Famines in Colonial India

Famines in colonial India were frequent and devastating events that had significant social, economic, and political consequences. They were often the result of a combination of factors, including natural disasters, economic policies, and administrative decisions by the British colonial authorities. Read here to learn more.

The Bengal Famine of 1943 is a tragic episode in the history of British India, and it continues to be remembered as a significant humanitarian disaster that had far-reaching social, political, and economic consequences.

A large number of famines struck the Indian subcontinent during the British rule, with excessively high mortality due to the incapable administration of the British.

The only positive lesson taken from the devastations was that the Indian nationalists gave utmost importance to food security post-independence.

Famines in Colonial India

Famines occurred periodically in colonial India, with several major famines during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Some of the most devastating famines included the Bengal Famine of 1770, the Great Famine of 1876-78, the Bombay Famine of 1899-1900, and the Bengal Famine of 1943.

• Great Bengal Famine (1769-1770)
• Chalisa Famine (1783-84)
• Doji bara famine or Skull famine in Madras Presidency (1791-92)
• Agra famine (1837-1838)
• Upper Doab famine (1860–1861)
• Orissa famine (1866-67)
• Rajputana famine (1868-70)
• Bihar famine (1873-74)
• Great Famine (1876-1878) (also Southern India famine)
• Indian famine (1896-1897)
• Indian famine (1899-1900)
• Bengal famine of 1943

Bengal Famine of 1943

The Bengal Famine of 1943, also known as the Great Bengal Famine, was a catastrophic food shortage that occurred in the Bengal province of British India during World War II.

It is considered one of the most severe famines of the 20th century and resulted in significant suffering and loss of life.

• The famine occurred during World War II, when Bengal, a province in eastern India, was under British colonial rule. The war disrupted normal trade patterns and led to a scarcity of food supplies.

The primary cause of the famine was a series of crop failures in Bengal, particularly of rice, which was the staple food of the region.

• These crop failures were attributed to a combination of factors, including adverse weather conditions, such as a cyclone and excessive rainfall, and the Japanese occupation of Burma (present-day Myanmar), which disrupted rice imports into Bengal.
• Price Inflation: As food became scarcer due to crop failures, the prices of essential food items, especially rice, rose significantly. This made it increasingly difficult for the poor and vulnerable populations to afford basic sustenance.
• Hoarding and Black Market: Speculation, hoarding, and the emergence of a black market exacerbated the food crisis. Some traders and businesses sought to profit from the shortage, driving up prices and making food even scarcer for the general population.

The British colonial administration’s response to the famine was widely criticized.

• While they did take some measures to alleviate the crisis, such as importing rice and distributing relief, these efforts were often insufficient and ineffective.
• There were also policies in place, such as grain requisitioning, that were intended to support the war effort but exacerbated the food shortage in Bengal.
• The famine led to a significant loss of life. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, but it is generally believed that several million people perished as a result of the famine and its related effects, such as disease and malnutrition. The most vulnerable groups, including the poor and marginalized, suffered the most.

The Bengal Famine had a profound impact on the political landscape in India. It heightened anti-colonial sentiments and contributed to a growing demand for independence from British rule. Many Indians viewed the British response to the famine as inadequate and insensitive.

The Bengal Famine of 1943 remains a highly contentious and debated historical event. While it was influenced by natural factors, it is also seen as a result of failed policies and a lack of proper governance by the British authorities. It serves as a symbol of the broader issues related to colonialism, food security, and governance in the context of wartime crises.

Causes of Famine

• Natural Factors: Droughts, floods, crop failures, and other natural disasters were common triggers for famines in agrarian India.
• Economic Policies: The British colonial economic policies, including the promotion of cash crops like indigo and opium, and the export of food grains to Britain, sometimes exacerbated food shortages.
• Land Revenue System: The British introduced a land revenue system that imposed a heavy tax burden on Indian peasants. This led to land overexploitation and indebtedness, making them vulnerable to crop failures.

Other causes which aggravated the intensity of the famines were:

• Inadequate Relief: The British colonial government’s response to famines was often criticized for being inadequate.
• Relief measures were introduced, but they were often delayed and insufficient in scale. Many people suffering from famine received little or no assistance.
• Food Grain Export: During some famines, the British authorities continued to export food grains from India to Britain, exacerbating food scarcity in the affected regions.
• The economic interests of British merchants and the colonial administration often took precedence over the welfare of the Indian population.

Impact

Social Impact: Famine led to widespread suffering, loss of life, and displacement.

• Starvation, malnutrition, and diseases associated with famine caused high mortality rates.
• Social systems were disrupted, and large-scale migrations occurred as people sought food and relief.

Economic Impact: Famine contributed to the impoverishment of Indian agriculture and the decline of traditional industries. The consequences of famines lingered for years after the food shortages had subsided.

Political Consequences: Famines and the colonial government’s response to them played a role in fostering political awareness and activism. Indian leaders and reformers began to demand changes in the administration and greater self-governance.

Famine Codes: In the late 19th century, the colonial government introduced Famine Codes that outlined procedures for relief during food shortages. While these codes improved the administration of relief during some famines, they could not prevent the recurrence of food shortages.

Conclusion

Famines in colonial India are often seen as a dark chapter in the history of British colonial rule, marked by human suffering and economic exploitation. They played a role in shaping political and social movements that ultimately contributed to the struggle for India’s independence.

After gaining independence in 1947, India implemented policies and initiatives to mitigate the impact of famines, such as the Green Revolution, which improved agricultural productivity and food security.

Previous year question

Q. Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-18th century? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks [GS paper 1, 2022]

-Article by Swathi Satish