The origin and growth of statistics can be described as follows ;
Origin of Statistics:
- From the time of Mauryan empire (321-296 BC) the contribution of India in Statistics has been quite significant.
- During the time of Mughal Empire, Akbar (1596-’97) mentioned statistical system in Ain- I-Akbari’ written by Abul Fazal.
- The German word ‘Statistik’ was first used by Gottfried Achen Wall in 1749 for analysis of data of the state.
- By 18th century, the term ‘statistics’ was used for systematic collection of data by states.
- Statistics was formally introduce in Encyclopedia Britanic in 1797.
- In 17th and 18th century Laplace (1749- 1827) and Gauss (1772- 1855) presented the initial principles on probability.
- In the late 19th and early 20th century Karl Pearson founded Mathematical Statistics. Galton and Karl Pearson used mathematical statistics in science, Industry and Politics.
- During 1910 and 1920, Gosset and Fisher developed modern statistical science and applied in the fields such as genetics, biometry, psychology, education, agriculture, etc.
- During 1930, role of E. Pearson and J. Neyman has been significant in the development of statistics. After that advanced methods of statistics were developed day-by-day.
Growth of Statistics in India:
- Contribution of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis has been significant in growth of statistics in India. He has founded Indian Statistical Institute – ISI in 1931 at Kolkata. He started for the first time post graduate course in Statistics at Kolkata University in 1941.
- In 1950, Mahalanobis started National Sample Survey-NSS and started data collection. (NSS has been named as National Sample Survey Organisation – NSSO at present.)
- Indian Agriculture Statistics Research Institute – LASRI has contributed a lot in the development of statistics in India.
- Among the various definitions of statistics, the definition given by Croxton and Cowden is ‘Statistics is the science which deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.’
- How a days, statistics is not only useful for quantitative data but also for qualitative data.
- Statistics is considered as a part of scientific methods. An important branch of statistics is Operations Research-OR, which was used in the military projects during the second world war. The use of OR in industries and for the government cannot be ignored.
- The constructive development in statistical studies has considerably increased its scope and importance.
