INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

RECENT FAMINES.
these means of communication are now being
supplemented by the State line of railway from
the east, which is fast approaching completion.
This will carry abundance to the heart of the
province; and it is to be hoped that before a
calamity similar to that of 1868-70 befalls the
district, that this line of railway will be carriEd
on to join those of the west from Bombay,
when there will be at least one long base line
along which plenty will exist, and whence assistance
will radiate in all directions.
One peculiarity which belongs to this Rajputana
famine - is the fact that here we have
affairs managed entirely by the natives themselves.
We see the results of nature, so to speak,
and can compare them with the effects produced
by artificial means in our own provinces. The
district itself is also a singular one. I have
said that it is bounded partly by the desert;
but the fact is, that this desert also forms part
of Rajputana; and however paradoxical it may
appear, it is partially inhabited. A consequence
is, that in this instance we see the
• This peculiarity is not applicable to Ajmere, which is
British territory-see page 71.