Why Were Famine Commissions Set Up in British India?
The Famine Commissions during British Rule in India were official committees appointed by the British government to investigate the causes of recurring famines and suggest preventive measures. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, India experienced several devastating famines that led to millions of deaths. These commissions played a significant role in shaping colonial famine policy, relief measures, and administrative reforms. Understanding the Famine Commissions is important for students preparing for competitive examinations, as it highlights the economic policies, administrative responses, and social impact of British rule in India.
Background of Famines in British India
Famines were not new to India, but their frequency and intensity increased during British rule. Factors such as heavy land revenue demands, commercialization of agriculture, lack of irrigation facilities, and export-oriented policies worsened the situation. Poor monsoons and crop failures often resulted in widespread starvation.
- High land revenue collection irrespective of crop conditions
- Dependence on monsoon for agriculture
- Limited irrigation and transport facilities in early periods
- Export of food grains during shortages
- Neglect of rural welfare and poverty alleviation
These repeated famines compelled the British government to appoint commissions to examine the causes and recommend solutions.
Major Famine Commissions During British Rule
| Year | Commission | Key Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| 1866 | Campbell Commission | Improved relief measures and transport facilities |
| 1878 | Strachey Commission | Formulation of Famine Code and relief policies |
| 1898 | Lyall Commission | Revision of Famine Code and emphasis on irrigation |
These commissions laid the foundation for structured famine relief policies in British India, though their effectiveness remained debated.
First Famine Commission - Campbell Commission 1866
The Campbell Commission was appointed after the Orissa Famine of 1866, which caused massive loss of life. The commission investigated administrative failures and suggested reforms.
Key Features
- Recommended better transport and communication systems
- Suggested timely import of food grains
- Emphasized government responsibility in providing relief
This commission highlighted the need for a more organized famine relief mechanism.
Second Famine Commission - Strachey Commission 1878
The Strachey Commission was formed after the Great Famine of 1876 to 1878, which affected large parts of southern and western India. This commission had a lasting impact on famine policy.
Major Recommendations
- Introduction of the Famine Code
- Establishment of relief works such as road and canal construction
- Creation of a Famine Fund
- Classification of scarcity levels for early warning
The Famine Code became a structured guideline for provincial governments to manage famine situations.
Third Famine Commission - Lyall Commission 1898
The Lyall Commission was appointed following the severe famines of 1896 to 1897. It reviewed existing policies and suggested improvements.
Important Suggestions
- Strengthening of the Famine Code
- Expansion of irrigation projects
- Better coordination between central and provincial governments
This commission reinforced preventive measures rather than only relief-based approaches.
Impact of Famine Commissions
The Famine Commissions led to the creation of formal famine relief policies and administrative guidelines. However, critics argue that British economic policies continued to contribute to rural distress despite these reforms.
- Development of Famine Codes in provinces
- Institutionalization of relief works and food distribution
- Improvement in irrigation and transport infrastructure
- Recognition of state responsibility during crises
Despite these measures, many famines continued until the early 20th century, reflecting the limitations of colonial governance.
Criticism of British Famine Policy
Indian nationalists strongly criticized British famine policies. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Romesh Chunder Dutt argued that economic exploitation and drain of wealth were major causes of recurring famines.
- Excessive taxation during crop failures
- Export of grains during famine years
- Inadequate relief wages
- Neglect of indigenous welfare systems
These criticisms contributed to the growth of economic nationalism in India.
Importance for Competitive Exams
Questions about Famine Commissions are frequently asked in UPSC, SSC, State PCS, and other competitive examinations. Students should focus on the years, chairpersons, and key recommendations of each commission.
- Remember the sequence - 1866, 1878, 1898
- Associate each commission with the famine that led to its formation
- Focus on the introduction and significance of the Famine Code
- Understand the criticism from Indian nationalists
A clear understanding of the Famine Commissions helps in analyzing colonial economic policies and their long term impact on Indian society.
