Bhumihar Phenotype

According to the research, titled "Skin Pigmentation Diversity in Central East Indian Populations and its Correlation with Mitochondrial Haplogroups", which measured the Melanin Index (MI) of populations in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Bhumihars were found to be the lightest-skinned caste in Bihar and Central-to-Eastern Uttar Pradesh. In other words, their MI (Melanin Index) is the lowest amongst all the castes studied in these regions.

The Melanin Index (MI) measures skin complexion and pigmentation, a lower MI corresponds to a lighter skin tone, while a higher MI indicates the presence of more melanin and, therefore, a darker skin tone.

To date, two research papers have been published on the phenotype or MI of castes found in the Gangetic Plains.

The table below, taken from the research, presents the average MI, sample size, and caste category for various groups from the Gangetic Plains. The sample size for most of the castes in this study is sufficiently large to draw a broad yet reasonable conclusion.

Source: Skin Pigmentation Diversity in Central East Indian Populations and its Correlation with Mitochondrial Haplogroups