The people of Haryana belong to the Indo Aryan type and in parts to the Indo-Dravidian type. Harayan's population, are divided into a number of castes (jatis). The main classes of people in Haryana are the Brahmins, the Rajputs, the Jats, the Ahirs and the allied agricultural communities. From the ancient past to the present, religion provides the main basis of the structure of the Haryana society. In the early times people professed Hinduism. After some time Jainism and Buddhism came to have their hold on the people. In the medieval times came Islam, followed by Sikhism and Christianity.

Jats

The Hindu Jats occupy a prominent place in Haryana, being the single largest group in the region. Some of the Jats claim themselves to be of Rajput origin and maintained that their Rajput ancestors came from Malwa, Bikaner, Dharangar which lay to the east near the ancient Hastinapur. It was the Jats who formed the ethnic nucleus of the people now called the Punjabi's. 

The Jats are divided into twelve chief clans (gotras) and about 137 minor gotras. The main gotras are Maliks ( also called Gatwallas), Dahiya, Ahlawat, Rathi, Dalal, Sahrawat, Kadian, Jakhar, Golia and Deswal. The Muslim Jats, called Mullas are a separate group. The Jats form a predominant proportion in the districts of Hissar and Karnal and are also found in good strength in Ambala.

The Jats have great physical and moral energy , are admirable cultivators. Besides agriculture, they engage themselves in trade and production of local products in the rural area. Jats join in large numbers in the Services, particularly in the army and the police. They are finding representation in civil services also. 

Rajputs 

Rajputs a sub clan of Gurjars occupy a respectable position in Haryana. The various Rajput clans trace their ancestry to the ancient warriors (Kshatriya) who figure so prominently in legend and ancient lore. The oldest Rajput settlers in Haryana are two principal clans, the Mandhars and the Chauhans. The Mandhars claim to have descended from Lav, one of the two sons of Rama, the great hero of  Epic Ramayana. They are thus descendants of Surajabansis. The Chauhans claim descent from Rana Har Rai. Other Rajput clans are Badgujar, Parmara (Puars), Bachas, Tunwars, Gurs etc.

In earlier times the Rajputs have formed an important class of the feudals in Haryana. But now the new social legislation and in particular the land laws, have drastically cut down larger holdings of land which led to the disappearance of the feudal gentry. 

Brahmans

The Brahmans form an important section of the people in Haryana. Most of the Brahmins in Haryana are Gaur Brahmins. The name is probably derived from their residence at Ghaggar. The other common gotras among Brahmans are Sarsut, Bharadwaja, Vashista, Gaudama, Bacchhasas, Parsira, Sandlasa, Gujarati or Bias and the Dakaut. The Sarsut Brahmins, less numerous than the Gaur are not so strict in their caste habits. The Gujarati or Bias who came from Gujarat are regarded in some respects as the highest class of Brahmins.

Brahmins constitute the most orthodox community. Not only do they keep aloof from others, but also practice taboos among themselves. But now the situation is changing and the Brahmins even take up other profession than the priesthood.

Tyagis or Tagas are of Brahmin origin who gave up priestly profession and took to agriculture. Tyagis wear the sacred thread but the other Brahmins will not inter marry or eat with them.