Bengal Famine (1943): A Manmade Catastrophe

In 1943, Bengal suffered one of the worst famines in the history of Modern India. 3 million people died of starvation & disease aggravated by malnutrition and lack of healthcare. It was a manmade calamity thanks to the war-time policies of the colonial British in India.

Britain, under Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was caught up in World War II and was focused on feeding its army. Food grains from India were diverted to feed British troops, leading to crippling shortages in India. Churchill couldn’t have cared less.

Further, wartime inflation, speculative buying, panic hoarding and preferential distribution made matters worse for the starving millions in India.

The transportation of rice took a blow as the British ordered the destruction of rural boats in anticipation of a Japanese invasion via the Eastern Bengal border. Then, In March 1942, the occupation of Rangoon by Japan cut off the import of Burmese rice into India.

Next, a severe cyclonic storm in October 1942 destroyed croplands in India. Fungal spores dispersed across the region, resulting in the spread of crop disease.

Churchill was severely criticised for his handling of the catastrophe. He was so callous that he said: "If food is so scarce, why hasn't Gandhi died yet?"

The famine destroyed the social fabric of Bengal and its impact was felt for decades. Families were torn apart, many sold their small holdings, and millions of homeless migrants headed to cities in search of relief and work.

The Bengal famine is remembered as one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the British Empire in India.

If you enjoyed this article, you will love LHI Circle - your Digital Gateway to the Best of India's history and heritage. You can enjoy our virtual tours to the must-see sites across India, meet leading historians and best-selling authors, and enjoy tours of the top museums across the world. Join LHI Circle here