Chapter - 3
PEOPLE
Growth of Population
The
first rough estimate of the population of the district
in 1847 gave a total of 4,79,599 people with a density of 313 persons per sq.mile.At the
enumeration of 1850,the population was found to be 5,66,085 which rose to 6,34,087 in 853, a rise of l12 per cent over the figures of
the enumeration made in 1850.The density of population in 1853 was 414 per sq. mile which
varied from pargana to pargana rising to 593 in Mainpuri and sinking to309 in Sauj, 76 per
cent of population relied wholly on
agriculture for their livelihood.
At the census of 1965 the district was found to contain 7,00,220 people with an
average density of 420 to the sq.mile.The census of 1872,gave the next census was undertaken in 1881 when the population of the
district was 8,01,216 with a density of 472 to the sq.mile,the low rate of growth is
attributed to the famine of 1877.
At the census of 1891, population of the distinct fell to 7,62,163;the decrease as
ascribed to agricultural calamities which swept the district during the decennial growth
of population and its variation in the
district, during the period 1901-1971 is tabled below:
| Year | Persons | Decade variation | Percentage
decade |
Males | Females |
| 1901 | 8,29,358
|
- |
- |
4,51,357 |
3,78,001 |
| 1911 | 7,97,627 |
-31,731 |
-3.83 |
4,38,921 |
3,58,706 |
| 1921 | 7,48,029 |
-49,598 |
-6.22 |
4,11,982 |
3,36,047 |
| 1931 | 7,49,636 | +1,607 |
+0.21 |
4,12,601 |
3,37,035 |
| 1941 | 8,72,603 |
+1,22,796 |
+16.40 |
4,74,184 |
3,98,419 |
| 1951 | 9,93,893 | +1,21,290 |
+13.90 |
5,33,332 |
4,60,561 |
| 1961 | 11,80,894 |
+1,87,001 |
+18.82 |
6,34,951 |
5,45,943 |
| 1971 | 14,45,534 |
+2,64,640 |
+22.41 |
7,88,435 |
6,57,099 |
Thus,
during the first two decades of the present century ,the population had declined, largely
due to epidemics,for instance influenza which raged in 1918-19 carried away many lives,and
partially due to migration of the people.
Since 1931 there has been a regular increase in the population.The lowest rise of 0.21 was
registered in the decade1921-31 and the
highest22.41 per cent in the decade 1961-71
,when the State average was 19.79 per cent. Jasrana being about24.45 per cent ,followed by
about 24.24 percent Shikohabad, 22.45 per cent in
Karhal,21.95 in Mainpuri and20.20 per cent in Bhongaon.The density of the population in
the district in1961, was703 persons per sq.
On July 1,1971, the area of the district, according to the central statistical organization, was 4,254 sq. km.The population of the district at the census of 1971 was 14,45,534(7,88,435 males, 6,57,009 females).The [district occupied the 42nd land 36th positions respectively in respect of area and and population among the district of Uttar Pradesh in 1971.The density of population in the district was 340 persons per sq. km. which was [higher than the State average of 300 persons per sq. km. Among the tahsils the most densely populated was Shikohabad with 409 persons per sq.km. followed by Bhongaon with 334,Mainpuri with 318, Jasrana with 301, and Karhal with 299 persons per sq.km. In the rural and urban areas of the district,the density of population per sq.km. was 313 and 5,967 persons respectively. The highest [[rural density of population were per sq.km.,359 in Shikohabad and 22,018 in Bhongaon tahsils respectively.The number of females per 1,000 males in 1921, was 816; in1941, 840;in1951 ,864; in 1960,860; and in 1971,833. It would thus appear that the sex-ratio was lowest (816) during the decade 1911-1921 and highest (860) during the decade 1951-1961. In 1971 ,the distinct [had a much lower sex-ratio (833)than Uttar Pradesh (879) taken as a whole .The rural and urban sex-ratios in 1971 were 833 and 835 respectively.
Population by Tahsils -
At
the census of 1971,the district comprised the five
tahsils of Mainpuri , Bhongaon,Shikohabad ,Karhal ,and Jasrana with the municipal towns
o[f Mainpuri,Shikohabad and Sirsaganj and the
town and the town areas of Bhongaon,Bewar,
Kuraoli and Karhal. In 1971 out of 1,429
villages in the district 1,386 were inhabited . The tahsil-wise distribution of the
population and the number of villages and towns according
to the census of 1971 are given below:
| Tahsil | Village Uninhabited Inhabited |
Town |
Population Persons Males Females |
|||
Bhongaon Tahsil (Rural) |
22 | 392 | - | 3,78,669 | 2,07,407 | 1,71,262 |
| Bhongaon.A | - | - | 1 | 9,992 | 5,447 | 4,545 |
| Bewar T.A. | - | - | 1 | 7,182 | 3,900 | 3,282 |
| Mainpuri Tahsil (Rural) | 8 | 247 | - | 2,66,396 | 1,44,660 | 1,21,736 |
| Mainpuri
M.B. |
- | - | 1 | 43,849 | 23,738 | 20,111 |
| Kuraoli
T.A. |
- | - | 1 | 9,497 | 5,150 | 4,347 |
| Shikohabad Tahsil(Rural) | 6 | 285 | - | 2,71,314 | 1,48,296 | 1,23,018 |
| Shikohabad M.B | - | - | 1 | 31,442 | 17,457 | 13,985 |
| Sirsaganj
M.B. |
- | - | 1 | 10,572 | 5,695 | 4,877 |
| Karhal Tahsil (Rural) | 1 | 192 | - | 1,59,701 | 87,823 | 71,878 |
| Karhal T.A | - | - | 1 | 9,488 | 5,096 | 4,392 |
| Jasrana Tahsil | 6 | 270 | - | 2,47,432 | 1,37,766 | 1,13,666 |
| Total | 43 | 1,386 | 7 | 14,45,534 | 7,88435 | 6,57,099 |
The population and area of the district at the censuses of 1961 and 1971 are given in Statement I at the end of the chapter .
