Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA).

a Pb Pc Pd No Significant, PTR (Tribes), HTF (Hill Tribe Foragers), BRH (Brahmins), HTK (Hill Tribe Kannada speakers), SC (Schedule Castes), DLF (Dry Land Farmers), AW (Artisan & Warriors).HG, MID, LOW – High, Middle and Low caste-rank hierarchy as described in Table 1.Endogamous populations were grouped based on geography, tribe-caste dichotomy, caste-rank hierarchy, and socio-cultural features mainly reflecting subsistence (7 Major Population Groups, MPG). The maximal genetic variation among groups (FCT) and the minimal variation among populations within groups (FSC) was observed when populations were grouped based on the 7 MPG classification.