DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24890#0048
( 39 )
towns, and the cost was largely met from private subscriptions
and the Indian Famine Fund, assisted by liberal State sub-
ventions. But the agency of distribution was under official
control.
In several cities arrangements were made to find
work at their own trades for artizans, chiefly weavers, whom
the prevailing distress had deprived of employment. In
Benares in particular, which contains a large community of
impoverished weavers, numbers were thus enabled to carry on
their ordinary occupation.
Gratuitous Beliee.
In the ways enumerated above, employment was-
provided for all who required relief and were able to work.
But beyond these is a great multitude of persons who are
unfit for labour and accustomed to rely on others for their
subsistence. Such persons do not comprise merely the ordi-
nary mendicants who trust to the charity of the public,
but also the helpless members of families who in all coun-
tries are a burden on their natural protectors. What may
be called domestic charity is very far-reaching in India:
it requires that those of all classes who have means should
support or assist their distant relations, connections, and even
caste brethren, who in Western countries would be left to
State relief. This social piety is in fact the Indian substi-
tute for the poor law of England.
For the members of these classes who were unfit for
work it became necessary to provide gratuitous relief. As
distress intensified and the resources of the people became
exhausted, the efficiency of private and domestic charity was
weakened. The poor were less and less able to support their
poor dependants, and State intervention became necessary.
Gratuitous relief was provided in different forms. One has
been already described—the grant of free doles to the depend-
ants of labourers on relief works. The rest may be divided
under the two heads of the poorhouse and the distribution of
outdoor or home relief.
Poorhouses were established at all district and sub-
divisional headquarters in famine districts and in suitable
centres in the districts which were less distressed. They were
open to all who were willing to submit to the test of
residence and the necessary discipline. Except in the few
cases where a suitable structure was already available, the
buildings were of a temporary character, constructed on
certain uniform principles to secure the health, safety and
comfort of the inmates. Arrangements were made for
cooking, sanitation and conservancy. Hospital accommodation
and medical aid were provided, and clothes or blankets were
supplied to those who required them, either at State expense
or at the cost of the Indian Famine Fund. Though every
towns, and the cost was largely met from private subscriptions
and the Indian Famine Fund, assisted by liberal State sub-
ventions. But the agency of distribution was under official
control.
In several cities arrangements were made to find
work at their own trades for artizans, chiefly weavers, whom
the prevailing distress had deprived of employment. In
Benares in particular, which contains a large community of
impoverished weavers, numbers were thus enabled to carry on
their ordinary occupation.
Gratuitous Beliee.
In the ways enumerated above, employment was-
provided for all who required relief and were able to work.
But beyond these is a great multitude of persons who are
unfit for labour and accustomed to rely on others for their
subsistence. Such persons do not comprise merely the ordi-
nary mendicants who trust to the charity of the public,
but also the helpless members of families who in all coun-
tries are a burden on their natural protectors. What may
be called domestic charity is very far-reaching in India:
it requires that those of all classes who have means should
support or assist their distant relations, connections, and even
caste brethren, who in Western countries would be left to
State relief. This social piety is in fact the Indian substi-
tute for the poor law of England.
For the members of these classes who were unfit for
work it became necessary to provide gratuitous relief. As
distress intensified and the resources of the people became
exhausted, the efficiency of private and domestic charity was
weakened. The poor were less and less able to support their
poor dependants, and State intervention became necessary.
Gratuitous relief was provided in different forms. One has
been already described—the grant of free doles to the depend-
ants of labourers on relief works. The rest may be divided
under the two heads of the poorhouse and the distribution of
outdoor or home relief.
Poorhouses were established at all district and sub-
divisional headquarters in famine districts and in suitable
centres in the districts which were less distressed. They were
open to all who were willing to submit to the test of
residence and the necessary discipline. Except in the few
cases where a suitable structure was already available, the
buildings were of a temporary character, constructed on
certain uniform principles to secure the health, safety and
comfort of the inmates. Arrangements were made for
cooking, sanitation and conservancy. Hospital accommodation
and medical aid were provided, and clothes or blankets were
supplied to those who required them, either at State expense
or at the cost of the Indian Famine Fund. Though every