1 ( 17 )
2 Each succeeding enumeration seems to exceed its predecessor in num-
3 bers, and shows that it is difficult to make a full return of all the inha-
4 bitants, and that many persons escape enumeration ; while at the same
5 time population may be gradually increasing. The inference therefore
6 is, that the new returns are certainly not over-rated, that if there be any
7 error jt is on the side’ of deficiency and not of excess, and that probably
8 each successive Census will show an augmentation of numbers, _
9 16. In regard to one of the most prominent features of a Census,
10 namely, the relative density or otherwise of the population, it will be
11 seen, that in the Punjab the average rate stands at 15580 persons per
12 square mile. This may be a fair average, as compared with many Euro-
13 pean countries ; but it shows a sparse rather than,a dense population for
14 India. In the North-Western Provinces there are 420° persons per
15 square mile by last Census ; in Bengal, according to the best available
16 data, there appear to be 311 persons per square mile ; in the Madras Pre-
17 sidency 170; in the Bombay Presidency only 156 ; in the Saugor and Ner-
18 budda Territory 122. On the whole the Punjab is one-fourth less popu-
19 lous in proportion to its area than the United Kingdom, and about as
20 thickly peopled as either France, Prussia, Austria, and Italy on the Con-
21 tinent, or as the Madras and Bombay Presidencies in India. On the other
22 hand, it is not more than half as populous as the most densely-inhabited
23 parts of the world, such as Holland, Belgium, Northern Italy, China, the
24 Gangetic Provinces of India, and the like.
25 17. The rapid and great alternations of sparseness and density of
26 population in the Punjab Districts is perhaps remarkable. Two, Districts
27 may, be often observed in the same Division, and perhaps adjoining each
28 other, yet exhibiting extreme diversity in the average rate of population.
29 From this circumstance doubts might perhaps at first sight be entertained
30 as to the accuracy of the returns ; but it must be remembered that the
31 surface of the Punjab is notoriously varied. The Punjab Reports have
32 often explained, that generally the submontane portion only of the
33 Punjab (about one-third) is fertile, and that the remainder is a wild tract,
34 with exceptional strips of civilization. The Cis-Sutlej States are fertile
35 towards the North and near the Rivers Sutlej and Jumna, but degenerate
36 into sand towards the South. The Trans-Sutlej States are in their upper
37 half hilly, and even mountainous ; that portion below the Hills is a rich
38 plain. The next three Doabs, namely, the Baree, Rechna, and Chuch, are
39 fertile towards the North ; bit towards the centre and the South the land is
40 D