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

Model Answer: 

Reasons for Sudden Spurt in Famines in Colonial India since Mid-18th Century

The sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century can be attributed to several interconnected factors:

1. Changes in agricultural practices:
• Shift from subsistence farming to cash crops (e.g., indigo, opium)
• Neglect of traditional irrigation systems
• Introduction of new land revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement, which led to increased pressure on farmers

2. Economic policies of the British East India Company:
• Exploitation of resources and heavy taxation
• Dismantling of traditional grain reserves, leaving communities vulnerable during shortages

3. Disruption of traditional socio-economic structures:
• Breakdown of village economies and loss of traditional coping mechanisms
• Weakening of local support systems that previously helped during food scarcities

4. Environmental factors:
• Deforestation leading to changes in rainfall patterns
• Soil degradation due to intensive cultivation, reducing agricultural productivity

5. Inadequate famine response:
• Lack of effective relief measures by colonial authorities
• Adherence to laissez-faire economic policies, even during times of crisis (e.g., Bihar famine 1873-74)

6. Transportation and market changes:
• Export of food grains during shortages, prioritizing profit over local needs
• Uneven distribution due to newly built railways, leading to price fluctuations and hoarding

These factors combined to create a perfect storm of conditions that increased the frequency and severity of famines. The colonial administration’s policies often prioritized economic gains over the welfare of the local population, exacerbating food insecurities. Traditional safeguards against famines were dismantled, while new systems failed to provide adequate protection or relief.

Conclusion: Colonial policies and economic changes disrupted traditional safeguards, creating a vulnerable environment prone to recurring famines.