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Agricultural Fluctuations and Demographic Crisis in British India (1820–1870): A Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Panchanan Das

    (University of Calcutta)

  • Amiya Kumar Bagchi

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This paper relates mortality crises in India to harvest fluctuations. It is difficult to quantify the intensity of famines accurately during the period 1820–1870 because of the lack of relevant data. The contribution of the paper is to relate demographic crises to harvest fluctuations in two macro-regions of India and to do it by using data from an early period of British rule. In the process, it also tackles certain revisionist views that have been forwarded in recent times.

Suggested Citation

  • Panchanan Das & Amiya Kumar Bagchi, 2018. "Agricultural Fluctuations and Demographic Crisis in British India (1820–1870): A Case Study," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 16(3), pages 841-851, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jqecon:v:16:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s40953-017-0112-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s40953-017-0112-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Studer, Roman, 2008. "India and the Great Divergence: Assessing the Efficiency of Grain Markets in Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century India," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 68(2), pages 393-437, June.
    2. O Grada, Cormac, 1995. "Ireland: A New Economic History 1780-1939," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198205982.
    3. Bipan Chandra, 1968. "Reinterpretation of Nineteenth Century Indian Economic History," The Indian Economic & Social History Review, , vol. 5(1), pages 35-75, March.
    4. Sumit Guha, 1991. "Mortality decline in early twentieth century India: A preliminary enquiry," The Indian Economic & Social History Review, , vol. 28(4), pages 371-391, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Demographic Crisis; Land Tenure; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C35 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions
    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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