The 1891 census of India was conducted by the British and covered the lands now part of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma.[1] The Census Commissioner was Jervoise Athelstane Baines, who was later knighted for his work in India. Baines changed the classification from that which had been used in the 1881 census. His obituary in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society describes the changes as being “first the separation of caste from religion and, secondly, the substitution of the population subsisting by an occupation for thatexercising it.” He wrote the resultant 300-page General Report, which had “a literary flavour and wide scholarship” rather than a mere analysis of the data.
The ethnic distribution was as follows:
| Class | Group | Caste | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Classes | All Groups | All Castes | 286,912,000 |
| Military & Aristocratic | Total | 29,393,870 | |
| Rajput | 10,424,346 | ||
| Jat | 6,688,733 | ||
| Ahir | 8,155,219 | ||
| Gujjar | 2,171,627 | ||
| Maratha | 3,324,095 | ||
| Babhan | 1,222,674 | ||
| Nair | 980,860 | ||
| Kallar | 410,983 | ||
| Maravar | 313,881 | ||
| Velama | 479,783 | ||
| Khandayat | 671,272 | ||
| Awan | 616,328 | ||
| Kathi | 41,996 | ||
| Meo | 365,726 | ||
| Kodava | 32,641 | ||
| Others | 1,648,925 | ||
| Agricultural | Total | 56,335,357 | |
| Cultivators | Total | 47,927,361 | |
| Kunbi | 10,531,300 | ||
| Mali | 1,876,211 | ||
| Lodh | 1,674,098 | ||
| Kachhia | 1,384,222 | ||
| Koeri | 1,735,431 | ||
| Vellalar | 2,254,073 | ||
| Vokkaliga | 1,360,558 | ||
| Lingayat | 655,491 | ||
| Panchamsali | 482,763 | ||
| Kaibartta | 2,298,824 | ||
| Namasudra | 1,948,658 | ||
| Kochh | 2,364,365 | ||
| Koli | 3,058,166 | ||
| Reddy | 2,666,399 | ||
| Others | 13,636,802 | ||
| Field Labourers | Total | 8,407,996 | |
| Musahar | 622,034 | ||
| Bagdi | 804,960 | ||
| Bawari | 612,430 | ||
| Dubla | 172,052 | ||
| Palli | 2,242,499 | ||
| Pallar | 814,989 | ||
| Mala | 1,365,520 | ||
| Cheruma | 523,744 | ||
| Others | 1,249,768 | ||
| Pastoral | Total | 16,721,494 | |
| Cattle graziers | Total | 11,569,319 | |
| Gauli/ Goala | 2,237,323 | ||
| Others | 1,176,777 | ||
| Shepherds | Total | 5,152,175 | |
| Gaderia | 1,294,830 | ||
| Dhangar | 1,305,583 | ||
| Kuruba | 1,059,185 | ||
| Idiga | 665,232 | ||
| Rabari | 434,788 | ||
| Bharwad | 128,271 | ||
| Others | 264,286 | ||
| Forest Tribes | Total | 15,806,914 | |
| Group 1 | Total | 4,275,685 | |
| Santhal | 1,494,045 | ||
| Kol | 474,969 | ||
| Korwa | 158,700 | ||
| Ho | 150,262 | ||
| Munda | 110,621 | ||
| Bhuiya | 909,822 | ||
| Pan | 341,710 | ||
| Kharwar | 112,298 | ||
| Oraon | 523,258 | ||
| Group 2 | Total | 3,353,989 | |
| Baiga | 136,478 | ||
| Kur | 155,831 | ||
| Gond | 3,061,680 | ||
| Group 3 | Total | 2,686,096 | |
| Bhil | 1,665,474 | ||
| Bhilala | 175,329 | ||
| Kirar | 175,508 | ||
| Meena | 669,785 | ||
| Group 4 | Total | 518,747 | |
| Kathodi | 77,705 | ||
| Warli | 168,631 | ||
| Ghat-Thakur | 130,481 | ||
| Naikda | 74,479 | ||
| Dhanka | 67,451 | ||
| Group 5 | Total | 1,368,585 | |
