated into MP and Chhattisgarh. According to the last census figures the state comprises of multi-ethnic population in its cities and ethnic tribal population in the remote areas.
According to estimates Madhya Pradesh with a population of over six crores has about 22 per cent Scheduled Tribes and an equally strong 14 per cent strong Scheduled Caste population. Muslims constitute about 5 per cent of the total population while Brahmins are 5 per cent of the total population.
Besides, there are Ahirs and Rajputs who are a sizeable population with five per cent of the total population each. Telis, Kurmis and Lodhs also constitute about three per cent each of Madhya Pradesh's population.