Immigration
and Emigration
According to the Handbook of census, 1961, about .3 per cent of the people were born in the district,13.9 per cent in other districts of the State,0.5 per cent in other parts of the country and 0.1 per cent in other countries.Among those from other countries 1,610 were from Pakistan,106 from Nepal, 14 from Burma and 9 from various other countries .Most of the [[immigrants from Pakistan came as displaced persons.Of the immigrants from adjacent States 2,610 persons were from Madhya Pradesh, 1,299 persons from Punjab ,781 persons from Rajasthan ,305 persons from Delhi and 93 persons from Bihar. The duration of residence of 60.2 per cent of the total immigrants was over ten years. About 89 per cent immigrants were returned rural rural areas and 11.1 per cent from the urban.
A number of persons must have gone out from the district to other parts of the State of the country or abroad for purposes of education, employment ,trade of commerce or on account of marriage, but their number is not available .
Displaced
persons
Mot of the displaced persons arrived
from Pakistan In 1951, their number in the district
was 2,939 By 961, however , it came
down to 1,610 Nearly all of whom have been
satisfactorily rehabilitated and settled down.
Distribution
of population –
The distribution of rural population
in 1971, among villages of different size was as
under:
| Range of Population | No. of Villages | Persons | Male | Females | Percentage of rural population of the district |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Less than200 | 123 | 14,990 | 8,139 | 6,851 | 1.13 |
| 200-499 | 385 | 1,34,986 | 73,720 | 61,266 | 10.20 |
| 500-999 | 442 | 3,17,161 | 1,73,075 | 1,44,086 | 23.96 |
| 1,000-1,999 | 304 | 4,20,918 | 2,29,797 | 1,91,121 | 21.80 |
| 2,000-4,999 | 121 | 3,57,597 | 1,95,101 | 1,62,496 | 27.02 |
| 5,000-9,999 | 10 | 67,437 | 36,560 | 30,877 | 5.10 |
| 10,000-and above | 1 | 10,423 | 5,560 | 4,863 | 00.79 |
| Total | 1,386 | 13,23,512 | 7,21,952 | 6,01,560 | 100.00 |
LANGUAGE
In
1971,The languages spoken by the inhabitants
of the district were about two dozens. But
Hindi-speaking people ere the most numbers !.e.97.65 per cent. Urdu was spoken by 2.25 per cent and the remaining 1
per cent were found speaking Punjabi , Sindhi, Bengali and several other languages.
The common dialect of the people in
Mainpuri is Braj Bhasha which is the
oldest form of Hindi. In the extreme
south-west on the banks of the Yamuna, the influence
of Bhadauri, a form of Bundeli, is
noticeable in the words spoken by the
residents.
The Main peculiarities in pronunciation differentiating
the local speech from ordinary Hindi are the habit of substituting a final "O"
for all other vowel terminations;the alteration of initial "W" and "Y"
to 'J', as in juh, jih fer wuh and the use of
a short "I" for "a" as jhigra
for jhagra.
Principal Communities -
Hindus-
Of
the people about 95 per cent Hindus. The Hindu society in the district, as elsewhere,
continues to adhere to the traditional four-fld caste
system,the principal castes being the Brahmana
the Kshatriya,usually called Rajput in the district, the Vaish and the Shudra, each of which has a number of sub-castes.There are some other groups which
have acquired the status of independent castes, such as the Kayasthas, etc., who are again subdivided into sub-castes. With the spread of education and impact of new ideas, the caste
system is gradually losing its rigidity.
In this district, as elsewhere in the State, the Shudras comprised the lowest strata of society. They are still backward
.For rapid development a large number of their groups and sub-groups have been classified
as Scheduled Castes whose distribution numerically among
the tahsils in the district in 1971 is given below :
| Tahsil | Persons | Male | Female |
| Bhongaon | 73,535 | 40,834 | 32,701 |
| Shikohabad | 56,445 | 31,115 | 25,330 |
| Mainpuri | 54,635 | 30,389 | 24,246 |
| Jasrana | 39,307 | 20,958 | 18,349 |
| Karhal | 32,392 | 17,891 | 14,501 |
| Total | 2,56,314 | 1,41,187 | 1,15,127 |
Muslims-1971,there were 69,849 Muslims of whom 37,571
were men and 32,278 women . They constituted about 10.27 per cent of the total population
of the district .The majority of the Muslims belong to the Sunni sect. Their
Janis-In 1971, there were 5,593 Janis in the district out of whom 2,760 were women .They are most
numerous in Mustafabad ,Mainpuri and Shikohabad.
Christians -There were 1,409 Christians in 1971, 626
males and 783 females .Generally they are Roman Catholics and Protestants .
Sikhs-The Sikhs numbered 765 including 342 women in
1971.They are mostly immigrants from
Pakistan.
Buddhists-In 1971, the number of Buddhists in the
district was 447; 264 males and 183 females.
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Of Hindus-Hinduism comprises diverse beliefs and practice
ranging from polytheism to absolute monism
and the identification of the atman
(individual soul )with the divine essence. All these Variations of religious thought and
belief can be found here. A majority of the Hindus worship images of deities and
incarnations (avatars).A visit to temples is not obligatory but it is common and frequent.
Fasts are observed on many occasions and Kathas(recitations from Srimat Bhagwat, Ramacharitmanas) and satsang (religious
discourses),are arranged periodically Superstitions and belief in ghosts and spirits continue to haunt the minds, particularly of the
illiterate and ignorant members of the society.
The number of
places of worship is quite large, the notable
once include the temple of Mahadeo at Bhongaon, the temples
of Mahadev,Radha Ballabh,Muril Manohar, Manohar, Baldevji, Rama, Panchmathi Mahadev and
the shrine of Jasan Mahadeo at Shikohabad;and
the shrine of Rikhi Asthan at Akbarpur Auncha, in tahsil Mainpuri.
