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Dearth, Famine, and Risk: The Changing Impact of Crop Failures in Western India, 1870–1920

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  • McAlpin, Michelle Burge

Abstract

This article asks: why were crop failures (dearths) so frequent in western India between 1870 and 1920, and why did dearth decreasingly result in famine, that is, in severe elevation of mortality and in major disruptions of the agricultural sector. It is concluded that deficient rainfall caused the crop failures and that after 1900 increasedtrade in agricultural products and increased demand for labor, coupled with increased credit and relief services from government, significantly reduced the probability that a crop failure could result in widespread famine.

Suggested Citation

  • McAlpin, Michelle Burge, 1979. "Dearth, Famine, and Risk: The Changing Impact of Crop Failures in Western India, 1870–1920," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 39(1), pages 143-157, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:39:y:1979:i:01:p:143-157_09
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrabi, Tahir & Kuehlwein, Michael, 2010. "Railways and Price Convergence in British India," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 70(2), pages 351-377, June.
    2. Calixto Salomão Filho, 2015. "Monopolies and Underdevelopment," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 16587.
    3. Mabbs-Zeno, Carl C., 1987. "Long-Term Impacts Of Famine: Enduring Disasters And Opportunities For Progress," Staff Reports 277934, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    4. Collins, William J., 1999. "Labor Mobility, Market Integration, and Wage Convergence in Late 19th Century India," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 246-277, July.
    5. Bassino, Jean-Pascal & van der Eng, Pierre, 2019. "Japan and the Asian Divergence: Market Integration, Climate Anomalies and Famines during the 18th and 19th Centuries," CEI Working Paper Series 2018-18, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    6. Tirthankar Roy, 2008. "State, society and market in the aftermath of natural disasters in colonial India," The Indian Economic & Social History Review, , vol. 45(2), pages 261-294, June.

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