Question

Why is 1921 considered to be a special year in the demographic history of India?

Answer 1

1. First Census to Record Population Growth:
   • Before 1921, every decennial census from 1871 to 1911 recorded a decline in population growth due to famines, epidemics, and high death rates.
   • In 1921, for the first time, the census recorded a positive growth rate in population compared to the previous decade.
2. Demographic Turning Point:
   • It marked the beginning of a new demographic trend, with declining death rates and gradually increasing birth rates due to improvements in public health and reduced frequency of famines.
3. Historical Significance:
   • The population growth rate in 1921 was still low (only 0.3%) but significant enough to indicate a shift in demographic patterns.
   • It set the stage for the steady and sharp rise in population that followed in subsequent decades.