| Kandh (Khond) | 627,388 | ||
| Savara | 438,317 | ||
| Halaba | 102,613 | ||
| Gadaba | 34,127 | ||
| Yanadi | 84,988 | ||
| Jatapu | 81,152 | ||
| Group 6 | Total | 60,443 | |
| Toda | 739 | ||
| Kota | 1,201 | ||
| Irula | 58,503 | ||
| Group 7 | Total | 762,023 | |
| Khasi | 172,150 | ||
| Kachari | 243,378 | ||
| Garo | 150,227 | ||
| Mech | 96,873 | ||
| Tippera | 99,395 | ||
| Group 8 | Total | 199,880 | |
| Mikir | 94,829 | ||
| Naga | 101,568 | ||
| Singpho | 3,483 | ||
| Group 9 | Total | 266,896 | |
| Kuki | 25,940 | ||
| Lushai | 43,840 | ||
| Kathe (Manipuri) | 84,540 | ||
| Khyun | 82,710 | ||
| Khyun Khwemu | 14,200 | ||
| Khyun Mro | 15,666 | ||
| Fishers | Total | 8,261,878 | |
| Kahar | 1,943,155 | ||
| Mala | 1,147,544 | ||
| Kewat | 989,352 | ||
| Boya | 606,190 | ||
| Jhinwar | 489,819 | ||
| Dhimar | 287,436 | ||
| Gaurhi | 317,111 | ||
| Machhi | 260,496 | ||
| Others | 2,220,775 | ||
| Artisans | Total | 28,882,551 | |
| Goldsmiths | Total | 1,661,088 | |
| Sonar | 1,178,795 | ||
| Aksale | 307,670 | ||
| Thattan | 56,044 | ||
| Others | 118,579 | ||
| Blacksmiths | Total | 2,625,103 | |
| Lohar | 1,869,273 | ||
| Kammar | 666,887 | ||
| Others | 88,943 | ||
| Carpenters and Masons | Total | 3,442,201 | |
| Suthar | 681,790 | ||
| Barhai | 932,718 | ||
| Tarkhan | 696,781 | ||
| Badagi | 452,339 | ||
| Asari | 100,409 | ||
| Khati | 301,476 | ||
| Gaundia | 76,995 | ||
| Raj | 19,770 | ||
| Others | 179,923 | ||
| Brass and Coppersmiths | Total | 301,519 | |
| Kasera | 161,596 | ||
| Thathera | 60,837 | ||
| Bogar | 37,002 | ||
| Others | 42,084 | ||
| Tailors | Total | 735,548 | |
| Darzi / Shimpi | 710,092 | ||
| Others | 25,456 | ||
| Weavers and Dyers | Total | 9,369,902 | |
| Julaha | 2,660,159 | ||
| Kori | 1,187,613 | ||
| Tanta | 483,912 | ||
| Jugi | 424,219 | ||
| Balai | 305,635 | ||
| Sali | 391,064 | ||
| Kaikola | 316,620 | ||
| Tatwa | 328,778 | ||
| Koshti | 225,019 | ||
| Ganda | 291,768 | ||
| Patnuli | 96,443 | ||
| Khatri | 116,880 | ||
| Rangrez | 187,698 | ||
| Others | 2,354,094 | ||
| Cotton Cleaners | Total | 859,288 | |
| Pinjara | 753,675 | ||
| Kadhera | 105,613 | ||
| Oil pressers | Total | 4,672,907 | |
| Teli / Ghanchi | 4,147,803 | ||
| Ghaniga | 142,374 | ||
| Vaniya | 186,297 | ||
| Kalu | 191,395 | ||
| Others | 5,038 | ||
| Potters | Total | 3,497,306 | |
| Kumbhar | 3,346,488 | ||
| Kusuvan | 138,097 | ||
| Others | 12,721 | ||
| Glass and Lac | Total | 155,003 | |
| Churihar | 55,616 | ||
| Lakhera | 32,139 | ||
| Others | 67,248 | ||
| Salt and Lime | Total | 1,531,130 | |
| Lonia | 796,080 | ||
| Uppar | 267,715 | ||
| Agri | 241,336 | ||
| Rehgar | 77,856 | ||
| Others | 148,143 | ||
| Goldsmiths’ Cleaners | Total | 6,363 | |
| Niaria | 5,808 | ||
| Jhalgar | 555 | ||
| Iron and Gold Washers | Total | 24,893 | |
| Jhora | 7,337 | ||
| Dhangari | 3,672 | ||
| Asuri | 3,552 | ||
| Deoli | 2,289 | ||
| Others | 8,043 | ||
| Domestic Service | Total | 14,019,626 | |
| Barbers | Total | 3,729,934 | |
| Nai | 2,532,067 | ||
| Hajjam | 605,721 | ||
| Ambattan | 186,187 | ||
| Mangala | 151,438 | ||
| Bhandari | 103,026 | ||
| Others | 151,495 | ||
