1 ( 103 )
2 .
3 population of about 3 millions. This circumstance strongly corroborateg,
4 Present paucity of What is commonly believed, namely, that the
5 Sikhs, | Sikh tribe is losing its numbers rapidly. Modern
6 Sikhism was little more than a political association (formed exclusively _
7 from among Hindoos), which men would join or quit according to the
8 circumstances of the day. A person is not born a Sikh, as he might be
9 born a Mahomedan or born a Hindoo ; but he must be specially initiated
10 into Sikhism. Now that the Sikh commonwealth is broken up, people
11 cease to be initiated into Sikhism and revert to Hindooism. Such is
12 the undoubted explanation of a statistical fact, which might otherwise
13 ‘appear to be hardly credible.
14 190. More than half the population were returned as agricultural, The
15 Agricultural and non- tendency in every Indian Census is to include,
16 agricultural classes, among miscellaneous professions, many persons
17 who really derive their subsistence from the land. It is probable then
18 that two-thirds, if not three-fourths of the people are agricultural:
19 again, somewhat more than half the population are returned as males.
20 This slight disproportion of females, found to exist more or less every
21 where in India, is believed to be not otherwise than correct.
22 191. A special detailed Report on the Census has already been’
23 submitted to the Supreme Government. It is hoped that the results
24 are approximately correct, that at least a foundation has been laid for
25 sound statistical knowledge, and that a good starting point has been
26 " obtained for future operations.
27 EMIGRATION.
28 192. The second heading in this Section is that of Emigration, which
29 Emigration from the Will, it is believed, apply to the séveral Presi-
30 Punjab is rare, dencies rather than ¢o this part of India. There
31 is nothing approaching to Emigration here. The Punjabees are not
32 disposed to migrate from their country, even as far as neighbouring
33 Hindoostan. There is no redundancy of population ; already more
34 food is produced than can be consumed in the country. But ‘there is
35 some want of varied employment, which induces so many persons to
36 take up agriculture, which again is one cause of the over-production,