A branch of the Arya Samaj,a hindu sect founded by Dayananda Saraswati, was was
established in Mainpuri about 1890. In 1891, the number of Arya Samajists in the district was 329.
The sect made considerable progress so that at the census of 1951, the number of Arya
Samajists increased to 7,621.They believe in one God and repudiate idol worship and
rituals.
Of Muslims-Any one believing in the one God and His prophet Muhammad,is a follower of Islam. A
Muslim is enjoined to say prayers (namaz) either individually of collectively in a mosque
five times a day, keep roza(fast) in the month of Ramadan, undertake hajj to Mecca and
contribute in cash of kind for charitable purposes (Zakat).The Quran is their
holy book . Many Muslims have faith in pirs (saints).There are many mosques in the
district,the more important being at the Bhongaon,Karhal,Rapri,and Shikohabad.There
are two dargahs located at Rapri and Shikohabad.
Of Janis-The Jains follow the creed of the Jains
Tirthankaras and install their images in temples. They uphold ahinsa as the highest
dharma.The orthodox Jains do not eat tubers or
take meals after nightfall or drink water
without straining it.
Of Christians-The Christians believe in God ,His son,
Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the resurrection of the
dead and the life everlasting .The Bible is their holy book which contains two main
sections;the Old Testament and the new Testament.
Of Sikhs-Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, which
disavows idolatry and has Lon caste distinctions.
It enjoins the preservation of kesh (hair)
and use of kanghi (comb),kara (iron bangle),a kirpan (dagger) and kuchcha(shorts). The
Sikhs attend congregational prayers in gurdwaras(places of Sikh worship).The Granth
containing the Vani(sermons)of Guru Nanak Dev is their holy book .
Of Buddhists-The main tenet of Buddhism is that while
there is woe i[n the world, the eight fold middle path of righteousness based on Satya Visshawas, (right belief), Satya Vichar
(right aspiration), Satya Bhashan (right speech), Satya Karma (right action) Satya Nirval (right living), Satya
Prayatna(right effort), Satya Bhas (right rapture), Satya Dhyan (right recollection) and
Satya Bhas (right rapture )lead to the end of sorrow and the attainment of nirvana .
Religion wise
| Religion | Persons | Male | Female |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Hinduism |
13,67,470 | 7,46,717 | 6,20,753 |
Islam |
69,849 | 37,571 | 32,278 |
| Jainism | 5,593 | 2,833 | 2,760 |
| Christaianity | 1,409 | 626 | 783 |
| Sikhism | 765 | 423 | 342 |
| Buddhism | 447 | 264 | 183 |
| Other religion and Persuations | 1 | 1 | 0 |
There is harmony in the relations between the various castes and their sub-castes
found in the district .Long residence together and daily conntact with one another have
brought different communities close to each
other but all of them retain their own socio-religious identities.They mix freely and
share each others joys an sorrows.
Inter-caste Relation-As in other parts of the country
,intercaste relations were very rigid a
generation ago .The members of different castes and[ sub-castes lived in close watertight
compartments, eschewing among other [things inter-dining and inter -caste marriages.The
picture has greatly changed,especially after political independence and the changes that
have occurred in recent times are noteworthy
.Inter-dining is no longer looked upon with disapproval by
Hindus anywhere in the district, particularly in towns, though restriction still
persists in a diluted form in rural areas. Inter-caste marriages,though not very common,
are more frequent
than ever before and many of the traditional restrictions on marriage based on caste are gradually disappearing as a
result of factors like the spread of education and the influence of western culture.
Festivals
and Fairs
Hindu-Fasting followed by feasting is an important
reassure of festivity among the Hindus.Festivals are spread evenly over the whole year and
are celebrated almost in the same manner as elsewhere in the State.Some of them are
described below.
The ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra is celebrated as the birthday of Rama ,believed
to be an incarnation of Vishnu.
The fifth day of the bright half of Savanna is called Nagpanchami when the nagas or serpent gods are propitiated. It is also
celebrated as a rainy season festival,women being the chief rejoice, singing Kajaris(folk-songs),swinging
in the
air from trees.
The last day of Savanna popularly known as Raksha Bandan, is an occasion
when raksha sutras or rakhi (protective threads or cords) are tied by sisters round the
right wrist of their brothers .Fairs are also held at several places.
The eight day of the dark of Bhadrapada,is celebrated as the birth anniversary of
Lord Krishna , considered to be another incarnation of Vishnu.It is generally accompanied
with a fast which is broken at midnight.
The first nine days of the bright half
of Asvina are devoted to the worship of
goddess Durga, and the tenth one is celebrated as Vijaya Dasami or Dasahra to commemorate
the victory of Rama over Ravana.On this occasion effigies of demons are burnt publicly to
signify the victory of good over the evil.
On the Amavasya of Kartika, Dipavali, Divali or the festival of lights is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Dwellings are cleaned or whitewashed .Lakshmi ,the goddess of wealth is
worshipped and earthen lamps lighted in large number . The occasion synchronizes with
the advent of a bathing festival which falls on the full-moon day of Kartika, and attracts crowds on the banks of
rivers, particularly the Ganga.
Sivaratri,the most important festival of
the Saivites, is observed on the the thirteenth day of the dark half of Phalguna as a fast
accompanied with milk and Bilvapatra offerings to lord Siva . For Arya Samajists it is a
memorable occasion as Swami Dayanand , the great
reformist and founder of Arya Samaj, received enlightenment
on this night .
Holi is spring festival which falls on the last day of Phalguna enthusing the
masses into a spirit of revellry and
brotherhood . Logs of wood are piled at road junctions in every town and village and set
on fire at an auspicious moment symbolising
the annihilation of the forces of evil (in the form of the demon goddess,Holika). It is,
again, a crop festival,a significant feature of which is roasting of ears of barley and wheat in the community fire.
Sprinkling of coloured water and
throwing of coloured powder on one another
accompanied with mutual embracing among men characterise this merry occasion. Rural
areas in particular resound to the tunes of folk-music which some times attains ecstatic
heights.
