Recording of Religion in Pre-Independence Census

The Census data on religion was presented under the category of Social and Cultural Tables Series from 1872. In the pre-independence period presentation of religion related data was more elaborate.

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DOI: 10.4324/9781003516415-13

up between town and city divide in addition to Province and State. It is important to men­tion that in the Census of 1881, two tables showing (i) number of persons with unsound mind by religion arranged by Provinces, and (ii) state were also presented. In the 1941 Census, however, no religion table was presented owing probably to war like conditions prevailing then which restricted the tabulation of Census data.

10.1.1 Census 1872-1891

Table A.10.1 shows the population by tribal religion in 1872, 1881, and 1891 Censuses. Though the circular for census operation was made in 1856 it was in the year 1871-1872 that the first effort was made to the taking of a general Census for the whole of India. Unfortunately, the enumeration was not carried out in all of the provinces on the con­sideration of expenses and possibility of disturbance it might cause in certain provinces (MoC 1871-72:5). In 1872 the population of tribal religion was clubbed under the ‘Others’ category which included chiefly the aboriginal or hill tribes. If we see the Table A.10.1 of 1872 census column, we can find that a maximum 40 per cent of population returned who professed tribal religion. Similarly, in Bengal Province 32.8 per cent were found following tribal religion. The majority of population reporting tribal religion belonged to Central and Bengal Provinces. A total of five million persons under the category of ‘Others’ came from the Central provinces, Bengal, Assam, and Berar.

In the 1881 Census the tribal religions were clubbed under the ‘aboriginal’ category. Here, if a person belonged to some aboriginal or Non-Hindu tribe, enumerators entered the name of his tribe, as Garo, Khasi, etc. In the 1881 Census, most of the population by tribal religion was returned from Bengal Provinces (32per cent) followed by Central Provinces (27.3per cent). The religions which have been considered eligible for separate entry, whether on account of the number of their followers in Bengal or of their importance in other provinces are 14 in number; viz., Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Brahmos, Jains, Jews, Parsis, Santals, Kols, Other Western Aborigines, Eastern Aborigines, and lastly all others. In the Census of 1872, the population by religion was divided into five categories only viz., Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and all others.

Nevertheless, there were ambiguities. With regard to some of the above faiths identified in 1872, there was no doubt that they stood distinctly apart. The followers of a religion were well distinguished. They were also well acknowledged people and an appreciable con­stituent of population in the country. The Sikhs, the Mahomedans (Muslims), the Jews, and the Parsis, even during the time of first enumeration had an individuality which was impossible to mistake. The Christians professed a faith which separated them from all other religious followers even within a community. The Buddhists and the Jains also differed from each other and from the other religious groups around them in terms of beliefs, rituals, and manners, though they have been said to possess much in common. But the problem was with the tribes who displayed much in common with neighbouring Hindu practices. Nevertheless, efforts were made for an objective assessment of differences and enumeration.

In the 1891 Census, the term ‘Animistic’ was adopted comprehensively for the reli­gions of ‘Forest Tribes’ who did not accept the Hindu system, and were not converted to Christianity or Islam (CoI 1891: 87).

Animism...is the belief in the existence of souls or spirits, of which only the pow- erful-those on which man feels himself dependent, and before which he stands in awe-acquire the rank of divine beings, and become objects of worship. These spirits are conceived as moving freely through earth and air, and, either their own accord, or because conjured by some spell, and thus under compulsion, appearing to men (Spiritism). But they may also take up their abode, either temporarily or permanently, in some object, whether living or lifeless it matters not, and this object as endowed with higher power, is then worshipped or employed to protect individual or commu­nities (Fetishism).

(Tiele:9)

Thus, in the census, tribal religion was distinguished on the basis of animism, though there was confusion about its relation with Hindu castes. However, Hindus were not con­fused to declare them as Hindus. According to the Census 1891, the highest 24.7 per cent from Bengal Province, 20.6 per cent from Central India State, 17.2 per cent from Central Provinces and 10.4 per cent from Assam Provinces are returned who were following tribal religion under the ‘Animistic’ category. The details of population by Tribal Religion as per the 1871-1872, 1818, and 1891 Census are given at Table A.10.1.

10.1.2 Census 1901-1911

Table A.10.2 shows the population by tribal religion in two censuses, 1901 and 1911. In the 1901 Census, there was a doubt about the notion of tribal religion. Though it is rec­ognised as ‘the oldest of the religions recorded in the Census’ its nomenclature in general and specific to a tribe was a problematic. It was coined as animism despite ‘heterogeneous and uncomfortable superstitions’.

According to the 1901 Census, the total number of animists in India, including name of the tribe in the column of religion slightly exceeded 8,000,000. Out of them nearly 26.1 per cent was recorded in Bengal; 17.1 per cent in the Central Provinces; 12.4 per cent in Assam; 11.6 per cent in the Central India Agency and 7.5 per cent in Madras. In these British ter­ritories tribal religion, as it was recorded in the name of animism, had a large concentration.

In the 1911 Census, ‘Animism’ was also used to cover the miscellany of ‘superstitions’ which prevailed among the primitive tribes in all parts of the world. These tribes were very vague in their religious conceptions. However, they were unanimous in their belief in the presence on earth of a shadowy crowd of powerful and malevolent beings. These beings lived in a hill, near a stream or patch or primeval forest, and were interested in the affairs of men. Illness and misfortunes of all kinds were attributed to their malevolence. This understanding which was prevalent then was the basis of identifying animists, like previous censuses, in the 1991 census.

According to the 1911 Census, the term animist was applied to forest tribes, Mundas, Santals, Bhils, etc. There is no name for these beliefs in any Indian vernacular, and in prac­tice it is very difficult to draw the line between animism and Hinduism as already discussed. All persons who said they were Hindus, Muslims, or Christians, etc., were recorded as such. Those who did not declare belonging to any recognised religion were entered under the name of their caste or tribe. In the course of tabulation all such persons were treated as Hindus if they belonged to a recognised Hindu caste. Those who belonged to forest tribes outside the caste system, e.g. Bhils, Khonds, Garos, Todas, etc., were classed as animists. The population by Tribal Religion as per 1901 and 1911 Censuses are given at Table A.10.2.

10.1.3 Census 1921-1941

Table A.10.3 shows the population by tribal religion in the 1921, 1931, and 1941 Censuses. In 1921, the enumerators were given standing instructions that they should enter in the Census Schedule the name of the tribes who were not converted to Hindus, Muslims, Christians, etc. These entries were classified and tabulated under the heading ‘Tribal Religion’ in the Census Table. In 1931, the Census terms were Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Jew, Muslim, Christian, Tribal, and Others. In case of the tribe, the name of tribe was recorded as the name of their religion. Similarly, in the 1941 Census, the same procedure was followed for enumeration of tribal religion. Tribal name was recorded. The figures of Tribal Religions show a decrease of 15.28 per cent since the 1921 Census; these figures being primarily due to the losses by conversion to Hinduism or Christianity. Similarly, the figures of Tribal Religions show a big hike of 207 per cent since the 1931 Census. The result has been unknown due to World War II.

In the 1921 to 1931 Censuses the general arrangement was the same table VI in the Indian Census Table of 1911 except that the heading ‘Animist’ changed to ‘Tribal Religions’. Again in 1941 Census the heading ‘Tribal Religion’ changed to ‘Tribes’ only. The popula­tion by Tribal Religion from 1921 to 1941 Censuses is given in Table A.10.3.

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