Orissa Famine of 1872

The Orissa Famine of 1872 was a devastating episode of food scarcity and mortality that occurred in the eastern province of Orissa (now Odisha) during the latter half of the 19th century. It was part of a series of recurrent famines that afflicted British India, exposing the vulnerability of colonial economic policies, inadequate relief measures, and the fragile agrarian system of the time. Although not as severe as the catastrophic famine of 1866 (Na Anka Durbhikshya), the 1872 famine reflected the continuing instability of food supply and the consequences of environmental and administrative failures.

Historical Background

Orissa (then part of the Bengal Presidency) had suffered a massive famine in 1866, which resulted in the death of nearly one-third of its population. The calamity was attributed to monsoon failure, poor transportation, and colonial neglect. The British administration, heavily criticised for its mishandling of that disaster, pledged to prevent similar occurrences in the future through improved infrastructure and famine relief systems.
However, less than a decade later, in 1872, certain regions of Orissa once again faced severe food shortages. Though not as widespread or intense as the earlier famine, it revealed the persistent structural weaknesses in the colonial agrarian economy and governance.

Causes of the Famine

The Orissa famine of 1872 was the result of a combination of natural and human factors, including climatic irregularities and administrative inefficiencies.

1. Failure of Monsoon: Irregular and deficient rainfall led to a poor harvest of rice, the staple crop of the region. The agrarian economy, heavily dependent on monsoon rains, had little resilience against drought.
2. Limited Irrigation Facilities: At the time, irrigation infrastructure in Orissa was rudimentary. Lack of canals, reservoirs, and water management systems made agriculture extremely vulnerable to dry spells.
3. Colonial Economic Policies: The emphasis on land revenue collection and the export-oriented nature of colonial trade drained local resources. Even in times of scarcity, grain continued to be transported to other provinces and ports, reducing local availability.
4. Poor Transportation and Communication: Despite promises of improvement after the 1866 famine, railway and road networks remained inadequate in Orissa. This hindered the import of food grains from surplus areas, isolating famine-stricken districts.
5. Neglect in Early Relief Measures: Initial official responses were slow and bureaucratic. Though relief efforts were eventually organised, they often reached affected areas too late to prevent starvation.
6. Poverty and Debt: The rural population, already impoverished due to repeated crop failures and high revenue demands, lacked purchasing power. Even when food was available in nearby markets, many could not afford it.

Extent and Impact

The famine of 1872 was not as extensive as that of 1866, but its impact was still severe in several districts, particularly Cuttack, Puri, and Balasore.
Major consequences included:

• Crop Failure: Large areas of paddy fields dried up due to insufficient rain.
• Starvation and Migration: Thousands of rural families were forced to migrate in search of food and employment.
• Epidemics: Malnutrition and unhygienic conditions led to outbreaks of cholera and smallpox, increasing mortality rates.
• Livestock Loss: Shortage of fodder and water caused widespread death of cattle, further weakening the agrarian economy.
• Economic Decline: Agricultural distress reduced local trade, while artisans and labourers dependent on rural markets also suffered loss of livelihood.

British Relief Policy and Response

The British government, having faced harsh criticism for the famine mismanagement of 1866, attempted to apply new principles in 1872. Some of these measures reflected the influence of the Famine Commission of 1867, which had recommended systematic relief policies.
Key features of the response included:

1. Famine Codes and Early Warning Systems: Efforts were made to monitor rainfall and crop conditions more closely to anticipate distress.
2. Relief Works: Public works, such as road and canal construction, were introduced as a means of providing employment and wages to the famine-affected population.
3. Grain Import and Distribution: The administration facilitated grain imports from neighbouring provinces, though logistical delays reduced their effectiveness.
4. Charitable Relief and Food Camps: Some temporary relief camps and charitable kitchens were opened to distribute food to the destitute.

Despite these measures, the response was often inconsistent and insufficient, particularly in remote and rural areas. Relief works did not always reach the poorest, and corruption and inefficiency in administration hampered their implementation.

Mortality and Human Suffering

While the exact death toll of the 1872 famine in Orissa is uncertain, it is estimated that tens of thousands of people perished due to starvation and disease. Compared to the 1866 famine, which killed over one million people, the toll was considerably lower, but the suffering remained significant.
The recurring famines left deep psychological and demographic scars on the region, reducing population growth, increasing indebtedness, and perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Aftermath and Lessons

The recurrence of famine within a decade of the 1866 disaster underscored the failure of structural reforms in the colonial administration. It reinforced the view that famine in India was not merely a result of natural calamities but also of systemic economic and policy failures.
Key lessons and developments following the famine included:

• Expansion of irrigation projects in selected regions, though unevenly implemented.
• Gradual development of railway connectivity in the eastern provinces to facilitate trade and relief transport.
• Strengthening of famine administration through more formalised Famine Codes at the provincial level.
• Recognition of the importance of local food security and need for buffer stocks, though this remained largely on paper until later reforms.

The Orissa famine of 1872 thus served as a warning of the fragile balance between environment, economy, and administration under colonial rule.

Significance in Indian History

The 1872 famine occupies an important place in the broader history of India’s colonial famines. It illustrated:

• The continuing vulnerability of Orissa’s agrarian society under British governance.
• The limited effectiveness of colonial famine policies, despite theoretical improvements.
• The injustice of economic priorities, as revenue collection and trade were prioritised over humanitarian concerns.