MULTAN DISTRICT.
governors, Máltán District was made over in 1829 to the famous Sawan Mall, together with the modern Districts of Dera Isináil Khan, Dera Ghazi Khin, Muzaffargarh, and Jhang. The whole country had almost assumed the aspect of a desert from frequent warfare and spoliation; but Diwan Siwan Mall induced new inhabitants to settle in his Province, excavated numerous canals, favoured commerce, and restored prosperity to the desolated tract. After the death of Ranjít Singh, however, quarrels took place between Sawan Mall and the Kashmir Rajá; and on the uth of September 1844, the former was fatally shot in the breast by a soldier. His son Múlráj succeeded t governorship, and also to his quarrel with the authorities at Lahore. Their constant exactions at last induced him to tender his resignation. After the establishment of the Council of Regency at Lahore, as one of the results of the first Sikh war, difficulties arose between the Diwan Múlraj and the British officials, which culminated in the murder of two British officers, and finally led to the Múltán rebellion. That episode, together with the second Sikh war, belongs rather to imperial than to local history. It ended in the capture of Múltán and the annexation of the whole of the Punjab by the British. The city offered a resolute defence, but, being stormed on 2nd January 1819, fell after severe fighting; and though the fort held out for a short time longer, it was surrendered at discretion by Múlráj on the 22nd January. Múlráj was put upon his trial for the murder of our officials, and, being found guilty, was sentenced to death ; but this penalty was afterwards conmuted for that of transportation. The District at once passed under direct British rule.
Population.—The first regular Census in 1855 returned the number of inhabitants of Múltán District at 411,386. That of 1868 disclosed a total population of 472,268, showing an increase of 60,882, or 1497 per cent., in the thirteen years ending 1868. At the last enumeration in 1881, the population of the District was returned at 551,964, or a further increase of 79,696, or 16.9 per cent., between 1868 and 18$1. This increase is largely due to immigration, caused by the immense development of canal irrigation in late years.
The results of the Census of 1881 may be briefly summarized as follows:- Area of District, 5580 square miles, with 6 towns and 1287 villages; number of houses, 117,098, of which 93,599 were occupied, and 23,499 unoccupied, number of families, 115,847. Total population, 551,964, namely, males 304,517, and females 247,447. Proportion of males in total population, 55'2 per cent. The average density of the population throughout the District is returned at 94 per square mile. It must, however, be remembered that nearly half the whole area consists of great pasturage grounds, the property of Government, and scantily inhabited by nomad graziers. The area included
