THE EMERGENCE OF BANGLADESH:

THE GREAT FAMINE-1770

Dr. Atik Mujahid
Northern University Bangladesh
Date- 25/3/2024
Suggestions for Final
◦ Great Famine-in1770 and causes
◦ Creation of Pakistan or partition of India and its impact
◦ Language movement and its importance
◦ Liberation war: students’ role, women's’ role
◦ Shaikh Mujibur Rahman
THE GREAT
FAMINE
IN BENGAL
1770
Why did famine happen?
 Introduction
❑ The Great Bengal Famine of 1770 was a catastrophic famine that struck the Bengal
region between 1769 and 1770 and affected some 30 million people. This famine
is considered one of the most severe and deadliest in recorded history. It
resulted in widespread starvation, disease, and the loss of millions of lives.
❑ It occurred during a period of dual governance in Bengal. The Bengali name
Chiyattorer Monnontor is derived from Bengali calendar year 1176 and the
Bengali word meaning famine.
 OVERVIEW OF THE GREAT FAMINE OF BENGAL

◦ The Great Bengal Famine of 1770, referred to as the ‘Chiyattorer Monnontor’ in Bengali. The locality, then known
as Bengal, includes the modern Indian states of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, and Dacca(Dhaka);
which form part of modern-day Bangladesh. John Cartier was the Governor of Bengal during the famine of 1770.

◦ Estimated to have resulted in the deaths of up to 10 million people, the famine occurred only six years after the East
India Company became the de-facto ruler of Bengal; as following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and Buxar in 1764,
a treaty saw the Company receive taxation rights (diwani) for the region.

◦ However, although in 1766 the European Innovation Council (EIC) disbanded the Nawab’s troops, in 1770 he was
the head of the political affairs of Bengal. There was existed a shifting balance of power between the EIC and the
Nawab – one which did not escape the minds of the region’s landlords. Thus, there was significant distrust between
the Company and the major landlords of Bengal before and during the famine of 1770.
John Cartier was one of the most well
-known Governors of Bengal Presidencyfrom
the year 1769 to 1772.

◦ The region included the territories of

undivided Bengal like West Bengal,
Tripura, Orissa, Meghalaya, Bihar,
Assam and modern Bangladesh.
Cartier acted as the governor during
the 1770 Bengal famine, which was a
catastrophic famine between 1769
and 1773. The famine affected the
lower Gangetic plain of British India
and around one-third of the
population died
 Causes & Immediate Triggers
• Introduction of east India company
• The battle of Plassey (1757)
• The battle of Buxar (1764)
• The Alahabad treaty
• Taxation Policy
• Natural disasters
• Monsoon And Drought Effect
• No permission to store
• Lack of grains offered to peasants by
merchants
East India Company and battles
Battle of Palashi in 1757 led to the defeat and death of the Nawab of Bihar, Orissa, and Bengal falling under British control and had
acquired the Diwani rights over Bengal. Mir Jafar was appointed as the Nawab after British victory, Who was only a nominal head
with the real power resting under the company’s head. After the Battle of Buxar in 1765, Bengal and Bihar were handed over to the
East India Company under the Treaty of Allahabad. The company's pursuit of wealth and increasing money lust led to 10%
increase to 50% rise in additional taxes.

Treaty of Allahabad
On 16 August 1765, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and Robert Clive, of the
East India company, which transferred tax collecting rights in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the East India Company. This treaty
granted the Dewani rights to Company with the political & constitutional involvement of the British in India. In return, the
company paid an annual tribute of 26 lakh rupees.

Taxation Policy
As lands came under company control, the land tax typically raised from 10% to up to 50% of the value of the agricultural
produce. Prior to the company’s rule, the tax rate on land revenue was only about 1/10th of the agricultural produce. But the
company increased it overnight to 50% of the produce. The company was only interested in maximising revenue and profits for
itself while the plight of the local farmers and others were completely neglected. However, this famine was caused, to a large
extent, by the company’s tax and revenue policies, and apathy of the company officials to rising starvation.

