Genetic Markers among Meiteis and Brahmins of Manipur, India

Genetic polymorphism of 16 red-cell antigens, enzymes, serum proteins and Hb variants was investigated in 214 male and female individuals belonging to the Meiteis and a Brahmin caste group living in Imphal (Manipur, Northeast India). Ethnohistorical records suggest that the Meiteis are of Mongoloid origin, while the original Brahmin settlers represent the easternmost part of the so-called Caucasoids. The markers studied are: A₁A₂BO, MNSs, Rh-system, Duffy, Diego; Gm, Km, Gc, Hp, Tf, Cp; Hb; aP, AK, EsD and LDH. The comparison between the two groups on the basis of the markers studied showed that the Meiteis and Brahmins are very close to each other with respect to most of the loci except Gm, EsD and Hb, where significant statistical differences were found.