The first All India Census was attempted in the year 1872. Here`s a further analysis of each option:

Option 1 suggests the year 1871. This is incorrect because the census wasn`t carried out in India till 1872.

Option 2 is the correct answer, stating the year 1872. This is when the first comprehensive census was conducted throughout India, under British colonial rule.

Option 3 suggests the year 1881. This is incorrect. However, it`s worth mentioning that the 1881 census is of significance because it was the first regular census, meaning it was the beginning of the as-yet-unbroken decennial (every ten years) tradition of census-taking in India.

Option 4 suggests the year 1861. This is also incorrect. Although the British administration began to show interest in the demographic patterns of India around this time, the actual comprehensive census hadn`t begun until a decade later, in 1872.