Natural Disasters
The Company claimed that the cause for this famine was natural disasters. A smallpox epidemic were thought to be the manifest
reasons for the famine. Although the monsoon immediately after did bring plentiful rains, it also brought diseases to which many
among the enfeebled fell victim.
Born on 29
September 1725
in Styche Hall in
the UK, Robert
Clive, also known
as Clive of India
or simply as Lord
Clive, was the first
British Governor of
the then Bengal
Presidency.
Monsoon And Drought Effect
During the famine in Bengal, the failure of monsoons and the subsequent drought played a critical role in exacerbating the
food crisis. A failure of monsoon in Bengal and Bihar had led to partial shortfall of produce in 1768; market prices were
higher than usual in early 1769. In 1769, there was a monsoon failure followed by severe drought. Starvation deaths started
but the company officials ignored this situation. The monsoons, which usually provide water for crops, didn't bring enough
rain to Bengal in 1770 that time the farmers could not bring home the crops . This left fields dry and led to a scarcity of
water, especially affecting the growth of rice.
No permission to store
Peasants usually stored the excess production in order to meet the unfortunate situations such as crop failure. With the
increase in tax rate, the peasants were unable to maintain these safety nets. The farmers were not permitted to store produce,
and they could not store too, because of the terrible tax regime under the English. On the other hand, The British forced
farmers to harvest cash crops like poppy and indigo for export rather than food crops like paddy. This resulted in a shortage
of grains for the people.
Control of Market
the company began to control the food grain market in Bengal. Due to loot of profits from the food grain market the price
of food grains increased. As a result of the famine, there was a shortage of food among the people of Bengal. As a result
they die of starvation and famine.
Lack of grains offered to peasants by merchants
Other reasons that added to the famine’s pressure are that the grain merchants stopped offering to the farmers and peasants;
while the export mechanism for grains to the other areas was intact, the company kept buying huge portions of the produce
for the purpose of feeding the army and their servants. The Indian Gomasthas formed a monopoly on the production of
grains locally.
 Consequences of the Famine 1770

❑ Impact on Agriculture
❑ Decline of Health and Sanitation
❑ Malnutrition & starvation
❑ Increased mortality due to illnesses and hunger
❑ Natural Disaster
❑ Livestock Loss
❑ The spread of Diseases
❑ Loss of Lives
❑ Economic decline
❑ Social disruption
❑ Displacement & migration
❑ Impact on education
❑ Long-term development setbacks
❑ Psychological impact
 Impact On Agriculture
• The impact on Agriculture during the great famine in
Bengal was severe and multifaceted with a combination of
crop failures, disease, British economic policies, and
farmers' distress which contributed to widespread
devastation.

❑ Crop failure
❑ Livestock loss
❑ Seed scarcity
❑ The spread of diseases
❑ Economic distress for farmer
The Bengal Famine of 1770 was a tragic event brought changes in many factors. British policies significantly reshaped
traditional agricultural systems in Bengal, leading to increased vulnerability to famines.

Land Revenue Policies: The British implemented a new land revenue system in Bengal known as the Permanent Settlement in
1793.

Crop Choices and Commercialization: The Permanent Settlement pushed Zamindars to prioritize cash crops, particularly
indigo and opium over food crops. The emphasis on cash crops for export rather than subsistence crops reduced the cultivation
of essential food grains.

Land Use Changes:

The introduction of cash crops led to a decline in the cultivation of food crops like rice and pulses, which were vital for local
consumption.

Tenancy Arrangements and Exploitative Practices:

The Zamindari system often subjected peasants to exploitative practices. Peasants were given insecure tenancy rights, leading to
landlessness and increased dependence on landlords. The peasants had little incentive to invest in land improvements, reducing
agricultural productivity.

