Question

Why did the British not help the people of Bengal during the famine? Could'nt they have brought food from Britain?

Answer 1

1. The British policy during famines was based on what they called Darwinian notions of letting the fittest survive.
2. This famine policy involved setting up famine works several kilometres away from the famine area on the assumption that the people who could come to the relief centre were worth saving.
3. The British have the infamy of not intervening in any famine, despite the fact that they could have imported food grains.
4. The notion prevailing at the time was to collect maximum revenue form agriculture and not follow any steps to increase production.