Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 2 (2nd edition).pdf/356

 BHAGALPUR.

346 entered upon a

new phase

did not at once cease

renewed attempt



of

its

history.

The

but the prompt

disturbance was met

at

ravages of the hillmen

measures with which

each

succeeded in

eventually

producing the desired impression, and before the end of last century the country was finally freed from the inroads of the marauders. The prosperity of the District has gradually increased during the present century.

Cultivation

has spread

being rapidly extended person are safe.





trade

is

flourishing

the people are prosperous





education

is

and property and

There have been many changes of jurisdiction in the District, and it little by little lost the character of a South Gangetic tract, which it possessed when it came into our hands; in 1864, 700 square miles of country on the north of the river were added to it. A further transfer was made in 1874, when Kharakpur pargand was separated from Bhagalpur and attached to Monghyr District. The various jurisdictions has

are

now

all

conterminous.

Population.

of 1872

—The population of Bhagalpur was returned by the Census

(allowing for transfers since that date) at 1,824,738.

The

Census of 1881 disclosed a population of 1,966,158, being an increase of 141,420, or 775 per cent, in the nine years. Area of District, 4268 square miles number of towns and villages, 6177; number of houses, 331,787, of which 321,469 were occupied, and 10,318 unoccupied; average density of population, 46o‘67 per square mile towns or villages



per square mile, i'45; houses per square mile,

7774;

inhabitants per

Divided according to sex, males number 979,119, and females 987,039 proportion of males to total population, 49'8 per cent. Classified according to religion, Hindus number

occupied house,

6’i2.



1,764,304,

or

8974

per

cent.;

Muhammadans,

185,533,

or

9^44

Christians, 578; Jews, ii; and ‘others’ (hill tribes proThis does not, aboriginal beliefs), 15,732, or '8o per cent.

per cent.; fessing

however, include profess

all

The Census Report 3

The

i»

the aboriginal population,

some form of Hinduism, and are ranked

534 ;

many

of

whom now

as low-caste Hindus.

Hinduism Bhumijs, and 8977. 17,904;

returns the aboriginal tribes professing

the principal being Bhuiyas,

aboriginal tribes

still

outside

Hindu

influences, are the Santals,

—

The high-caste Hindus include Brahmans, 13,384; and Kols, 2322. 71,420; Rajputs, 60,491; Babhans, an inferior caste of Brahmans, 42,351; Ka5’asths, 21,810; and Baniyas, 35,173. The lower castes

—

Gwala, 343,830, the most numerous caste in the Dhanuk, 101,665; Koeri, 82,302; Kiirmi, 38,363; Madak, 22,312; Kandu, 34,724; Kumhar, 36,319; Tatwa, 42,609; Tanti,

of Hindus include District;

22,066; Napit, 33,927; Kahar, 28,902; Dhobi, 23,144; Tell, 66,946; Kalwar, 26,303; Kent, 35,516; Chamar, 76,407; Dosadh, 70,863; Dom, 17,124; Ghatwal, 11,989; Lohar, 15,284; Mallah, 18,915;