Census of India 1921 Volume II- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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IN this Report I propose to deal very briefly with the results of the Census of the Andamans and Nicobars for 1921. For various reasons, on which 1 need not dilate, it is impossible for me to devote to the work the time necessary to produce u report on even the restricted lines of that of 1911. At the same time the threads of the work have been so much in my own hands, and the subjects dealt with are of such a nature, that it would be difficult for my successor, or in fact, anyone now in the Settlement, to deal adequately with the subject.

The figures, or those for the Settlement at any rate, are of no scientific interest. The Settlement is a purely artificial institution, and tables, and statistics relating principally to convicts are of little or no value. The story of the industrial development of India is not affected by our returns ; all available matter of ethnological interest has already been given in previous reports : and so it seemed to me questionable whether in the circumstances any report to accompany the Tables was necessary. The Census Commissioner, when the matter was referred to him on the occasion of his visiting the Settlement, was of opinion that something to carry on and bring up to date the information given in the last Census Report, particularly in regard to the indigenous populations, their distribution, movement &c., was desirable ; and he suggested that I should leave some notes on these subjects for publication with the Tables. This I propose to do on the strength of the provisional totals, as 1 will have left India before the tabulation of the figures is complete. The numbers dealt with are so small that any difference that there may be between the provisional and final totals will not be sufficiently great to affect the conclusions arrived at.

I propose to limit the Report to two chapters. The first dealing with the Census will form with the diaries &c. in the Appendices something in the nature of an Administrative Volume. The second will deal with the distribution and movement of the various communities dealt with.

I regret that I have not more information of ethnological interest to include in this Report. The Reports of 1901 and 1911 contain practically all that is avail. able of a general nature. Any notes which I consider to be of sufficient interest for publication will be found in the form of appendices.

I am including an account of an interesting ceremony witnessed by the Rev. W.R. Park, C.I.E. at Lapati village on Car Nicobar in March 1915, which account I obtained from him at the time. My acknowledgments are due to him on publication of the same.

I am also indebted to the Rev. G. Whitehead, at one time in charge of the S. P. G. Mission on Car Nicobar, and to Mr. E. Hart, Government Agent on the Island for certain folk-lore stories, and notes on the religious observances of the Nicobarese.

Owing to my absence on tour during the month preceding the taking of the Census I was compelled to leave entirely in the hands of Mr. Bunyad Hussain, B. A., Revenue Assistant Commissioner, and District Census Officer all arrangements for the taking of the Census in the Settlement. In doing this I was confident that the work would be well done, and the results prove, I think, that my confidence was not misplaced.