Q. Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

Model Answer: 

Sudden Spurt in Famines in Colonial India

Sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century can be attributed to several factors, including British colonial policies, economic exploitation, agricultural changes, and natural disasters. These factors are interconnected and played a significant role in exacerbating the vulnerability of the Indian population to famines.

1. British Colonial Policies

a. Land Revenue System: The British introduced various land revenue systems, such as the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems. These systems aimed at maximizing revenue collection for the British administration, often at the expense of the cultivators. High land revenue demands led to the impoverishment of the peasantry, making them more susceptible to famines.

b. Deindustrialization: British policies led to the decline of traditional Indian industries, such as textiles and handicrafts, as they flooded the Indian market with cheap British manufactured goods. This resulted in a loss of employment opportunities for Indian artisans, pushing them towards agriculture and increasing the pressure on land resources.

2. Economic Exploitation

a. Drain of Wealth: The British exploited India’s resources and wealth for their benefit, leading to a drain of wealth from the country. This included the extraction of taxes, profits from trade, and the transfer of resources to Britain. This drain of wealth left the Indian economy impoverished and unable to cope with the demands of a growing population.

b. Infrastructure Neglect: The British focused on building infrastructure that served their economic interests, such as railways and ports, while neglecting other essential infrastructure like irrigation systems and food storage facilities. This lack of investment in agricultural infrastructure contributed to the vulnerability of the Indian population to famines.

3. Agricultural Changes

a. Cash Crops: The British encouraged the cultivation of cash crops, such as cotton, indigo, and opium, for export to Britain and other countries. This shift in agricultural production led to a reduction in the cultivation of food crops, making India more dependent on imports and vulnerable to food shortages.

b. Land Fragmentation: The colonial land revenue systems and the growth in population led to the fragmentation of landholdings, resulting in smaller and less productive farms. This made it difficult for farmers to invest in agricultural improvements and increased their vulnerability to crop failures and famines.

4. Natural Disasters

a. Droughts and Floods: India has always been prone to natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, which can lead to crop failures and food shortages. However, the vulnerability of the Indian population to these disasters increased during the colonial period due to the factors mentioned above, such as the decline in traditional industries, the drain of wealth, and the neglect of agricultural infrastructure.

In conclusion, the sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century can be attributed to the interplay of British colonial policies, economic exploitation, agricultural changes, and natural disasters. These factors combined to create a situation where the Indian population was more vulnerable to food shortages and famines, leading to widespread suffering and death.