The number of Hindu religious fairs in
the district is quite large .on most festive occasions fairs are held. The fair of Deviji
is observed from the eighth day of the dark half of Chaitra to the eighth day of the
bright half of Chaitra at village Uddetpur (in tahsil Mainpuri )and attracts about 20,000
persons . The biggest bathing fair is held on Kartiki Purnima at village Bidhuna in the
Ghiror development block attracting about 18,000 people .Kans-ka-mela is held at Mainpuri proper on the second day of the dark half of
Chaitra, being attended by about 10,000 persons.On occasion of Dasahra ,Ramlila fairs are
held at Kuraoli and Mainpuri each attracting gatherings of about 10,000 persons. other .
Other fairs, which also deserve mention are
Narain-ka-mela in Mainpuri town,Chaman
Rishi-ka-mela at Akbarpur Aunchha and Bairoo-ka -mela at Bhanti.
Muslim-Among the Muslim festivals , Barawafat, the
birthday of prophet Muhammad, is celebrated on the twelfth day of Rabiul-Awwal when alms
are distributed and discourses (Maulud Sharif) are arranged on the prophet's
Shab-e-Barat is celebrated on the
night of the fourteenth day of Shaban when
prayers(fatiha ) are offered for the peace of departed souls.
Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first of the month of Shawal when thanks giving prayers are offered for the
successful completion of the fasts of the previous month of Ramadan. On this occasion
Muslims attend congregational prayers in mosques.
Id-ul-Zuha (or Bakra-Id) falls on the tenth day of Zilhijja to commemorate the
attempted sacrifice of this son, Ismail, by the prophet Ibrahim in submission to the will
of God. Men attend morning prayers in mosques or Idgah and sacrifice sheep and goats in God's name.
Giarahaveen Sharif is a festival of special importance for the Sunnis of the
district and is observed on the eleventh day of the month of Rabi-us-Sani in honour of
Abdul Quadir Jilani, and early Muslim divine of Baghdad, as a descendant of the prophet
Muhammad . Prayers,sweets and flowers are offered in his memory on this occasion .
Muharaam is an occasion for mourning rather than festivity as the first ten days of the month of that name commemorate the tragedy of Karbala which witnessed the martyrdom of Imam Husain,The grandson of the prophet, Muhammad, and his companions. Although this occasion has special significance for the Shias,the Sunnis also take part in some of the observances.The imambaras(buildings for performance of religious ceremonies,etc; in memory of Imams Husain and Hasan and their followers)are illuminated on the eighties and ninth of the month, religious discourses are held from the first to the ninth and tazias(replicas of the tombs of Imams Husain and Hasan),generally made of coloured paper and bamboo, are taken out in procession separately by Shias and Sunnis on Ashar, the tenth day.
Jains-The Jains in the
district celebrate the birth and nirvana anniversaries of Parshvanth and Mahavira,
their twenty-third and twenty-fourth
Tirthankaras. The other important festivals of the Jains are Paryushan, the last ten days
of Bhadra, and Asthanika falling on the last eight days of Kartika.
Christian-The festivals
of the Christians of the distinct are Christmas, which falls on December 25 and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ; Good Friday, which
commemorates his crucifixion; and Easter which celebrates
his resurrection. People attend service in churches and exchange greetings and
presents.On Christmas eve scenes from the nativity of Christ, are enacted and cribs
are set up in the churches and people ,
particularly children,flock to see them.
Sikh-The Sikhs celebrate the birthdays of their gurus,
Nanak Tegh Bahadur and Govind Singh.Portions from the Granth are read , congregational
prayers are held at gurdwaras and processions taken out.The Baisakhi is another Sikh
festival.Fairs are held at gurdwaras on these occasions.
Buddhist-The principal festival of the Buddhists is the
Buddha-Purnima when Buddha took birth , got
enlightenment and attained nirvana. On this occasion they worship in their temples and
recite verses from the Tripitaka.
A list of fairs held in the district is given at the end of the chapter as
Statement 2nd.
SOCIAL LIFE
Property
and Inheritance-
In matters of inheritance the Hindus, Sikhs and Jains are governed by the Hindu
Succession Act, 1956, the Muslims by their personal law , and the Christians by the Indian
Succession Act , 1925. Before the enforcement on July
1,1952
of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 (Act no. I of 1951), the right to inherit rented agricultural land was
governed by the provisions of U.P. Tenancy Act, 1939 .At present inheritance to
agriculture land held by persons of all religions is governed by the provisions of the
U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act,
1950.
Joint Family-In this district, as in other parts of the State, the institution of joint
family, which has been a characteristic feature of Hindu society since ancient times, is breaking down owing to economic
and social factors, the impact of modern ideas and the Individualistic outlook of the
younger generation.The rapid growth of
industrialization and urbanization,the increasing demand for labour and the expectation of better wages in the cities
have also accelerated the disintegration of the Joint family.
Division of property other than agriculture
land during the life-time of the patriarch is becoming
common.
