INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

70 'RECENT FAMINES.
effects of famine on a variety of soils. From
barren sandy wastes we gradually pass through
sparsely cultivated and inhabited lands to the
rich plains of the N orth-Western Province. A
famine in such a country has, of course, marked
features. The principal of these is that already
announced-viz., the wanderings of the inhabitants
in search of food for themselves and of
fodder for their cattle.
The administratiou and special famine reports
of the Province for the years 1868 -70 enter
minutely into this subject These were written
by Colonel Brooke, an officer who has an extensive
knowledge of Rajputana, and few are better
acquainted with the manners and customs
of the people, or with the history of the numer·
ous chiefs. I shall quote freely from his official
reports, which are written in a clear and telling
style.
The financial and mortality statement in next
chapter shows that this Rajputana famine was
one of the most costly and dire calamities that
has happened in recent times. Money was not
spared. We could of course take no direct
active measur~s in the native states themselves.