Famine and far-reaching consequences

At several points in the British rule, parts of India experienced severe famines. It was during the years 1876 and 1878 that famines had a serious effect on the Princely Mysore state. Many reasons are attributed to this calamity, including a drastic decline in rainfall in the three preceding years.

. Two years prior to the famine, in 1874, the eastern districts, Kolar and Bangalore received an excess of rain. This resulted in the destruction of the ragi crop. The following year, there was only scanty rainfall, leading to severe drought-like conditions. By the end of 1875, a majority of the tanks in the princely state had dried up.

. Yet, the famine resulted in the death of nearly 8,74,000 people, according to the Census of Mysore, 1881. A large percentage of livestock also perished due to scarcity of fodder and water.

.Winter homes for winged species. To tackle the famine, the administration utilised all its machinery. It opened famine relief kitchens and gruel centres to provide food for people. In Bangalore, there were more than 10 such centres, especially in the eastern part. A large number of people from famine-affected regions migrated to big towns, especially Bangalore, in search of food and work. People also migrated to the Malnad region in the hope of getting jobs, particularly in plantations.

. The government imported grains in large quantities from the neighbouring Madras Presidency. Famine relief kitchens in Bangalore and nearby localities began to swell with people. In Tumkur district too, conditions were serious. Standing crops like ragi withered away.

. Committees were constituted at the district level to tackle the issue too. In Bangalore, a central committee was constituted to work as a nodal centre and coordinate with the committee at the district and taluk levels. In one of its meetings, the central committee decided to raise funds, both in money and kind. This contribution was used to establish common kitchens to cook food for distribution.

. In October 1877, Rs 1,000 each was sanctioned to carry out famine relief activities in Kolar, Tumkur and Bangalore districts. Earlier that year, in February, Richard Temple, a British officer, was deputed exclusively to deal with famine relief in the Mysore state. His visit was aimed at taking stock of famine relief measures. The documentation of his visit also provides us with statistical details of the situation of the time.

. Temple met the Commissioner and held meetings with officials of revenue and public works departments. The loss of crops in several districts and the deaths caused by the famine were also discussed in these meetings.

. In the meantime, the director general of the railways, authorised excavation work for the Bangalore-Mysore railway track. This was part of the famine relief strategy. To supplement this, the Government of India sanctioned a loan of Rs 50 lakh to the Government of Mysore.

. Consequences

. There was a general decline in population. The state also incurred a debt of Rs 80 lakh. The famine severely slowed down agricultural activities and production. During 1876-1878, the total loss of livestock was put at 5.6 lakh. This had an impact on the generation of revenue In 1876, the revenue stood at Rs 82 lakh, and by the next fiscal year, it decreased to Rs 69 lakh.

. When everything was settled, it was estimated that nearly 12 lakh people had perished in the devastating famine. C Rungacharlu, the Dewan of Mysore in his speech at the Mysore Representative Assembly on October 7, 1881, said that the famine has “adversely affected the population and crippled its resources for years to come”.

.Water famine in Bengaluru?. The famine resulted in the large-scale displacement of people from rural areas. It had effects on the food habits of people. After the famine, the government of the Maharaja of Mysore encouraged the cultivation of dry crops like ragi and other millets, as they could withstand harsh conditions and grow with little water. It took nearly two decades for Princely Mysore to overcome the resultant economic hardship.

Famine and far-reaching consequences

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