Name the first anthropologist who used the term ‘‘Dravidian’’ to denote the South Indian people :

The correct answer is - Bishop Caldwell

Key Points

• Bishop Caldwell
  • He was the first to use the term "Dravidian" to categorize the South Indian people linguistically and ethnically.
  • Bishop Caldwell's work in the 19th century was pivotal in studying the Dravidian languages, which include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
  • His book, "A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages", published in 1856, laid the foundation for Dravidian studies.
  • He emphasized the distinction between Dravidian languages and Indo-Aryan languages, contributing significantly to linguistic anthropology.

Additional Information

• Dravidian Languages
  • The Dravidian language family is one of the oldest linguistic families in the world, with roots tracing back to prehistoric times.
  • It consists of over 70 languages spoken primarily in South India, parts of Central India, and in some regions outside India, such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
  • The major Dravidian languages include:
    • Tamil: One of the oldest surviving languages, with a rich literary tradition.
    • Telugu: Widely spoken in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
    • Kannada: Predominantly spoken in Karnataka.
    • Malayalam: The official language of Kerala.
• Bishop Caldwell's Contribution
  • He was an Anglican missionary and scholar who worked extensively in South India.
  • He played a key role in promoting the study of Dravidian cultures and languages, helping to preserve their identity.
  • His work has been instrumental in understanding the ethnic and linguistic diversity of India.