Population details of India were collected through censuses, with the first official census taking place in 1881. The year 1921 is described as the ‘Year of the Great
Divide as population started growing rapidly and continuously. The population growth rate was 1.2% until 1951.
On the eve of independence, the demographic condition of India was as follows:
High Birth and Death Rates: Both the birth rate (number of births per thousand people) and death rate (number of deaths per thousand people) were very high at 48 and 40 respectively. This indicates the backwardness of the country.
High Infant Mortality Rate: Infant mortality rate refers to the number of deaths of children below the age of one year per thousand live births. It was around 18, reflecting a high rate of infant deaths.
Low Life Expectancy: Life expectancy, which indicates the average number of years a newborn is expected to live, was low at 32 years.
Mass Illiteracy: The 1941 census, the last one under British rule, estimated the literacy rate at 17%. This means that 83% of the population was illiterate, indicating high levels of mass illiteracy.
Low Standard of Living: People had to spend a significant portion of their income, around 80-90%, on basic necessities such as food, clothing, and housing. Despite this, many people did not have enough food, clothing, or proper housing. There were severe famines in some parts of India, resulting in millions of deaths. One of the worst famines was the Bengal famine of 1943, which claimed the lives of three million people.
Overall, on the eve of independence, India faced challenges such as high birth and death rates, high infant mortality, low life expectancy, mass illiteracy, and a low standard of living for a significant portion of the population.
Objective Type Questions
1.What is the significance of the year 1921 in India’s demographic history?
A) The year of India’s independence
B) The year of the first official census in India
C) The year when population growth started to decline
D) The year when population growth started to increase rapidly
Answer: D) The year when population growth started to increase rapidly
2.What was the birth rate in India on the eve of independence?
A) 10 births per thousand people
B) 18 births per thousand people
C) 40 births per thousand people
D) 48 births per thousand people
Answer: D) 48 births per thousand people
3.What does the infant mortality rate indicate?
A) The number of deaths of children below the age of five per thousand live births
B) The number of deaths of children below the age of one per thousand live births
C) The number of deaths of adults per thousand live births
D) The number of births per thousand people
Answer: B) The number of deaths of children below the age of one per thousand live births
4.What was the infant mortality rate on the eve of independence?
A) 8 B) 18 C) 32 D) 48
Answer: B) 18
5.What does a low life expectancy of 32 years indicate?
A) The average number of years a newborn is expected to live
B) The average number of years a person is expected to work
C) The average number of years a person is expected to study
D) The average number of years a person is expected to remain married
Answer: A) The average number of years a newborn is expected to live
6.What was the literacy rate in India according to the 1941 census?
A) 17% B) 32% C) 50% D) 83%
Answer: A) 17%
7.What percentage of the population was illiterate on the eve of independence?
A) 17% B) 32% C) 50% D) 83%
Answer: D) 83%
8.How much of their income did people have to spend on basic necessities like food, clothing, and housing on the eve of independence?
A) 10-20% B) 30-40% C) 50-60% D) 80-90%
Answer: D) 80-90%
9.What major famine occurred in India in 1943, resulting in millions of deaths?
A) Punjab famine B) Deccan famine C) Bengal famine D) Madras famine
Answer: C) Bengal famine
10.What term is used to describe the year 1921 in India’s demographic history?
A) The Year of the Great Divide
B) The Year of Independence
C) The Year of Mass Literacy
D) The Year of Low Birth Rates
Answer: A) The Year of the Great Divide