| Washermen | Total | 2,824,451 | |
| Dhobi | 2,039,743 | ||
| Agase | 126,710 | ||
| Vannan | 258,508 | ||
| Sakala | 327,720 | ||
| Parit | 60,129 | ||
| Others | 11,641 | ||
| Service | Total | 430,065 | |
| Gola | 33,804 | ||
| Bhishti | 98,824 | ||
| Khas | 215,200 | ||
| Chakar | 25,706 | ||
| Others | 56,531 | ||
| Grain Parchers / Confectioners | Total | 1,407,169 | |
| Bhadbhunja | 343,308 | ||
| Kandoi | 524,155 | ||
| Halwai | 260,801 | ||
| Guria | 141,628 | ||
| Others | 137,277 | ||
| Betel Leaf Sellers | Total | 236,507 | |
| Tamboli | 222,048 | ||
| Others | 14,459 | ||
| Toddy Drawers | Total | 4,795,210 | |
| Kalal | 1,195,097 | ||
| Shaha / Sunri | 525,698 | ||
| Nadar | 690,434 | ||
| Bhandari | 170,014 | ||
| Idiga | 196,901 | ||
| Ezhava | 1,241,290 | ||
| Gamalla | 122,322 | ||
| Gaundla | 235,902 | ||
| Others | 417,552 | ||
| Butchers | Total | 605,890 | |
| Kasai | 302,612 | ||
| Khateek | 293,771 | ||
| Others | 9,507 | ||
| Untouchables | Total | 30,795,703 | |
| Leather Workers | Total | 14,003,100 | |
| Chamar | 11,258,105 | ||
| Mochi | 961,133 | ||
| Madiga | 927,339 | ||
| Sakilia | 445,366 | ||
| Bambhi | 220,596 | ||
| Others | 190,561 | ||
| Watchmen | Total | 12,808,300 | |
| Dusadh | 1,284,126 | ||
| Ghawal | 167,089 | ||
| Pasi | 1,378,314 | ||
| Arakh | 85,522 | ||
| Dhanuk | 883,278 | ||
| Mehra | 226,216 | ||
| Mahar | 2,960,568 | ||
| Dhed | 508,310 | ||
| Holar | 880,441 | ||
| Mang | 690,458 | ||
| Berad | 659,863 | ||
| Ramosi | 63,991 | ||
| Mutrasa | 296,743 | ||
| Paraiya (Pariah) | 2,210,988 | ||
| Others | 512,393 | ||
| Scavengers | Total | 3,984,303 | |
| Mehtar | 727,985 | ||
| Chuhra | 1,243,370 | ||
| Megh | 148,210 | ||
| Bhuinmali | 231,429 | ||
| Bhuinhari | 316,787 | ||
| Dom (Dumna) | 1,257,826 | ||
| Others | 58,696 | ||
| Traders | Total | 12,270,973 | |
| Vaishya | Total | 12,148,597 | |
| Mahajan and Bania | 3,186,660 | ||
| Agarwal | 354,177 | ||
| Khatri | 686,511 | ||
| Arora | 673,695 | ||
| Komti | 545,206 | ||
| Balija | 804,307 | ||
| Chetti | 702,141 | ||
| Mappila | 916,436 | ||
| Labbe | 364,293 | ||
| Lohana | 530,168 | ||
| Others | 3,385,003 | ||
| Pedlars | Total | 122,376 | |
| Manihar | 90,131 | ||
| Thoria | 9,097 | ||
| Others | 23,148 | ||
| Professional | Total | 21,652,422 | |
| Priests | Total | 15,467,752 | |
| Brahmin | 14,821,732 | ||
| Jangam | 396,598 | ||
| Ulama | 50,165 | ||
| Garodi | 41,412 | ||
| Others | 157,845 | ||
| Devotees and Ascetics | Total | 2,717,861 | |
| Gosain | 231,612 | ||
| Bairagi | 275,604 | ||
| Sadhu (unspecified) | 376,130 | ||
| Bawa | 66,115 | ||
| Vaishnav | 469,052 | ||
| Fakir | 830,131 | ||
| Others | 469,217 | ||
| Temple Service | Total | 320,530 | |
| Gurao | 110,529 | ||
| Satani | 88,354 | ||
| Sewak | 121,647 | ||
| Genealogists | Total | 590,412 | |
| Bhat | 481,119 | ||
| Charan | 99,090 | ||
| Others | 10,203 | ||
| Writers | Total | 2,555,867 | |
| Kayastha | 2,239,810 | ||
| Karan | 146,053 | ||
| Karnam | 54,177 | ||
| Kannakan | 41,013 | ||
| Prabhu | 29,559 | ||
| Vidhur | 33,437 | ||
| Others | 11,818 | ||
| Arts | Total | 4,153,275 | |
