CHAP. III. 



Population. 



30 



MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



The low figures for the period ending 1847, as compared with 

 the preceding and succeeding percentages are, I conclude^ in a 

 measure due to Ouchterlony's numbers being rigorously restricted 

 to the plateau, whilst Ward's in 1821, and the returns in 

 1856, seem to include the lower slopes also. If the Badaga 

 population of 1812 is compared with that returned in 1847, the 

 annual average increase was 5* 6 per cent. only. More reliance 

 may be placed on the census of 1825, the results of which were as 

 follows. The small number of girls, however, is suspicious, 

 though, to some extent, early marriages may account for it. 



i 



Men 

 Women 

 Boys 

 Girls 



Villages 

 Houses 



Total 



1,668 



1,696 



1,151 



632 



5,147 



35 

 1.651 



Village 

 Population. 



The distribution of these tribes among the several villages ^ 

 is as follows : — 



1 A village on the Nilagiris often embraces a number of hamlets, some of 

 •which may be as extensive as the parent village. The Perangandd and Mekandd 

 villages are co-terminous with the sub. divisions of these names. 



