Question

Write a note on the famines which occurred in British India.

Answer 1

1. The policy of free trade and the forcible collection of land revenue resulted in the outbreak of famines.
2. The Odisha famine of 1866-67 was a severe and terrible event.
3. The famines of 1876-78 known as the Great Famine of 1876-78 caused a large migration of agricultural laborers and artisans from Southern India to British colonies.
4. Here they worked as indentured laborers on plantations.
5. In the Madras Presidency, the famine of 1876-78 was preceded by droughts.
6. The situation was made worse because of the colonial government’s policy of laissez-faire in the trade of food grains.
7. Two of the worst famine–afflicted areas in the Madras Presidency were the district of Ganjam and Vizagapatnam. They continued to export grains throughout the famine.
8. These famines were typically followed by various infectious diseases.
9. The memory of this famine is still preserved in various folk songs and ballads.
10. The Bengal famine of 1770, as well as 1943 of British India, took a heavy toll on human lives.