Class 11 Statistics Notes · GSEB

Origin and Growth of Statistics

Origin and Growth of Statistics — learn the historical development of statistics from ancient India to modern times. GSEB Class 11 Statistics notes with key contributors and institutions.

Last updated: 2 Aug 2026

Notes

Statistics Through Time — Historical Timeline

Click any node on the timeline to reveal its historical significance and what came next.

AncientBirthProbabilityMath RiseModern

Think about it

India had organized statistical systems over 2,300 years ago under the Mauryan Empire — long before Europe developed formal statistics. Today, institutions like the ISI (founded 1931) and NSSO continue this legacy, collecting data that shapes government policy affecting 1.4 billion people.

Key Figures — Who Built Statistics

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Gottfried Achenwall

Terminologist

1749

Birth Era

Gottfried Achenwall

First used the German word 'Statistik' for analysis of data about the state.

Coined the name of the field.

Pierre-Simon Laplace

Probability Theorist

1749–1827

Probability Era

Pierre-Simon Laplace

One of two giants of initial probability theory results developed in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Carl Friedrich Gauss

Probability Theorist

1772–1855

Probability Era

Carl Friedrich Gauss

One of two giants of initial probability theory results. His work laid mathematical foundations for statistics.

Karl Pearson

Founder of Mathematical Statistics

Late 19th – Early 20th C

Mathematical Era

Karl Pearson

Used mathematical statistics in Science, Industry and Politics. Founded the world's first University statistics department at University College, London (1911). Founded the advanced statistical laboratory in England.

Established statistics as an independent academic discipline.

William Gosset

Small Sample Pioneer

1910–1920

Mathematical Era

William Gosset

Initiated the development of modern statistical science for data having small samples.

Ronald A. Fisher

Father of Statistics

1910–1920 active

Mathematical Era

Ronald A. Fisher

Applied statistics to genetics, biometry, psychology, education, agriculture. Initiated modern statistical science for small sample data. Well known as father of statistics.

Most important single figure — exam frequently asks 'Who is the father of statistics?'

P. C. Mahalanobis

Indian Statistical Pioneer

1893–1972

Modern Era

P. C. Mahalanobis

Founded ISI (1931). Started first PG statistics course at Calcutta University (1941). Proposed National Sample Survey (1950). Formulated Second Five Year Plan using O.R. techniques (1953). Devised the Mahalanobis distance. Served as chairman of UN Sub-Commission on sampling (1947–51). Honorary statistical advisor to Government of India (1949). Awarded Padma Vibhushan (1968).

Central figure for Indian statistics — multiple exam questions.

Egon Pearson

Statistical Theorist

1930

Modern Era

Egon Pearson

Collaborated with J. Neyman on refinement and expansion of statistical methods.

Jerzy Neyman

Statistical Theorist

1930

Modern Era

Jerzy Neyman

Collaborated with E. Pearson on refinement and expansion of statistical methods.

More Indian Statisticians to Remember

Prof. C. R. Rao, Prof. R. R. Bahadur, Prof. D. Basu, Prof. D. Lahiri, Prof. K. R. Nair, Prof. P. V. Sukhatme, Prof. S. K. Mitra, Prof. R. C. Bose, Prof. S. N. Roy, Prof. N. M. Bhatt, and Prof. C. G. Khatri — all made significant contributions to statistical science from India.

Definition of Statistics

Statistics (Croxton and Cowden Definition)

Statistics is the Science which deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.

In Plain Language

Statistics is the scientific method for gathering numerical information, analyzing it systematically, and drawing meaningful conclusions from it. It is not merely the numbers themselves — it is the entire process of working with those numbers.

Modern Scope

Nowadays, statistics is not only useful for quantitative data but also for qualitative data and is considered an independent part of scientific methods.

Applications of Operations Research (O.R.)

Government: Maximize per capita income with minimum resources.

Industry: Decide optimum allocation of resources (men, machines, etc.).

Marketing: Decide size of stock to meet future demand.

Considering the use of Statistics in recent times, its importance cannot be ignored. The constructive development in statistical studies has considerably increased its scope and importance.

Real-Life Connection

Think about the last time you checked weather forecasts, exam results, or cricket statistics — that is statistics in action. The Indian government uses statistical methods to plan everything from food distribution (PDS) to railway routes. Even Zomato uses statistical data to predict delivery times and restaurant demand.

Key Takeaways

The German word 'Statistik' was first used by Gottfried Achenwall in 1749.
Karl Pearson founded the world's first University statistics department at University College, London in 1911 and is known as the founder of mathematical statistics.
R. A. Fisher is known as the father of statistics — he applied statistics to genetics, biometry, psychology, education, and agriculture.
P. C. Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931 at Calcutta and pioneered the National Sample Survey (1950).
Statistics, according to Croxton and Cowden, is the science dealing with collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.
Operations Research (O.R.) came to India in 1949 and was used by Mahalanobis to formulate the Second Five Year Plan (1956–61).