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Question 10. Which is regarded as the defining year to mark the demographic transition from its first to the second decisive stage?
Answer:
The year 1921 is regarded as the defining year marking the demographic transition from the first stage (high birth and death rates) to the second stage (declining death rate but high birth rate) in India.
The Census of 1921 is therefore known as the “Year of Great Divide” in India’s demographic history.
EXTRA DRILLING
What do you mean by the “Year of Great Divide”?
The “Year of Great Divide” refers to the year 1921 in Indian demographic history.
In simple words, it was the year that clearly separated two phases of population growth in India.
Why is 1921 called the Year of Great Divide?
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Before 1921
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India had very high birth rates and very high death rates.
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Population growth was slow and often stagnant.
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Frequent famines, epidemics, and poor health facilities caused high death rates.
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After 1921
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Death rates started declining steadily due to improvements in:
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Medical care
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Sanitation
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Control of epidemics
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Birth rates, however, remained high.
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This led to rapid growth of population.
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Because 1921 marked this clear turning point, it became known as the “Year of Great Divide.”