INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

HISTORlrJ.A.L FAMINES. 21
voured by those who found them. Cities were
depopulated by the death and emigration of the
inhabitants. No such famine has been recorded
in history. The Emperor (Shah Jehan) ordered
distribution of provisions to be made in the
cities and towns, especially at Burhanpore.
Khandesh and Balaghat, with many other districts,
were quite depopulated. Sultanpoor remained
waste for forty years." The foregoing
account refers especially to that part of India
known as the Deccan; but the famine was by
no means confined to that province--in fact, it
is noted in some accounts, that not only did it
prevail throughout all India, but that it also
extended over the whole of Asia I have been
unable to trace this assertion, as regards the
vast area covered by the famine, to its source.
It is an important point, and is unique in the
annals of famines. It is contrary to all general
experience; and, as is noted elsewhere in these
pages, famine sP.!dom, if ever, visits a large tract
even of India during one and the same year.
Girdlestone, in describing the famine, mentions
the fact of its having" afflicted not only India
but almost the whole of Asia;" and adds, that of