MARRIAGE AND MORALS
The following statement shows the distribution of the population of
the
district according to marital status in
various age groups in 1971:
| Age group | Total population | Unmarried Male Female | Married Male Female | Widowed Male Female | Divorced Male Female | Unspecified status Male Female | |||||
| 0-9 | 4,39,723 | 2,41,663 | 1,98,060 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 10-14 | 1,79,820 | 1,02,655 | 62,306 | 2,933 | 11,816 | - | - | - | - | 110 | - |
| 15-19 | 1,17,700 | 34,214 | 9,275 | 31,208 | 42,560 | 80 | 127 | 16 | - | 100 | 60 |
| 20-24 | 1,06323 | 12,470 | 670 | 40,759 | 51,453 | 502 | 330 | - | - | 50 | 50 |
| 25-29 | 1,05,500 | 3,085 | 140 | 48,972 | 51,683 | 830 | 590 | - | - | 70 | 130 |
| 30-34 | 98,597 | 1,572 | 275 | 45,806 | 47,933 | 1,686 | 1,185 | 10 | - | 50 | 80 |
| 35-39 | 88,090 | 1,870 | 470 | 41,011 | 40,377 | 2,426 | 1,875 | - | 5 | 10 | 40 |
| 40-44 | 75,557 | 1,241 | 205 | 37,012 | 29,572 | 3,353 | 4,124 | 5 | 5 | 40 | - |
| 45-49 | 56,350 | 1,041 | 85 | 26,125 | 21,360 | 3,444 | 3,689 | 5 | - | 10 | - |
| 50-54 | 54,548 | 1,091 | 80 | 26,183 | 13,955 | 5,337 | 7,923 | - | - | 15 | - |
| 55-59 | 33,675 | 1,395 | 20 | 12,992 | 10,954 | 3,657 | 4,812 | 5 | - | - | - |
| 60-64 | 36,294 | 1,116 | 50 | 14,530 | 6,602 | 5,623 | 8,353 | - | - | 20 | - |
| 56-69 | 20,465 | 1,025 | 10 | 6,277 | 6,101 | 2,835 | 4,207 | - | - | 10 | - |
| 70 and more | 32,825 | 946 | 5 | 10,259 | 2,721 | 8,130 | 10,744 | - | - | 20 | - |
| Age not stated | 22 | 56 | - | 8 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 14,45,534 | 4,05,921 | 2,71,651 | 3,44,065 | 3,37,089 | 37,903 | 47,959 | 41 | 10 | 505 | 39 |
Of Hindus-Among the
Hindus of the
district , elsewhere in the State,
Marriage is a sacrament, its rites being prescribed in the scripture and to some extent by
custom and tradition . A few variations in the performance of the different
rites from caste to caste, or, even
from family to family, within a caste may occur.
According to the Hindu Marriage Act of
1955, the marital age is 18 years for the bridegroom
and 15 years for the bride but in the
event of the latter not having completed the
age of 18 years ,the consent of the guardian bas to be obtained. Under
this Act,polygamy among the Hindus is illegal.
In this context the term Hindus includes Jains and
Sikhs, The customary restrictions , generally observed
by that people of the district , such as
those on marriage between persons of the
same gotra (eponymous groups descended from a common ancestor
in the male line of descent) have been abolished with the passing of
the Act
and now inter- caste and inter - sub
-caste marriage and marriage among parties of the
same gotra are not rare . Both law
and custom prohibit sapinda(
Literally having the same pinda or funeral cake; an agnate within seven
generations) marriage among the Hindus. The restrictions regarding endogamic marriage not as rigid as in the past. Generally marriages are arranged
by the parents, the bride 's people approaching the
bridegroom 's party, sometime through
intermediaries. A number of ceremonies, differing from caste to caste, and place to place,precede the
nuptials . Kanyadan (giving away of the bride
) an bhanwar or saptapadi (seven steps taken
round the sacred fire) are essentials of
every Hindu marriage .
Of Muslims-Islam permits polygamy to the extent of
keeping four wives at a time. The Islamic marriage
is a contact and every Muslim of sound
mind who has attained puberty may enter in to
such a contract but a marriage is void
if it has been brought about without the consent of either party. The amount of dower (mahr ) may be fixed before,
at the time of or after the marriage . The essentials of a Muslim marriage are that there should be proposal by or
on behalf of one of the parties and an
acceptance by or on behalf of the other in
the presence and bearing of two men
or a man and two women witnesses who must be sane
and adult Muslims (but according to the Shia
law the presence of witnesses is not necessary
in any
matter regarding marriage). The proposal and
acceptance both must be expressed at
one meeting. The custom that prevails in
the district is that after the
settlement of the marriage, the
sagai or mangni (asking for the bride
) takes place. The marriage ceremony (
nikah)is performed by the qazi in the presence of witnesses Among the
Shias one maulavi from each side participates
in performing the marriage instead
of the qazi.
Of Christians- According to the Indian Christian
Marriage Act, 1872, as amended by the
Act of 1952, the minimum marital ages for the
boy and the girl 18 and 15 years
respectively. The marriage customs of
adherence of different denominations in
the district usually follow the same general pattern. The marriage maybe contracted by the parties
concerned or
may be arranged by their relatives. The
period of engagement, which precedes the
marriage, may be long or short.
The banns
are published 3 times (once every week) by priest of the
church where the marriage is to be solemnised,
to invite
objections, if any. On a fixed date,the marriage ceremony is performed
in the church by the pastor.The essential parts of it are the giving away of the bride
by the father ( or other relative or friend),
the repeating aloud, after the priest , of
the marriage vows by the bride and bridegroom
, the placing of ring by the
bridegroom on the third finger
of the bride's left hand (
sometimes the bride and the bridegroom
exchange rings), the pronouncement of the couple as husband
and wife by the priest and the singing of the marriage register
by the couple , and their witnesses.
Dowry--With
the passing of the Dowry prohibition
Act, 1961,offer and acceptance of dowry has become
illegal, but as and age-old practice
the evil persists in almost all sections of
society.
Civil Marriage -The Special Marriage Act, 1954, provides
for marriage to be performed and registered by a marriage officer appointed by the Government .In this system,the
parties give to the marriage officer a
month's ' notice, before the proposed date
of marriage , of their intention to marry.
The notice of marriage of exhibited on the
notice board of the marriage officer or the deputy commissioner for objections, if any. After the expiry
of the period
for presenting
objections , if no valid objection is
held, the marriage is performed and registered.
The parties sign the register and receive marriage
from the marriage officer.
Widow Marriage -- The Hindu Marriage
Act, 1956, provides for the remarriage of a widow. Even
before that , widow marriages were performed amongst followers of the Arya Samaj, according to Vedic rites. However, the
number
of such marriage is very small, particularly among the higher
classes.
