GS Question

There were several reasons for the sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century:

1. British economic policies: The British colonial administration focused on exporting Indian agricultural produce to Europe, leading to the conversion of large areas of land to cash crops like indigo, cotton, and tea. This resulted in a reduction of food crops, leaving fewer resources for local consumption, and making the population more vulnerable to famines.

2. Land revenue policies: The British introduced a new land revenue system, known as the Permanent Settlement, which fixed land taxes at a high level. This forced many Indian farmers into impoverishment and made them unable to invest in irrigation or adapt to changing agricultural conditions, increasing their vulnerability during periods of drought and crop failures.

3. Exploitative taxation policies: The British also imposed heavy taxation on agricultural land and forced peasants to pay taxes in cash rather than in kind. This burdened the rural population and resulted in increased poverty and indebtedness, making it difficult for them to cope with crop failures and famine situations.

4. Loss of traditional methods: The British colonial administration discouraged indigenous agricultural practices like multiple cropping, mixed farming, and reservoir irrigation, which were effective in reducing the impact of droughts or other natural disasters. Instead, modern methods were promoted, which were often unsuitable for the Indian climate and led to the over-reliance on a single crop, further increasing the vulnerability to famines.

5. Lack of infrastructure: The British authorities failed to invest in infrastructure development, such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks, which were crucial in mitigating the effects of droughts and enabling the movement of food supplies during famines. This lack of infrastructure exacerbated the impact of famines and hindered relief efforts.

6. Social and economic inequalities: The British rule reinforced social and economic inequalities in India, with wealth and resources concentrated in the hands of a few elites. These elites often prioritized their own interests over famine relief efforts, exacerbating the suffering of the rural population.

Overall, the combined effect of exploitative economic policies, agrarian disruptions, lack of investment in infrastructure, and social inequalities under British colonial rule contributed to the sudden increase in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century.