Genetic investigations among the Ahom of Assam.

The Ahom has been investigated for the distribution of ABO blood groups, phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity, earlobe attachment and age at menarche. The present sample of Ahom displays a good amount of homogeneity with most of the neighbouring mongoloid population. Only biological features that set apart Ahom from other mongoloid populations is earlobe attachment types. It is quite possible that the higher frequency of phenotype B among the Ahom may be due to the gene flow from the surrounding caste (Indid) populations as a result of admixture.