Answer: 

Introduction:

The arrival of the British colonial era in India from the mid-eighteenth century had profound impacts on the country’s social and economic fabric. One of the most disastrous consequences of this period was the sudden and devastating increase in famines, which inflicted widespread starvation and loss of life on the Indian population.

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Body:

The sudden spurt in famines in colonial India can be attributed to several factors, which were primarily a result of British colonial policies and their impact on the Indian economy and society:

• Agricultural Policies: British land revenue policies, such as the Permanent Settlement of 1793 in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, placed a heavy tax burden on farmers, leaving them with little incentive or resources to invest in agricultural improvements. The Ryotwari System, implemented in Madras, Bombay, and parts of Assam, also led to high land revenue demands and further stressed the farmers.
• Cash Crops and Commercialization: British colonial policies encouraged the cultivation of cash crops, such as indigo, cotton, and opium, which led to a decline in food crop cultivation and made the Indian population more susceptible to food shortages and famines.
• Infrastructure and Irrigation: The British built extensive railway networks in India, but the construction of irrigation canals and other agricultural infrastructure was comparatively limited, resulting in increased vulnerability to famines.
• Economic Exploitation: The British extracted resources from India through heavy taxation and trade imbalances, which depleted India’s wealth and left the population with fewer resources to deal with famines. The ‘drain of wealth’ theory by Dadabhai Naoroji highlights this exploitation.
• Inadequate Famine Relief Measures: The colonial government’s response to famines was often slow and inadequate. For instance, during the Orissa famine of 1866, the colonial government’s relief measures were criticized due to prioritizing law and order over relief.
• Ecological Factors: Deforestation for agriculture and resources extraction worsened droughts and increased vulnerability to famines. For example: Deforestation in the Central Provinces and Berar caused ecological imbalances and more frequent droughts.

Conclusion:

The famines had long-lasting impacts on the Indian population, leading to a loss of lives, displacement, and economic stagnation. It is crucial to acknowledge and address the issue by implementing policies that promote sustainable agriculture and provide adequate support to vulnerable communities in times of crisis. Simply put, the devastating famines in colonial India highlight the negative impact of British rule and the need for fair policies and resource management.

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