Question 8GS1GS1
Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.
Introduction
The mid 18th century saw a sudden spurt in the number of famines, as observed in 1866, 1877, 1899 and 1900.
21 words
Main Body
Reasons
1British imperialism → expansion of commercial cultivation like indigo, tea etc. → decline in traditional food crops → disequilibrium in food supply and demand.
2Exorbitant revenue policies → low agricultural productivity was low, but revenue demand was high, led to selling of crops at low prices → meager surplus → loss of food supply.
3Increase on rural press well → limited housing space, pressure on natural resources like soil increased → decrease in soil productivity.
4Lack of diversification of accurate sources of incomes → map failure affected a large population dependent on it, due to deindustrialization of India.
5Frequent outbreaks of plague and diseases, with exacerbated me existing crisis.
Thus, frequent famines added to discontent of people, which led to rise of revolutionary extremism in first half of 20th century.
136 words1 paragraphs
- Multiple reasons provided systematically
- Connection made to broader historical impact
- Clear causal linkages shown
Topper
Ritika Chitlangia
Subject & Paper
GS1GS1
Topic
Modern Indian History
Colonial Economy and Policies
Famines in Colonial India
Writing Stats
157
Total words
1
Paragraphs
analytical and explanatory
Tone