Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.
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One of the main aspects of British rule was the recurring famine. It can be seen by following examples .Examples include the Deccan Famine of 1630, the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, the Agra Famine of 1837–1838, and others. Throughout these famines, about 4 crore people perished. The following factorRead more
One of the main aspects of British rule was the recurring famine. It can be seen by following examples .Examples include the Deccan Famine of 1630, the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, the Agra Famine of 1837–1838, and others. Throughout these famines, about 4 crore people perished. The following factors contributed to an abrupt increase in famines in colonial India: 1. Man-Made Famine: During World War II, Indian grains were diverted to combat missions abroad. 2. Rainfed Agriculture: Affected by the monsoon’s failure
3. Absence of Institutional Development: emphasis on cash crops (tea, indigo, jute, etc.) rather than scientific irrigation and agriculture.4. Lack of diversity in employment: (over-dependence on agriculture).
5. Role of Railway: agricultural surplus transported to deficit areas, as well as to cater to the needs of the British army made it difficult to the rural India.
6. Destruction of Rural Economy: Heavy import duty. withdrawal of patronage, etc transformed artisans into agricultural peasants.
7. Commercialization of agriculture, Colonial plunder, drain of wealth, and monopoly profits in international trade exacerbated the droughts toward famines..
however no major famine occurred in India after independence.
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