Divorce -Among the Hindus, the
dissolution of a marriage ,once performed,
was not permissible. Among Scheduled Castes,
and that ` too with the sanction of the community panchayat,
divorce was,however , possible. The Hindu Marriage
Act, 1955, made divorce legal under certain conditions
and circumstances. The Muslim Law
permits the
husband to divorce the wife on
payment of mahr.The dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act,1939, gives under certain conditions , The right to the wife to claim dissolution
of her marriage .The Indian Divorce Act , 1869, is applicable to all civil marriage and
generally to the Christians. Nevertheless, among the
higher classes instances of divorce
are rare. Details of divorce cases decided in
the district during the past five
-years are given below :
| Year | Number of cases filed
|
Number of cases in which divorced was allowed | ||
| 1969 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1970 | 4 | 2 | 2 | - |
| 1971 | - | - | - | - |
| 1972 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 1973 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 27 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
Economic Dependence of Women- In recent times women
have successfully tried to free themselves from
economic dependence on men. In all fields of
activity they now play an increasingly significant
role . A good number of women
are employed as teachers , nurses, clerks and typists. There
are also doctors and politicians among the
women of
the district . Theses are signs of the growing economic independence of women. Among the poorer classes, women work in large numbers
as daily labours , agricultural and
industrial, and cases of the economic
dependence of
men on such women are not rare.
Gambling -Gambling is not
unknown in the district but is only
indulged in occasionally as a sort harmless
pastime. The number of prosecutions launched
in the district for the years from 1970 to
1974 was 29,26,28,31 and 18 respectively.
Home Life-The following statement
shows the classification of households
by their size and tenure status in the
district :
| Total District Rural/Urban | Tenure Status | Total of census house holds | house holds having number of persons One Two Three Four Five Six and person person person person person more person |
Number of persons unspecified | |||||
| District Total | Owned and Rented | 2,44,460 | 12,970 | 17,690 | 24,440 | 33,970 | 37,105 | 1,18,255 | 30 |
| Owned | 2,33,510 | 11,245 | 16,240 | 23,105 | 32,350 | 35,620 | 1,14,920 | 30 | |
| Rented | 10,950 | 1,725 | 1,450 | 1,335 | 1,620 | 1,485 | 3,335 | - | |
| Rural Total | Owned and Rented | 2,23,250 | 11,285 | 15,700 | 22,380 | 31,335 | 34,240 | 1,08,280 | 30 |
| Owned | 2,19,895 | 10,515 | 15,270 | 21,925 | 30,885 | 33,810 | 1,07,460 | 30 | |
| Rented | 3,335 | 770 | 430 | 455 | 450 | 430 | 820 | - | |
| Urban Total | Owned and Rented | 21,210 | 1,685 | 1,990 | 2,060 | 2,635 | 2,805 | 9,975 | - |
| Owned | 13,615 | 740 | 970 | 1,180 | 1,465 | 1,810 | 7,460 | - | |
| Rented | 7,595 | 955 | 1,020 | 880 | 1,170 | 1,056 | 2,515 | - | |
Types of Dwellings-There is a
vast difference in the shapes, sizes, and
durability of residential buildings found in the rural
and urban areas of district.
In villages, small one-storeyed structures
are most
common. The walls are generally
constructed of
mud or unbaked bricks plastered inside
and outside with clay and bearing
thatched or tiled roofs . In 1971, about 63
per cent houses had unbaked brick walls. The poor generally
live in congested and insanitary
surroundings . In areas where community development schemes have been
implemented ,ventilators, bathing platforms,
improved cattle sheds and better drainage are to seen.
Elsewhere a single door is generally provided
to each house and is used
of both as the entrance to and exit from the house
. Ventilators and windows are to be rarely met with .The accommodation is scanty and
the covered space usually consists of a room , sometimes with a dark cell
inside and
a verandah opening in the front .
Sometimes a side room is added
to serve as a lounge, study or office
. A courtyard, however, is a must for every
house . The entire accommodation is
multipurpose with little privacy.
These dwellings are neither comfortable nor
hygienic from modern standards .Despite these shortcomings the houses are
invariably kept tidy.
In the towns one generally comes across pucca houses
built of Kiln-brunt bricks with lime or cement
plastering and stone , lime concrete of ferro-concrete roofs. Steel suspensions are fast
replacing the wooden beams.The dwelling consists
of several apartments each earmarked for a
specific purpose and provided with adequate
ventilation and ingress.
Furniture and Decoration- In the houses string
cots, takhats,morhas, chaukis and mats
are the usual
pieces of furniture . Kitchenware
consists of brass, aluminum and iron utensils.
water and grain is stored in earthen pots and
tins. Glazed pottery is scarce and
glass vessels are rarely used . The only decorations
that meet the eye are
caricatures an geometrical figures
on the walls
in dark shades. Occasionally printed pictures of deities, framed or loose, adorn the niches, Houses in urban
areas generally possess modern furnishings,
items of
furniture, Kitchenware, crockery and decorative
pieces.
Dress-The
normal dress of men, both Hindus
and Muslims,is shirt or a kurta and
Dhoti or pajamas. While going out,
however, they put on trousers with
a coat , shirt, or bushirt which last has become an
article of dress of the
working class. Once back home they revert
to the normal dress. On formal occasions ,
men wear sherwani or achakan
and churidar or loose pajamas. In villages
men still wear turbans .
The normal dress of women is a sari a blouse
or choli i.e; a short blouse . The punjabi
women , however, put on a salwar, a kurta
and dupatta. Some Muslim women still
wear churidar pajamas or a garara with a kurta, and a dupatta . In the towns garara or
shararas with kurtas and dupattas and, more recently ,bell- bottomed pajamas with kamiz. The use
of lahanga (full long shirt ) lingers among the
women of the villages of on ceremonial
occasions in Hindu families. Women usually cover their heads
and men use cloth caps.
Ornaments-Men
usually do not use ornaments except rings on fingers or sometimes gold chains, round necks. Women's craze for jewelry persists, silver
ornaments being more common in the rural areas.