Infrastructure Neglect:
The focus on revenue extraction under the Permanent Settlement did not encourage investments in irrigation systems or
infrastructure. As a result, when natural disasters like floods or droughts struck, there was inadequate infrastructure to mitigate
the impact, leading to widespread crop failures and famine.
 Decline of Health and Sanitation
The Great Famine of 1770 highlighted how famine conditions not only result in hunger and starvation but also create a
breeding ground for diseases to thrive due to compromised health and sanitation conditions. The interconnectedness of
food security, public health, and sanitation became tragically evident during this devastating period. Famine conditions led to
a decline in public health and sanitation, causing diseases to spread more rapidly, further contributing to the death toll.

Immune system: When people face extreme food shortages, their immune systems weaken, making them more susceptible
to diseases. Malnutrition weakens the body's ability to fight off illnesses, leaving individuals vulnerable to various infections
and diseases.

Water pollution: The famine forced many to consume unclean water and food due to the scarcity of resources, leading to
the spread of waterborne diseases and infections.

Sanitation and hygiene: Inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices due to the overwhelming struggle for survival
worsened the already precarious health situation. Proper waste disposal, clean water sources, and basic hygiene practices
were compromised during the famine, creating a breeding ground for diseases like cholera, dysentery, and other infections to
spread rapidly.
Malnutrition and Starvation
Lack of food be to malnutrition and, in extreme cases, starvation which caused made people compel to meet the death. If affected
physical and resulted in long-term health problems. If we watch the interviews and documentaries of those affected people, we can
understand it better. As they explained the ghastly scenario of 1770.

Increased mortality due to illnesses and hunger

This famine led to a significant increase in mortality rates due to lingerie related illnesses and immune systems. Besides, populations,
such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, were particularly 7 to 10 million people or about one-third of the population of
Bengal.

Natural Disaster
Along with crop failure natural calamities like droughts have worsened the agricultural crisis. During this period two years of severe
drought events crops, agriculture land and agricultural infrastructure were further destroyed. It also dried up fields, canals, and banks,
causing extensive crop failures and resulting in widespread food shortages. A combination of crop failure and natural calamities has
severely disrupted the normal agricultural cycle and thrown farmers into economic crisis.

Livestock Loss
Famine was caused by the death of livestock due to insufficient pasture, lack of water, or diseases resulting from weakened immune
systems. The loss of livestock not only affects food supply but also has economic implications for communities dependent on
agriculture.

The spread of Diseases

Villages of Bengal were plagued by epidemics. Epidemics such as smallpox, cholera, and typhoid were common during this time and
spread rapidly in the crowded and unsanitary environment. Many people die from diseases due to lack of food and malnutrition. These
diseases not only affect the health and environment of individuals but also reduce the labor force available for agricultural work.
Loss of Lives
The famine led to an enormous loss of life, with estimates suggesting that ten millions of people perished due to starvation, diseases, and related
causes. At the time of the famine of 1770, the population of Bengal was about 30 millions but The population was drastically reduced due to famine.
Before the famine the population growth rate of Bengal was quite good. But the population growth rate decreased due to famine.

Economic Consequences
The economy of the region was severely disrupted. Crop failures led to a scarcity of food, which, combined with skyrocketing prices, caused
economic instability. As a result, One-third of people died. and we lost our manpower for farming. No effective measures were taken to alleviate the
famine but revenue collection continued. The revenue collected in 1771 was Rs 5,22,000 more than the revenue collected in 1768 was Rs 15.21
million. It also played an important role in the impact on agriculture. Farmers, facing a tax increase from 10% to 50%, gave away their last savings of
seeds, exacerbating seed scarcity. Food prices rose as famine intensified. Farmers face extreme economic distress due to crop loss, tax burden and
economic exploitation. They could not produce good products.

Social Disruption:
The famine affected the most vulnerable sections of society, falling them into a struggle for survival. The Great Bengal Famine was not merely a
natural disaster; it was a manifestation of the systemic inequalities prevalent in society at that time. It highlighted the profound disparity in access to
resources, power, and ultimately, survival. It's a reminder of the importance of addressing social inequality to ensure a more just and equitable society
for all.

