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