Food-The
staple grains consumed by the
people of the district are wheat, jowar
, maize and bajra ( pearl millet) the last 3 being coarse
grains, generally eaten by the poorer
sections . The pulses consumed are urd, moong,
gram, masur, arhar and peas, Most Hindus of
the district are vegetarian by habit and preference and
although the Muslims , the Christians
and the Sikhs are generally non
-vegetarian, in the villages, where meat is not
easily and regularly resort to a vegetarian
diet.
Communal Life
Amusements and Recreation
-- Kabaddi, gulli danda, gulhar , choonghora and cards are the indigenous games
and sports common in the district. The village folk generally
look for recreation during the rainy season, and on wither nights when they are compratively free. They sing folk -songs, called dhola, rasia, holi
and dhormik
geets , to the accompaniment of handy musical
instruments like dholak and majira and often harmonium
too. Of the modern games volley-ball, foot - ball, hockey, cricket,
badminton and tennis are played mostly in towns
.
The people with a religious bent
of mind enjoy
Kathas and kirtans,. puppet shows are held in
winter mostly and are very popular .
There are four cinema houses in
the district with a
total seating capacity for 1,889 persons. Documentaries are
shown and mobile shows held in the rural areas
also. Dramatic societies and circus
etc; also visit the district now and then.
Dangal ( wrestling matches ),navtankis (indigenous open-air dramatic performances), bhajan
and Qawwali programmes, kavi -sammelan and mushara are also arranged at different places from time to time . Besides, in the local fairs, entertainment's like swings, children's carnivals and magic shows are also arranged. Ramlial and provide entertainment in their own way. Occasionally
artistes and troups from outside visit the district
and provide entertainment.
Recently the radio
has become the greatest source of news
education as well as entertainment.The All
India Radio broadcasts special programmes for the
rural listeners in. There are 7,562 privately owned licensed radio and
transistor sets in the district .The
government had also provided radio sets to gram panchayats but most of these
are not maintained . Programmes for the
youth, women and children through
organisations like the yuvak and mahila mandals
and bal mangal dals respectively,are
organised in all development blocks.
IMPACT OF ZAMINDARI ABOLITION
ON SOCIAL LIFE
The U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land
Reforms Act, 1950 (Act No. 1 1951), came into
force in the
district on July 1, 1952 , and brought
about significant changes in social and
economic life of the people
. The rural elite which consisted mainly of the zamindars
who had been exploiting the actual tillers of the
land for centuries is now replaced by community of progressive
farmers owning land cultivating it with full vigour, adopting
modern methods . Not only has the per capita availability
of farm produce increased but the general
prosperity of the people has also
gone up
manifesting itself in better food ,
costlier and better articles of dress, improved dwellings, and more stylish pieces of
house- hold furniture.
Now educational institutions are coming up
rapidly through voluntary effort to combat
illiteracy which had impeded
general progress. The rural society is undergoing a fast transformation to meet
fresh challenges of life successfully.
New
Trends -
The winds of change and improvement
are blowing all round under the
impact of the Five-year Plans. The modes of dress,
ornaments, social customs , food and
other habits
of the
people, their manner of living , religious
attitudes and social practices have under -gone almost complete transformation . The impact
of the cinema is far- reaching
but not necessarily healthy. With
the diversification of occupations and spread of education, the
social barriers are gradually breaking down . The rigidity
and rigorous of the caste system
have disappeared to a
large extent . As a result , cases of inter- caste
and inter-provincial marriage have increased and society has
become homogenous except in few instances, where untouchability persists,
particularly in the rural areas where the
legislation for the abolition of untouchability has
not so far made any very serious impact.
The extension of general and
technical education has opened up vistas of employment
in the schemes drawn up under the Five- year Plans.Women have shed their shyness
and have secured for themselves a place side by side with men in society.
The people have become politically conscious and take intense interest in the elections whether
they be of the panchayats, the State
legislature or of parliament .With
the increase in agricultural production and the higher
prices fetched by the farm products , the purchasing
power of agriculturists has gone up
tremendously
enabling them to spend liberally
on social requirements . With the introduction
of the panchayati Raj the farmers have acquired vaualble insight
into village3 administration and political power
which has to be reckoned with especially in the elections
to the district and higher
level institutions.
Area and Population Reference page no. 57
| District and Tahsil | Area in sq.km. 1971 1961 |
Population 1971 1961 Persons Male Female Persons Male Female |
||||||
| Mainpuri District Total | 4,254.0 | 4,349.6 | 14,45,534 | 7,88,435 | 6,57,099 | 11,80,894 | 6,34,951 | 5,45,943 |
| Rural | 4,233.5 | 4,329.5 | 13,23,512 | 7,21,952 | 6,01,560 | 10,93,735 | 5,87,091 | 5,06,644 |
| Urban | 20.5 | 20.1 | 1,22,022 | 66,483 | 55,539 | 87,159 | 47,860 | 39,299 |
| Jasrana Tahsil Total | 822.3 | 822.3 | 2,47,432 | 1,33,760 | 1,13,666 | 1,99,045 | 1,06,289 | 92,756 |
| Rural | 822.3 | 822.3 | 2,47,432 | 1,33,766 | 1,13,666 | 1,99,045 | 1,06,289 | 92,756 |
| Shikohabad Tahsil Total | 766.6 | 768.7 | 3,13,328 | 1,71,448 | 1,41,880 | 2,52,190 | 1,36,019 | 1,16,171 |
| Rural | 756.0 | 758.1 | 2,71,314 | 1,48,296 | 1,23,018 | 2,21,248 | 1,18,952 | 1,02,296 |
| Urban | 10.36 | 10.6 | 42,014 | 23,152 | 18,862 | 30,942 | 17,067 | 13,875 |
| Karhal Tahsil Total | 565.9 | 566.2 | 1,69,189 | 92,919 | 76,270 | 1,38,168 | 73,086 | 65,082 |
| Rural | 565.0 | 565.3 | 1,59,701 | 87,823 | 71,878 | 1,30,556 | 68,875 | 61,681 |
| Urban | 0.9 | 0.9 | 9.488 | 5,096 | 4,392 | 7,612 | 4,211 | 3,401 |
| Mainpuri Tahsil Total | 1,005.2 | 1,005.4 | 3,19,742 | 1,73,548 | 1,46,194 | 2,62,183 | 1,41,115 | 1,21,068 |
| Rural | 997.0 | 997.2 | 2,66,396 | 1,44,660 | 1,21,736 | 2,21,164 | 1,18,744 | 1,02,420 |
| Urban | 8.2 | 8.2 | 53,346 | 28,888 | 24,458 | 41,019 | 22,371 | 18,648 |
| Bhongaon Tahsil Total | 1,185.7 | 1,187.0 | 3,95,843 | 2,16,754 | 1,79,089 | 3,29,308 | 1,78,442 | 1,50,866 |
| Rural | 1,184.9 | 1,186.6 | 3,78,669 | 2,07,407 | 1,71,262 | 3,21,722 | 1,74,231 | 1,47,491 |
| Urban | 0.8 | 0.4 | 17,174 | 9,347 | 7,827 | 7,586 | 4,211 | 3,375 |
Notes :- 1.There has been no jurisdictional change in the district during the decade. The difference in area figure is due to revised calculation of area done by the Board of Revenue
