INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

48 RECENT FAMINES.
Government, were beginning to subscribe handsomely,"
and that "so long as the rich zemindars
• had the means, they fed their poor neighbours,
and even went the length of selling
jewels and ornaments in order to raise money
for the purchase of food." l\fr Rose also writes
that" the aid afforded in relief by Government,
though scanty, will at all events attain the desirable
end of convincing the people that Government
was anxious to alleviate their sufferings;
and the example thus set forth has, I
know, been an inducement to hundreds to
bestir themselves on behalf of the starving
poor, who never before thought of lending
their aid in relieving the distress." In this
manner did European influence gradually
develop itself. Government undertook direct
works of relief, where the labourer could find
employment; and private individuals fostered
and developed plans ~f relief for the sick and
infirm. The subscriptions were not confined
merely to the affected districts, for we find that
Calcutta, Bombay, &c., sent very considerable
sums for charitable purposes.
• Landholders.