Reasons for the sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-18th century.
Before the arrival of the British, famines in India were largely localized and caused by natural factors like drought. However, from the mid-18th century (starting with the Great Bengal Famine of 1770), famines became more frequent and deadly, killing millions due to man-made colonial policies.
1. Predatory Land Revenue Policies
The British East India Company introduced systems like the Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari, which demanded extremely high taxes in cash.
- Loss of Surplus: Farmers were forced to sell their buffer stocks of grain to pay taxes, leaving them with no reserves during a crop failure.
- Rigid Collection: Revenue was collected strictly even during droughts, forcing farmers into the hands of money-lenders.
2. Forced Commercialization of Agriculture
The British forced farmers to grow cash crops instead of food crops to feed the Industrial Revolution in England.
- Cash vs. Food: Vast areas were shifted from rice and wheat to Indigo, Cotton, Opium, and Jute. This decreased the total availability of food in the local markets.
- Market Volatility: Farmers became dependent on global prices; when prices crashed, they had neither money nor food.
3. Laissez-faire Policy and Food Exports
The colonial government followed a "Laissez-faire" (non-interference) policy, refusing to control prices or stop food exports during shortages.
- Export of Grain: Even when millions were dying, India continued to export wheat and rice to Britain. For example, during the 1870s, grain exports reached record highs while the Great Famine ravaged the country.
4. Destruction of Traditional Irrigation
Ancient village-based tanks and canals were neglected as the British focused only on revenue collection. The lack of investment in rural infrastructure made Indian agriculture completely dependent on the uncertain Monsoon.
5. Breakdown of Social Security
Traditional Indian rulers used to provide tax relief and open public granaries during crises. The British government, however, viewed famine relief as an unnecessary expense, leading to administrative negligence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the spurt in famines was not just a result of bad weather, but a direct consequence of colonial exploitation. By prioritizing British profits over Indian lives, the colonial administration turned manageable food shortages into catastrophic famines, leaving a deep scar on India's demographic history.