2. According to Central Statistical Organisation the area of the District in 1971 was 4,254.0 sq. km.
STATEMENT II
FAIRS Reference Page No. 57
| Place | Name of Fair or its association with | Date | Average daily attendance |
| Tahsil Jasrana | |||
| Baragaon | Ram Navami | Chaitra, sukla 9 | 500 |
| Eka | Ram Lila | Asvina, sukla 3-12 | 600 |
| Jasrana | Ditto | Asvina, sukla 3-12 | 1,500 |
| Khairgarh | Ram Navami | Chaitra, sukla 9 | 500 |
| Santhi | Sivaratri | Phalguan, krishna 13 | 500 |
| Tahsil Shikohabad | |||
| Madanpur | Cattle fair | Jyaistha,krishna 10 sukla 10 | 2,000 |
| Ditto | Ditto | Magha, sukla 5 to Phalguna, Krishna 5 | 1,000 |
| Mohammadpur Newada | Ditto | Magha, sukla 5 | 1,000 |
| Nayar | Ditto | Phalguna,sukla 2 | 1,500 |
| Rupaspur | Ditto | Phalguna, krishna 13 to sukla 7 | 1,000 |
| Shikohabad M.B. | Ditto | Caitra, krishna 6-8 | 3,000 |
| Ditto | Ditto | Bhadra, sukla to Asvina krishna 2 | 2,000 |
| Ditto | Ditto | Asadh krishna 2to sukla 2 | 4,000 |
| Tilyani | Ditto | Magha krishna 2 to sukla 2 | 2,000 |
| Urawar | Ditto | Phalguna krishna 2 | 1,000 |
| Tahsil Karhal | |||
| Bhanti | Mela Bairoo | Chaitra krishan 2 | 1,000 |
| Karahal T.A. | Mela Kali Devi | Chaitra, krishna 8 | 1,000 |
| Ditto | Ramlila | Asvina, sukla 10-15 | 4,000 |
| Keshpur | Mela Thakurji | Chaitra, sukla 2 | 1,500 |
| Rajapur | Mela Mahabirji | Kartika,Sukla 15 | 2,500 |
| Tirlora Daulat | Mela Mahadeoji | Chaitra,Krishna 8 | 1,500 |
| Tahsil Mainpuri | |||
| Akbarpur Aunhha | chaman Rishi-ka Mela | Chaitra, sukla 9 | 05.00 |
| Bidhauna | Kartika Purnima | Dartika,sukla 15 | 18,000 |
| Bighprai | Devi-ji-ka-Mela | Vaisakha, krishna 8-10 | 1,100 |
| Chiror | Dasahra Jyaistha | JJyaistha,sukla 10 | 2,000 |
| Ganga Jamuni | Cattle fair | Phalguna , sukla 1-11 | 15,000 |
| Isai Saria | Mahadeoji-ka-Mela | Bhadra, 14.. | 1,000 |
| Kurauli T.A. | Ramlila | Asvina, sukla 12 | 10,000 |
| Mainpuri M.B. | Gur Purnima | Asadha, sukla 15 | 5,000 |
| Ditto | Mela Dadh Kano | Bhadra, krishna 9 | 1,000 |
| Dottp | Ram Lila | Asvina, krishna 11to sukla 11 | 20,000 |
| Ditto | Radha Ashtami | Asvina, krishna 8 | 1,000 |
| Ditto | Kans-Ka-Mela | Asvina, krishna 8 Chaitra,, krishna 2 | 10,000 |
| Mainpuri T.A. | Mela Hanuman ji | Asvina, krishna 8 | 1,000 |
| Masratpur | Dasahara Jyaistha | Jyaistha, sukal 10 | 2,000 |
| Udaetpur | Mela Sri Devi Ji | Chaitra, krishna 8 to sukla | 20,000 |
| Ujhaiya Fakirpur | Devi-ji-ka-Mela | Chaitra, sukla 15 | 1,000 |
| Tahsil Bhongaon | |||
| Alipur Khera | Cattle fair | Jyaistha,sukla 10 to Asvina, sukla 10 | 1,000 |
| Avam Sarai | Ditto | Jyasitha,sukal 10 to Asvina, sukla 10 | 2,000 |
| Bewar | Ditto | Jyasitha sukla 10 to Asvina sukla 10 | 1,000 |
| Ditto | Ram Lila | Asvina, krishna10 to sukla 15 | 5,000 |
| Bhongaon T.A. | Ditto | Asvina, krishna 11to sukla 15 | 6,000 |
| Kundi | Cattle fair | Jyaistha sukla 10 to asvina sukla10(Every Sunday and Wednesday) | 1,000 |
| Mahabatpur | Cattle | Jyaistha sukla 10 to Asvina sukla 10 | 1,500 |