The Todas are one of the well known pastoral tribes of India and are mainly found in which hilly region?

Introduction / Context:
Tribal groups and their geographic distribution are an important component of Indian geography and anthropology. The Todas are a distinct pastoral community famous for their unique culture, dress and dairy based economy. This question asks in which hilly region of India they are mainly concentrated.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The tribe mentioned is the Todas. • They are described as a major tribal group found in a particular hill region. • Options list different hill and island areas of India. • Standard school level information on tribal groups is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
The Todas are traditionally associated with the Nilgiri Hills in southern India, largely in present day Tamil Nadu. They are known for their barrel vaulted houses, buffalo herding and distinctive social customs. The approach is to match the tribe name with the correct hill region based on this widely taught fact.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Nilgiri Hills form part of the Western Ghats in southern India where several tribal communities live. Step 2: Among these, the Toda tribe is particularly noted and repeatedly mentioned in textbooks as being concentrated in the Nilgiri region. Step 3: Check each option. Sikkim and Assam are in the north and north east, Andaman and Nicobar are islands, and Meghalaya is a plateau region with other tribes. Step 4: None of these other regions are standardly associated with the Todas. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is the Nilgiri Hills.

Verification / Alternative check:
Geography and sociology texts that list major tribes of India often highlight Todas as a Nilgiri based group. Descriptions of Nilgiri Hill culture frequently mention Toda dairy practices and their distinctive houses. No such descriptions place them primarily in Sikkim, Assam, Andaman islands or Meghalaya.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sikkim Himalayas: Home to Lepcha, Bhutia and other communities but not the main habitat of the Todas. Assam Hills: This term usually refers to hill tracts inhabited by other tribes such as Nagas, Mizos or Karbis, not Todos. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: These islands have tribes such as Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese, distinct from the Toda people. Meghalaya Plateau: Known for Khasi, Garo and Jaintia tribes, not Todas.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose any hilly region randomly without recalling specific tribe region pairings. Some learners mix up different south Indian hill tribes, but Toda is strongly linked to Nilgiris in exam material. Creating a mental map of tribes and their core regions such as Todas in Nilgiris, Bhils in central India and Nagas in north east can reduce such confusion.

Final Answer:
The Todas are mainly found in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India.