Demographics of Rawalpindi District

The Demographics of Rawalpindi District, a district of Punjab in Pakistan, has undergone significant changes over the years. It has been affected by turmoil in the surrounding districts.

According to the 1998 census the population of the district was 3,363,911 of which 53.03% were urban, making Rawalpindi the second most urbanised district in Punjab.[1] By 1998 the population was estimated to be 4.41 million - a rise of over a million.[2]

History

1901 census

The 1901 census was carried out during the period of British rule, the population of the district in 1901 was 558,699, the area of the district at the time was 558,699 square miles[3]

The main tribes of Rawalpindi District at that time were the Chauhan, Awan, Dhund Abbasi, Dhanyal, Gakhars, Gujjars, Jasgam, Jats, Kashmiris, Khattar, Paracha, Rajputs, Punjabis, Punjabi-Pathans, Pathans, Mashhadi Jews and Sayyid.[4]

According to the census of 1901, the population of the main tribes were: Awan (38,768), Dhund Abbasis (23,462), Gakhars(13,328), Gujjars (25,953)Janjua Rajputs(7,557), Jats (34,556), Khattar(1,014). Miscellaneous Dhanyal(3,991), Satti (5,343) and Sayyid(12,508).

According to the 1901 Indian census Muslims numbered around 100,000, around than 40% of the total population, while Hindus and Sikhs numbered 280,000 and 155,000 respectively, while some 1,000 Jewish.[5]

After independence

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Rawalpindi District.[6] Kashmir and other areas arrived in Rawalpindi.[7] While it is accepted that population of urban Rawalpindi has been transformed since independence, the rural population in the Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian, Gujar Khan and Murree Tehsils still comprise overwhelmingly of the tribes referred to in 1901 census.[8]

See also

References

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