Malthusian Population Theory and Indian Famine Policy in the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

Summary Given the fact that almost all members of the Indian civil service in the nineteenth century were trained in Britain and consequently liable to be influenced by views prevailing there, this paper examines the role of Malthusian population theory in forming the principles behind British famine policy in India. The conclusion is that not only did Malthusian population theory provide the intellectual basis for the Indian administration’s long-run perspective about Indian famines, but also buttressed its largely negative approach to famine relief in the short run.

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