A systematic and modern population census, in its present form was conducted non synchronously between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of the country. This effort culminating in 1872 has been popularly labeled as the first population census of India However, the first synchronous census in India was held in 1881.

First Census Data in British India

The first census data in British India was collected in 1881. Below are some details about the first census:

Background
- The British colonial government decided to conduct a census in India to gather information about the population and its characteristics.
- The decision was influenced by several factors, including the need to administer the territory efficiently, the desire to study the social and economic conditions of the people, and the interest in understanding the religious and linguistic diversity of the country.

Process
- The census was conducted by the British government under the leadership of Sir Richard Temple, who was then the Governor of Bombay.
- The data collection process began on February 9, 1881, and lasted for about two years, covering the entire Indian subcontinent.
- The method used was a house-to-house enumeration, in which census takers visited each household to collect information about the residents.

Data Collected
- The census collected various types of data, including demographic information (such as age, gender, and marital status), occupation, religion, caste, and language.
- The data was analyzed and compiled into statistical tables, which provided a detailed picture of the Indian population at that time.
- The census revealed that India had a population of about 253 million, with Hindus comprising the majority (74%) and Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others forming the rest.

Impact
- The first census of India had significant implications for the colonial administration, as it provided valuable information for policymaking and planning.
- It also helped to create a scientific and systematic approach to studying the population, which became an important tool for social scientists and researchers in the years to come.
- However, the census also had some negative consequences, such as the reinforcement of caste-based identities and the perpetuation of colonial stereotypes about Indian society.

Conclusion
The first census of India was a landmark event in the history of British India, marking the beginning of a new era of data-driven governance and social analysis. It laid the foundation for future censuses and surveys, which continue to be an important source of information about the Indian population.

Your answer Is C (1881).the first data census collected during British india....