Gond

The Gonds were a group of near-Humans who lived on an unnamed planet. Until they revolted, they lived in a state of what the Second Doctor called "perpetual enslavement" to the Krotons.

History
Very little is known of the Gond society prior to the involvement of the Krotons. However, for some (apparently) considerable number of generations, the Gond were raised with one major goal: selection as a "high mind" by the Krotons. All Gond youth had to submit to a series of academic tests, and, if found to possess a sufficient level of intelligence, were allowed to serve the Krotons directly. This involved entering a special area of the Gond settlement completely controlled by the Krotons.

The general Gond populace was kept ignorant of the purposes of this selection until the arrival of the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe. They revealed that the "high minds" were actually being killed. Closer examination revealed this "special area" to be a Kroton spaceship, which was powered by thought. The "high mind" Gond were killed because their mental energy was completely drawn off as fuel.

Once the Doctor revealed the Krotons' actual purpose, the Gond rose up against their Kroton overlords and killed them. Thereafter, Gond society was allowed to develop without constant alien presence. (DW: The Krotons)

Culture and Society
Gond appears to be not only the species name, but the surname of all members of the species. Hence Vana is, fully, "Vana Gond".
 * Some doubt is thrown on to this by the later naming of The Doctor and Zoe as "Doctor Gond" and "Zoe Gond". It could just be that "Gond" was an appendage attached by the Krotons, rather than a genuine surname recognized by other Gonds.

Gonds appear to dress in a uniform way. Their garments are predominantly light-colored, with straps about the waist, sleeves and calves. Generally, these straps are a dark color. However, Beta's white straps suggest there may be a heirarchy attached to the straps. (DW: The Krotons)
 * As Beta was a scientist, it's possible that white indicates a scientific specialization. Alternately, as he was older, it might be that the straps indicate some sort of higher rank.

Behind the scenes

 * The name "Gond" may have been taken from the real-life cultural group, who live chiefly on the Indian sub-continent.