Discuss the first official census of India

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Question 14. When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?

India’s first official and systematic census was conducted in 1881.

Although some population counts were attempted earlier, the Census of 1881 is regarded as the first complete, regular, and reliable census operation carried out across British India. Since then, the census has been conducted every ten years.

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EXTRA DRILLING

Discuss the first official census of India

The first official census of India was conducted in 1881 during British rule. While some population counts had been carried out earlier, the Census of 1881 is considered the first systematic, complete, and all-India census.

The main objective of the census was administrative convenience. The British government wanted accurate data on population size, distribution, and composition to improve tax collection, governance, and law-and-order management. It was not aimed at social welfare or development planning.

This census covered most parts of British India and followed a uniform methodology, which made the data more reliable than earlier attempts. It collected information on population size, sex, age, occupation, religion, and caste, though the classification methods were often crude and rigid.

The Census of 1881 revealed important demographic features:

India had a very large but slowly growing population
Birth and death rates were extremely high
The population was overwhelmingly rural and dependent on agriculture
Literacy levels were extremely low

The Census Commissioner for this operation was W.C. Plowden, who helped standardise census procedures.

Significance

The first official census laid the foundation of India’s decennial census tradition, which continues even today. It became an important source for understanding India’s demographic structure during the colonial period, though its purpose remained colonial rather than developmental.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Census of 1881 was a landmark in Indian demographic history as it introduced a regular, scientific population count, despite being driven mainly by the administrative needs of the colonial government.

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Class 11th Economics Indian Economy Chapter-1 Question-14

Go Back To Class 11th Economics Page

Discuss the first official census of India

The first official census of India was conducted in 1881 during British rule. While some population counts had been carried out earlier, the Census of 1881 is considered the first systematic, complete, and all-India census.

The main objective of the census was administrative convenience. The British government wanted accurate data on population size, distribution, and composition to improve tax collection, governance, and law-and-order management. It was not aimed at social welfare or development planning.

This census covered most parts of British India and followed a uniform methodology, which made the data more reliable than earlier attempts. It collected information on population size, sex, age, occupation, religion, and caste, though the classification methods were often crude and rigid.

The Census of 1881 revealed important demographic features:

India had a very large but slowly growing population

Birth and death rates were extremely high

The population was overwhelmingly rural and dependent on agriculture

Literacy levels were extremely low

The Census Commissioner for this operation was W.C. Plowden, who helped standardise census procedures.

Significance

The first official census laid the foundation of India’s decennial census tradition, which continues even today. It became an important source for understanding India’s demographic structure during the colonial period, though its purpose remained colonial rather than developmental.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Census of 1881 was a landmark in Indian demographic history as it introduced a regular, scientific population count, despite being driven mainly by the administrative needs of the colonial government.