Under British rule, India experienced an unprecedented frequency of famines (31 major famines) leading to over 60 million deaths.
Reasons for sudden spurt in famines in colonial India
Commercialisation of agriculture – Shift from food crops to cash crops reduced local food availability. Eg- Expansion of indigo, cotton, and opium cultivation under Company pressure.
Rigid land revenue systems with fixed and high revenue demands forced peasants to sell grain during scarcity.
Collapse of handicrafts increased dependence on agriculture and reduced household resilience during crop failure.
Disruption of traditional famine-coping mechanisms like community grain banks due to British policies.
Free trade ideology (laissez-faire attitude) prioritised exports over local needs. Eg- Continued grain exports during famines like the Great Famine of 1876-78.
Neglect of agricultural investment heightened vulnerability to monsoon failure. Eg- Limited irrigation outside canal colonies.
Diversion of foodgrains for British soldiers during world war II led to over 3 million deaths during Bengal famine of 1943
Role of Viceroys – Lord Lytton exported 320,000 tons of wheat to England during the Great Famine of 1876-1878
Thus, spurt in famines was an “administrative and man-made” phenomenon. It underscores the critical role of the state in ensuring food security at present.