Question

Substantiate how British rule created famines in India and its effects.

Answer 1

The developments in the fields of agriculture, pottery, and metal tools are considered a landmark in the life of the Iron Age period:

Instructions: The answer can be divided into five parts:

1. Policy of free trade
2. Examples of Famines: Odisha famine of 1866–67; The Great Famine of 1876– 78
3. Impact of Famine

Solution:
The policy of free trade and the forcible collection of land revenue led to famines. The Odisha famine of 1866–67: A severe famine which led to the death of one-third of the population. The Great Famine of 1876– 78: Resulted in large scale migration of South Indian agricultural labourers and artisans to British colonies. These famines were typically followed by various infections which killed a population already weakened by starvation.