1. Introduction
The Famine of 1866 was a watershed event in the history of Odisha. It is locally known as the Na-Anka Famine because it occurred during the ninth regnal year of the Gajapati King, Divyasinghadeva . It was one of the worst calamities in world history, resulting in the death of approximately one-third of the total population of Odisha .
2. Causes of the Famine
The outbreak was not solely due to natural causes but was a result of administrative apathy and economic mismanagement.
A. Natural Causes
- Rainfall Failure: The immediate trigger was the cease of rainfall in 1865. The monsoon ended early in September, and there was no rain during October-November, leading to the total destruction of crops .
B. Administrative Negligence
- Lack of Irrigation: Despite occupying Odisha much earlier, the British government had not developed irrigation facilities by 1866, leaving farmers completely dependent on monsoons .
- Communication Gap: There was no concrete road between Odisha and Calcutta. Unbridged rivers made Odisha inaccessible during the rainy season, preventing the import of food grains when the crisis hit .
- Official Ignorance: British officers failed to visit remote villages. T.E. Ravenshaw, the Commissioner of Odisha, remained ignorant of the wretched condition of the people .
C. Economic Factors
- Reckless Export: There was an alarming shortage of food grains due to exports. In 1865, wealthy Telingah Koomtees of Madras purchased 33,000 tons of rice from Odisha for export, exhausting the surplus of 1864 .
- Revenue Settlement Issues: The 30-years revenue settlement was set to expire in 1866. Fearing tax hikes, cultivators deliberately reduced the area under cultivation from 1864 to show less possession of land. This severely reduced production leading up to the famine .
- Artificial Scarcity: Rice merchants and traders hoarded rice, creating artificial scarcity and driving prices up. The government failed to regulate trade or fix reasonable prices .
3. The Course of the Famine
The crisis began in October 1865. While local officers like Muspratt (Collector of Balasore) and G.N. Barlow (Collector of Puri) sent warnings, higher authorities ignored them .
- Ravenshaw’s Failure: Initially, Commissioner T.E. Ravenshaw reported to the Bengal government that there was sufficient food, delaying relief measures . He only realized the gravity of the situation in March 1866 when a hungry mob surrounded him in Balasore .
- Sir Cecil Beadon’s Visit: The Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Sir Cecil Beadon, visited Cuttack in February 1866 but failed to visualize the true situation, merely advising Zamindars to help the poor .
4. Relief Measures
Government action was delayed and only geared up between July and October 1866 .
- Famine Relief Fund: Created to manage funds and distribution.
- Food for Work: The East India Irrigation Company and Public Works Department paid wages in grain .
- Social Welfare: Orphanages were established; cash was granted for house repairs; and Christian missionaries provided significant service to the destitute .
5. Consequences and Enquiry
- Mortality: The government estimated the death toll at 1,000,000 (one million) people .
- Campbell Commission: In December 1866, an enquiry commission led by George Campbell was formed. Its report (April 1867) held the administrative authorities and individual officers responsible for the catastrophe .
6. Significance: A Blessing in Disguise?
Historians often term the aftermath of the famine as a blessing in disguise because it ended the era of British apathy and triggered the modernization of Odisha .
- Administrative Reform: The government adopted a more sympathetic attitude. Based on the Famine Commission's report, a uniform Famine Relief Policy was framed for India .
- Education Expansion: Post-famine, T.E. Ravenshaw promoted education. This led to the elevation of Cuttack Zilla School into Ravenshaw College and the establishment of medical and training schools .
- Infrastructure Development: Steps were taken to improve the embankments (Banki and Aul) and transport systems, including the development of railway lines connecting Bengal to the South via Odisha .
7. Conclusion
The Na-Anka Famine was a tragedy born of natural calamity compounded by colonial neglect. However, it served as a turning point that forced the British to integrate Odisha into the mainstream administration, laying the foundation for Modern Odisha .
