THE POPULATION OF INDIA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."' Sfn,—A correspondent of yours objects to my reckoning (in an article in the Fortnightly) that the average density of population in the British Indian Empire does not exceed 150 to the square mile, whereas he puts it at 185. Now, it is quite true that 185 is the rate entered in the official statistics. This I knew very well. Indeed, I gave that very rate in my contri- bution to " Chambers's EncyclopEedia " in 1890. But on this recent occasion I was thinking of several large areas, or provinces, not included in the census statistics, such as Beloochistan, Sikkim, Nepal, Muneepore, and the Shan States. These are great areas thinly peopled, and to my mind are integral parts of the Empire. Some of them have lands, notably Nepal, that can be rendered fertile and healthy by clearance of jungle, and are near to centres of population. The inclusion of all these would, I supposed, reduce the rate from 185 to about 150, though the exact figure cannot be stated.
On the other part of your correspondent's letter, I may remark that, as regards emigration, he takes a decade very unfavourable to any such exodus by reason of agricultural prosperity. Whether my rough estimate of future emigration prove correct or not, the amount will in any case be sma]]. As regards migration, whether some of those who thus depart shall return or not, still such migration to Assam, to Ceylon, to Burmah, must give pro tanto relief to over-population in India itself. To that extent I adhere to my opinion, though I do not desire to press the point too far.—I am, Sir, &c.,
RICHARD TEMPLE.
House of Commons Library, March 11th.
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