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What were the causes and consequences of the Odisha Famine of 1866?

Q. What were the causes and consequences of the Odisha Famine of 1866? Discuss in the light of the following: (a) British policy of forcibly extracting agricultural revenue. (b) The heavy dependence of agriculture in India on forces of nature.

Ans: The Odisha Famine of 1866, also known as the Na-Anka Durbhiksha, was one of the most devastating famines in Indian history. It was precipitated by a combination of exploitative colonial policies and environmental vulnerability, resulting in the deaths of nearly a third of the population in Odisha.

(a) British Policy of Forcibly Extracting Agricultural Revenue

  • High land revenue was demanded regardless of crop failure or local distress.
  • Anticipation of a new revenue settlement discouraged cultivation, as farmers feared increased taxation.
  • Rice was exported from Odisha despite local shortages, reflecting administrative apathy toward food security.
  • Local elites, aligned with colonial authorities, profited by hoarding grain and inflating prices.

(b) Heavy Dependence of Agriculture on Forces of Nature

  • Agriculture was entirely reliant on monsoons due to lack of irrigation infrastructure.
  • Rainfall failed prematurely in 1865, leading to crop failure and acute scarcity.
  • Poor connectivity and seasonal isolation delayed relief efforts, worsening food shortages.
  • The absence of anticipatory planning made the administration unprepared for the crisis.

Consequences

  • Widespread mortality due to starvation and related diseases.
  • Exposure of systemic failures in colonial governance and disaster response.
  • Initiation of later reforms like famine codes and canal development to mitigate future disasters.
  • Strengthened the argument for administrative accountability and agrarian reform in India.

In conclusion, the Odisha Famine of 1866 was a grim consequence of policy neglect and environmental fragility, emphasizing the critical need for empathetic governance and resilient agrarian systems.

Read: OPSC Notes