Ecology, Gender and Social Crises: North Bengal in 1896–1897 Famine

Abstract

The present article deals with the ecology and social aspects of famine of 1896–1897 in north Bengal. Ecological issues were no less important to convert the drought or scarcities into famines, even though the human agencies played a crucial role towards the intensification of the famines in colonial India. Famines had provided a major blow to the social ecology of dependency and survival, which were critically manifested through the transformation of existing social norms and cultural values, especially for the women. The responses of women towards the emerging social crises and to the government relief operations were mixed with hesitancy and desperateness, which was further influenced by changing norms of feminine ‘modesty’ and ‘values’. Thus the gendering of famine is deeply rooted in the cultural response of women to the natural disasters, and north Bengal remained as a principal site of gendered response where the women attitude towards the 1896–1897 famine can be best understood.