INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

OF PAST F4.MINES.
as
I am aware that this is not a logical ground
for accepting the figures, but at present I am
unable to settle the question. There was one instance,
however-viz., the Bulundshur district,
in the central tract of the famine-where the
famine statistics were entered into minutely.·
The deaths are there given at 3! per cent of
the population, which exceeded the popular
estimate-while the emigration amounted to
nearly 7 per cent. This, together with some
other official information, induces me to think
that the mortality has been over-estimated.
In analysing columns 7, 9, and 10, we have
two antagonistic principles to deal with. One
is, that as years roll on and experience of the
wants of the country is gained, an enlightened
Government should provide preventive measures
in such a manner that a minimum and
ever-decreasing amount of relief in a dry season
should be required; while the conflicting
principle demands that. as years roll on, we
should have a maximum and ever-increasing
amount of direct relief given by a paternal
Government and by a sympathising public.
* See Colonel Baird Smith's Report.