Long-Term Effects:
The repercussions of the famine were felt long after it ended. There were changes in land ownership patterns, economic systems, and a deepening
resentment among the population towards the British East India Company due to their handling of the crisis.
Land ownership and inequality:
The famine also had a significant impact on land ownership patterns and exacerbated existing inequalities. Many farmers were forced to sell their land
to wealthy landowners due to the economic hardship caused by the famine. This concentration of land ownership further marginalized the poorest
farmers and made it even more difficult for them to recover from the famine's effects.
 BACK

The Legacies of The Great Bengal Famine of 1770:

Policy Reforms:
Famine made leaders rethink and change policies.
Shifted to more thoughtful governance to avoid disasters.

Agricultural Practices:
Famine showed the risk of relying on just one crop.
Bengal diversified farming for safety and more food.

Economic Consequences:
Famine hurt trade and farming in Bengal.
Pushed Bengal to plan a strong, self-sufficient economy.

Long-term Changes in Governance:

Famine led to changes in how Bengal is governed.
Prepared for future crises with better plans.

Historical consequences:
Bengal still thinks about the 1770 Famine.
Guides how they see colonial impact and fair governance.
 Government and other Response

• Government actions & policies during the famine

• International response to the famine
• Assistance from the international community
 Government's Actions And Policies During The Famine :
➢The famine occurred during a period of dual governance in Bengal, where the East India Company had the
right to collect revenue, but the Mughal governor still controlled the civil administration. This created
confusion and conflict over the responsibility and authority of the two powers.

➢The East India Company also failed to provide adequate relief measures to the affected population. It did
not reduce the revenue demands, import sufficient food grains, or prevent the hoarding and speculation of
grain by its officials and merchants. It also ignored the warnings and appeals of its own employees, such as
Warren Hastings and Robert Clive, who urged for more humane and effective policies.

➢The famine had a lasting impact on the economy, society, and politics of Bengal. It reduced the population
by around a third, destroyed the agricultural and artisanal production, and increased the poverty and misery
of the survivors. It also weakened the authority and legitimacy of the Mughal governor and the East India
Company, and paved the way for the British takeover of Bengal in 1772.

➢Though some of the company officials helped the starving, the company administration as a whole didn’t
engage in famine relief work. Though they had enough cash reserves, they didn’t provide the local
cultivators with any materials or any credit (Dalrymple, p. 215).
 The International Response To The Famine:
The international response to the famine was very limited and ineffective. There was no coordinated effort by the
European powers or the Mughal Empire to provide humanitarian aid or intervention to the famine-stricken regions. The
British government in London was largely unaware or indifferent to the situation in Bengal did not exert any pressure on
the East India Company to change its policies or actions.

The other European countries, such as France, Portugal, and the Netherlands, had their own colonial interests and
rivalries in India, and did not show any sympathy or solidarity with the Bengali people. The Mughal Empire was in
decline and disarray, and could not offer any assistance or protection to its provinces. The famine was largely ignored or
forgotten by the rest of the world, and the suffering and death of millions of people went unnoticed and unrecorded.
 Humanitarian & Economical Crisis

• Early signs of famine

• Humanitarian crisis & critiques
• Devastating impact on population & economy
• Impact on trade & agriculture
Humanitarian Crisis:
Sir William Hunter portrayed the clear image of the famine,
“The husbandmen sold their cattle, they sold their implements of agriculture; they devoured their seed
grain; they sold their sons and daughters, till at length no buyers of children could be found. They ate the
leaves of the trees and the grass of the field; and in June the Resident at the durbar affirmed that the
livings were feeding off the dead” (McLane, p. 194).

John Debrit and published in the Gentleman’s Magazine:

“Our Gentlemen in many places purchased the rice at 120 and 140 seers for a rupee, which they afterwards sold
for 15 seers for a rupee, to the Black [Indian] merchants, so that the persons principally concerned had made great
fortunes by it” (Debrit, 1771).

East India Company had a strong economic condition at that time. Britain was one of the richest countries as their
per capita GDP was 1706$ in 1820 where the average of the world was 616$ (Maddison, p. 382).
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