| Astrologers | Total | 299,776 | |
| Joshi | 85,306 | ||
| Vaidya | 87,193 | ||
| Dakaut | 16,062 | ||
| Kanisan | 27,198 | ||
| Others | 84,017 | ||
| Drummers and Ballad Singers | Total | 645,214 | |
| Mirasi | 316,422 | ||
| Dafali | 147,364 | ||
| Gondhali | 18,031 | ||
| Others | 163,397 | ||
| Singers and Dancers | Total | 145,778 | |
| Mimes | Total | 62,507 | |
| Bahurupia | 4,940 | ||
| Bhand | 9,783 | ||
| Bharia | 24,539 | ||
| Others | 23,245 | ||
| Carriers | Total | 973,626 | |
| Banjara | 561,644 | ||
| Labana | 327,748 | ||
| Pindari | 6,751 | ||
| Others | 77,483 | ||
| Vagrants | Total | 3,457,666 | |
| Grindstone Makers | Total | 18,996 | |
| Takankar | 9,508 | ||
| Khumra | 6,554 | ||
| Others | 2,934 | ||
| Earth and Stone Workers | Total | 1,124,357 | |
| Odh / Waddar | 793,516 | ||
| Beldar | 152,515 | ||
| Others | 178,326 | ||
| Knife Grinders | Total | 18,980 | |
| Shikligar | 16,781 | ||
| Others | 2,199 | ||
| Mat and Cane Workers | Total | 639,150 | |
| Korvi | 207,045 | ||
| Burud | 53,413 | ||
| Bansphor | 89,955 | ||
| Basor | 73,345 | ||
| Changar | 36,569 | ||
| Ghasia | 46,077 | ||
| Others | 132,746 | ||
| Hunters and Fowlers | Total | 948,870 | |
| Wagri | 179,070 | ||
| Baheliya | 39,203 | ||
| Mahtam | 56,984 | ||
| Moghia | 146,667 | ||
| Valaiya | 289,411 | ||
| Aheria | 36,320 | ||
| Others | 201,215 | ||
| Vagrants | Total | 400,969 | |
| Jogi | 214,546 | ||
| Sansia | 30,704 | ||
| Kanjar | 29,186 | ||
| Barwala | 63,856 | ||
| Others | 62,677 | ||
| Jugglers and Acrobats | Total | 306,344 | |
| Bedia | 65,194 | ||
| Nat | 139,068 | ||
| Others | 102,082 | ||
| Indefinite Indian | Total | 3,079,204 | |
| Foreign Musalmans | Total | 34,348,085 | |
| Shaikh | 27,644,993 | ||
| Pathan | 3,255,521 | ||
| Mughal | 333,114 | ||
| Sayyid | 1,430,329 | ||
| Baloch | 971,835 | ||
| Turk | 50,503 | ||
| Arab | 39,338 | ||
| Others | 622,452 | ||
| Himalayan Mongoloids | Total | 244,722 | |
| Ladakhi | 30,672 | ||
| Bhoti | 25,670 | ||
| Lepcha | 9,745 | ||
| Khamba | 33,490 | ||
| Tharu | 53,875 | ||
| Newar | 4,979 | ||
| Limbu | 15,079 | ||
| Gurung | 10,894 | ||
| Mangar | 19,383 | ||
| Sunuwar | 5,210 | ||
| Murmi | 21,889 | ||
| Others | 13,836 | ||
| Indian Christians | Total | 1,835,848 | |
| Native | 1,807,092 | ||
| Goan | 28,756 | ||
| Assamese and Burmese | Total | 7,297,618 | |
| Burmese | 5,408,984 | ||
| Karen | 540,876 | ||
| Shan | 182,745 | ||
| Chinese | 41,832 | ||
| Arakanese | 452,164 | ||
| Yau | 12,931 | ||
| Mon | 467,885 | ||
| Ahom | 153,518 | ||
| Cross-breeds | 19,821 | ||
| Western Asiatics | Total | 107,864 | |
| Jews | 16,951 | ||
| Armenians | 1,295 | ||
| Parsis | 89,618 | ||
| Eurasians | Total | 81,044 | |
| Europeans | Total | 166,428 | |
| Africans | Total | 18,775 |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Jump up^ Database: General report on the Census of India, 1891, Page 199
- Jump up^ R.H.R.; S. de J. (January 1926). “Obituary: Sir Athelstane Baines, C.S.I.”. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society (London: Royal Statistical Society) 89 (1): 182–184.(subscription required)