Finger Dermatoglyphics of the Khatiks and Kumbhars of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

The present study was conducted among two lesser known Scheduled castes-the Khatiks and Kumbhars of District Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh. 200 unrelated individuals were included i.e. 50 males and 50 females from each caste. The qualitative and quantitative finger dermatoglyphic traits analysed. The study exhibits the prevalence of whorls among the Khatik males while Khatik females and Kumbhar males and females show prevalence of Loops. The gradational order of occurrence of finger pattern types among Khatik males is W > L > A and L > W> A among Khatik males and Kumbhar males and females. The values of Pattern Intensity Index, Furuhata's Index and Dankmeijer's Index are higher among males than females in both populations. The mean digital ridge counts are higher among males as compared to females in both the castes. The khatiks are observed to have similarities with tribes like Bhoksa, Raj Gonds, Oraons and Bhils and castes like Srivastava and Rastogi. Kumbhars are seen to have closeness with castes like Brahmin, Kshatriya, Mathur, Saxena and tribes like Raj Gonds, Santhal, Jaunsari Rajputs and Bhils.