Indian famine of 1896–1897

Indian famine of 1896–1897
Indian famine of 1896–1897
Country	India, the princely states of Rajputana, Central India Agency, and Hyderabad
Location	United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Berar, Central Provinces, parts of Madras Presidency and princely states of central and southern India
Period	1896–1897
Deaths from disease	Contemporary observers reported cholera and malaria epidemics accounting for additional mortality
Total deaths	3–5 million (famine and disease combined)
Causes	drought, failure of the southwest monsoon; colonial economic policy (grain export, taxation)
Net food imports	Significant imports from Burma reported
Effect on demographics	Population decline in affected districts by up to 10%
Consequences	Intensified debate on famine codes; major criticism of colonial relief policy
Preceded by	Orissa famine of 1866
Succeeded by	Indian famine of 1899–1900

The Indian famine of 1896–1897 was a famine that began in Bundelkhand, India, early in 1896 and spread to many parts of the country, including the United Provinces, the Central Provinces and Berar, Bihar, parts of the Bombay and Madras presidencies, and parts of the Punjab; in addition, the princely states of Rajputana, Central India Agency and Hyderabad were affected. During the two years, the famine affected an area of 307,000 square miles (800,000 km²) and a population of 69.5 million. Although some relief was offered throughout the famine-stricken regions in accordance with the Provisional Famine Code of 1883, the mortality, both from starvation and accompanying epidemics, was very high. Contemporary colonial estimates placed the death toll at around one million, but later demographic research suggests that between 4.5 and 5 million people may have died as a result of famine and disease. Historians have linked the severity of the famine not only to rainfall failure but also to colonial economic policies, particularly grain export practices and restrictions on relief under the prevailing famine codes.