DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24890#0026
( 18 )
The following statement compares the prices current on the
1st October for the chief food grains ordinarily consumed
with the normal prices, as stated in Appendix A of the Famine
Code:—
Seers per Rupee.
Wheat.
Barley.
Gram.
Rice
(common).
Juar.
Maize.
ArTiar.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Normal ... ...
14 12
19
9
20 12
12 2
20
2
20 14
15 9
1st October 1896
8 13
11
1
10 14
8 14
12
0
13 2
10 13
The immediate effect of this great increase of the prices
of food grain was to drive the poorer classes to eke out their
diet by such wild produce as they could gather in the fallow
and waste lands. Cultivators at this stage had still some reserve
from the last crops which they economized by restricting their
rations. They still further husbanded their resources by doing,
with the help of their own families, a larger share than usual
of whatever field labour there was to be done. This again had
the effect of further limiting the employment available for
day-labourers, who suffered already from the conditions which
restricted ploughing and sowing—a limitation which would
have been even more serious but for the work afforded by the
unusual spread of artificial irrigation, to which reference
will presently be made. A feeling of apprehension and
unrest became perceptible, first in those tracts which had
already passed through one season of distress, and then
spreading to fresh regions as prospects grew more gloomy.
It showed itself in various characteristic ways. The public
works which were still open began to attract more labourers
and the poorhouses more inmates. In both cases the new
admissions included persons in reduced condition. Private
charity contracted, and beggars became numerous in the towns
and bazdrs. The traditions of the Indian people had made
migration the only effective remedy in time of famine.
The practice had its origin in the circumstance that no
previous Government of the country ever attempted on
a systematized and large scale to provide food for famish-
ing people and that, from the imperfection of communi-
cations, the task would have been almost hopeless if
attempted. But though the conditions have changed the
instinct survives, and one of the first symptoms of impend-
ing famine is an impulse to wander, whereof indications were
now observed. The movement was not serious—it soon ceased;
but it was significant. At this stage parties of people from
the adjoining Native States were observed passing through
British Bundelkhand in search of employment or charity.
Some made their way as far as Northern Oudh. This immi-
gration was later on to assume very considerable proportions.
The following statement compares the prices current on the
1st October for the chief food grains ordinarily consumed
with the normal prices, as stated in Appendix A of the Famine
Code:—
Seers per Rupee.
Wheat.
Barley.
Gram.
Rice
(common).
Juar.
Maize.
ArTiar.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Srs. c.
Normal ... ...
14 12
19
9
20 12
12 2
20
2
20 14
15 9
1st October 1896
8 13
11
1
10 14
8 14
12
0
13 2
10 13
The immediate effect of this great increase of the prices
of food grain was to drive the poorer classes to eke out their
diet by such wild produce as they could gather in the fallow
and waste lands. Cultivators at this stage had still some reserve
from the last crops which they economized by restricting their
rations. They still further husbanded their resources by doing,
with the help of their own families, a larger share than usual
of whatever field labour there was to be done. This again had
the effect of further limiting the employment available for
day-labourers, who suffered already from the conditions which
restricted ploughing and sowing—a limitation which would
have been even more serious but for the work afforded by the
unusual spread of artificial irrigation, to which reference
will presently be made. A feeling of apprehension and
unrest became perceptible, first in those tracts which had
already passed through one season of distress, and then
spreading to fresh regions as prospects grew more gloomy.
It showed itself in various characteristic ways. The public
works which were still open began to attract more labourers
and the poorhouses more inmates. In both cases the new
admissions included persons in reduced condition. Private
charity contracted, and beggars became numerous in the towns
and bazdrs. The traditions of the Indian people had made
migration the only effective remedy in time of famine.
The practice had its origin in the circumstance that no
previous Government of the country ever attempted on
a systematized and large scale to provide food for famish-
ing people and that, from the imperfection of communi-
cations, the task would have been almost hopeless if
attempted. But though the conditions have changed the
instinct survives, and one of the first symptoms of impend-
ing famine is an impulse to wander, whereof indications were
now observed. The movement was not serious—it soon ceased;
but it was significant. At this stage parties of people from
the adjoining Native States were observed passing through
British Bundelkhand in search of employment or charity.
Some made their way as far as Northern Oudh. This immi-
gration was later on to assume very considerable proportions.