Q.Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) (2022)

Body

graph TD
A["Famine Factors in Colonial India"] --> B["British Economic Policies: Commercialization of Agriculture, Land Revenue Exploitation"]
A --> C["Natural Factors & Population Growth: Droughts & Monsoon Failure, Population Rise"]
A --> D["Destruction of Traditional Agrarian System: Disruption of Village Economy, Decline of Irrigation"]
A --> E["Failure of British Famine Policies: Laissez-Faire Approach, Export of Grains"]

• Forced Commercialization of Agriculture: The colonial administration pressured farmers to cultivate non-food cash crops (like indigo, cotton, and opium) instead of food grains, reducing domestic food reserves and increasing vulnerability to monsoonal failures.

• Exploitative Land Revenue Systems: Rigid revenue demands under systems like the Permanent Settlement forced peasants into debt, leading to land alienation and leaving them with no surplus grain reserves.

• Disruption of Traditional Relief Systems: The British dismantled traditional community-based grain storage and local charity networks, replacing them with a market-driven economy.

• Adherence to Laissez-Faire and Grain Exports: Guided by free-market ideologies, the colonial government refused to ban grain exports even during severe shortages. For instance, districts in the Madras Presidency continued exporting grain during active famines.

• Administrative Neglect and Apathy: Relief measures were often delayed, inadequate, or tied to harsh labor tests (e.g., the restrictive measures implemented under Lord Curzon).

• Drain of Wealth and Deindustrialization: The destruction of domestic handicrafts impoverished millions, leaving them without the purchasing power to buy food during crop failures.