INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

RECENT FAMINES. 75
few only reached the jungles east of Baroda.
Here difference of climate and forage killed off
large numbers, and the emigrants have been
beggared. Those who went to Radhunpore
have suffered in the same way from the
unsuitability of climate and forage. In addition
to the agriculturists, nearly all the artisans
and lower classes have left the country. The
Guzerat floods gave employment to these in the
rebuilding of the towns and villages which had
been swept away. Others who went eastward
have found employment on the public works
inaugurated by the British Government, which
have been the means of saving many. They
left to seek for countries in which grain was
cheaper than in Marwar, and they have not
only found cheaper food, but the wherewithal
to purchase it. .
"The report of 1868-69 brought down the
account of the great famine from which Marwar
was suffering to the month of May 1869. The
agricultural population, who had emigrated, were
in eager expectation that a bountiful Providence
would open the flood-gates of heaven in due
season, and bless the land with a teeming har-