Conclusion
The Famine Commissions during British Rule in India were significant administrative efforts to address recurring famines. While they introduced structured relief systems and preventive measures such as the Famine Code and irrigation expansion, their impact was limited by broader colonial economic policies. Studying these commissions provides valuable insight into British governance, economic exploitation, and the rise of nationalist criticism in India.
FAQs on Famine Commissions in British India: History, Reports and Reforms
1. What were the Famine Commissions during British Rule in India?
The Famine Commissions were official bodies set up by the British Government in India to investigate the causes of famines and recommend preventive measures.
• Established after severe famines like the Great Famine of 1876–78
• Studied food shortages, revenue policies, and relief measures
• Suggested creation of Famine Codes and relief works
• Aimed to reduce mortality and prevent future famines
These commissions are important in understanding colonial economic policies, famine relief, and British administration in India.
2. How many Famine Commissions were appointed during British India?
There were three major Famine Commissions appointed during British Rule in India.
• First Famine Commission (1880) – Chaired by Sir Richard Strachey
• Second Famine Commission (1898) – Under Sir James Lyall
• Third Famine Commission (1901) – Focused on revising famine policies
These commissions shaped the development of famine relief policies, food security systems, and administrative reforms in colonial India.
3. Why was the First Famine Commission of 1880 appointed?
The First Famine Commission (1880) was appointed after the devastating Great Famine of 1876–78 to investigate its causes and suggest reforms.
• Examined failure of monsoons and crop production
• Criticized rigid land revenue policies
• Recommended establishment of Famine Codes
• Suggested relief works like road and canal construction
This commission marked a turning point in colonial famine administration and disaster management policies.
4. What were the main recommendations of the Famine Commissions?
The main recommendations of the Famine Commissions focused on prevention, relief, and administrative reform.
• Introduction of Famine Codes in provinces
• Creation of relief camps and employment schemes
• Development of irrigation projects
• Establishment of food grain storage and transport systems
These measures aimed to reduce famine deaths and improve food distribution, public works, and rural welfare in British India.
5. What were Famine Codes in British India?
The Famine Codes were official guidelines created to manage and prevent famines in colonial India.
• Defined stages of famine (scarcity, distress, famine)
• Laid rules for starting relief works
• Fixed wages for laborers in relief camps
• Ensured government responsibility in crisis situations
They became an important tool in famine relief administration and disaster response policy during British rule.
6. What were the major causes of famines during British Rule in India?
Famines during British Rule in India were caused by both natural and administrative factors.
• Failure of monsoon rains
• Heavy land revenue demands
• Export of food grains to Britain
• Poor transportation and storage facilities
• Neglect of irrigation development
Historians often link these famines to colonial economic policies, exploitation, and agrarian distress.
7. How did the Famine Commissions impact British policies in India?
The Famine Commissions influenced changes in British administrative and economic policies in India.
• Improved relief operations and monitoring systems
• Encouraged investment in irrigation canals
• Standardized famine response procedures
• Increased government accountability during crises
Although reforms were introduced, criticism remained regarding the effectiveness of colonial famine management.
8. What was the role of Sir Richard Strachey in the Famine Commission?
Sir Richard Strachey was the chairman of the First Famine Commission (1880).
• Investigated causes of the 1876–78 famine
• Recommended creation of Famine Codes
• Suggested development of irrigation and railways
• Emphasized state responsibility in famine relief
His work laid the foundation for structured famine policy and colonial disaster administration in India.
9. Why are the Famine Commissions important for competitive exams?
The Famine Commissions during British Rule in India are important for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSC.
• Frequently asked in Modern Indian History sections
• Linked to topics like colonial economy and agrarian policies
• Important for understanding British administrative reforms
• Connected with questions on major famines and economic drain theory
They form a key part of General Knowledge (GK) and Indian History syllabus.
10. Did the Famine Commissions successfully prevent future famines?
The Famine Commissions improved relief systems but did not completely prevent future famines.
• Reduced administrative delays in relief work
• Introduced structured famine response mechanisms
• However, economic exploitation and poverty continued
• Severe famines still occurred, including the Bengal Famine of 1943
Thus, while reforms helped, broader issues of colonial governance, food security, and economic inequality remained unresolved.
