The question of what race Indians belong to is a complex one, as there are different ways to define race and different ethnic groups within India. However, based on the search results, here are some key points to consider:
- The US Census Bureau considers "Asian Indian" to be one of the distinct 15 races.
- The Census Bureau defines race as a persons self-identification with one or more social groups, which can include White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or Other Pacific Islander.
- Indian Americans self-identify as belonging to different races, depending on their genetic ancestry and resulting personal appearance. As India is home to more than 2,000 different ethnic groups that span all the races of mankind, Indian-Americans belong to most of the major racial groupings -- including Caucasian, and Mongoloid.
- The caste system in India has preserved genetic heritage across different ethnic groups, but it is not the same as race.
- Some scholars of the colonial epoch attempted to find a method to classify the various groups of India according to the predominant racial theories popular at that time in Europe. This scheme of racial classification was used by the British census of India, which was often integrated with caste system considerations. However, these classifications were based on outdated and scientifically inaccurate ideas about race.
In summary, Indians belong to various ethnic groups and can self-identify as belonging to different races. The US Census Bureau considers "Asian Indian" to be one of the distinct 15 races, but race is a complex and socially constructed concept that can vary across cultures and time periods.
