General Studies 2022 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q3

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century ? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

औपनिवेशिक भारत की अठारहवीं शताब्दी के मध्य से क्यों अकाल पड़ने में अचानक वृद्धि देखने को मिलती है ? कारण बताएं। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दें)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' requires causal analysis of why famines intensified post-mid-18th century. Structure: brief context on pre-colonial famine patterns → body addressing economic, administrative and ecological factors → concluding with the shift from subsistence crises to market-induced famines.

Key points expected

Commercialization of agriculture and shift from food crops to cash crops (indigo, opium, cotton) reducing food availability
Colonial land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari) causing peasant indebtedness and land alienation
Disruption of traditional irrigation systems and neglect of famine relief infrastructure by British administration
Integration of Indian economy into global markets making food prices volatile and subject to speculation
Railway and transport policies prioritizing raw material export over food grain movement to famine-affected areas
Malthusian-inspired official attitudes blaming famine on overpopulation rather than policy failures (Lytton era)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly identifies 'sudden spurt' as distinct from pre-colonial famines; addresses 'why' through multiple interconnected causal layers rather than listing isolated factors	Mentions colonial causes but treats famines as continuous phenomenon; superficial causal links without distinguishing mid-18th century turning point	Describes famines without explaining causes; confuses pre-colonial and colonial famine patterns or ignores the temporal specificity
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately links specific revenue systems, crop shifts and market integration; distinguishes between different famine types (subsistence vs. market-induced)	Mentions land revenue and cash crops but with generic statements; minor inaccuracies in dating policies or conflating different settlements	Factually incorrect about revenue systems; attributes famines solely to natural causes or British malevolence without structural analysis
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression from economic transformation → administrative failure → ecological vulnerability; smooth transitions between factors showing interconnection	Covers main points but jumps between causes without clear organizing principle; some repetition or disjointed paragraphs	Random listing of points; no discernible structure; exceeds or falls significantly short of word limit affecting coherence
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific famines cited (Bengal 1770, Orissa 1866, Deccan 1876-78) with approximate dates; mentions Famine Codes 1880/1897 or specific viceroys (Lytton, Curzon)	Generic reference to 'Bengal famine' without specificity; mentions cash crops without naming them; no precise dates or policies	No concrete examples; vague references to 'many famines'; incorrect attribution of policies to wrong periods
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Synthesizes that colonial famines were 'man-made' resulting from extractive economic integration; contrasts with pre-colonial community-based relief or briefly notes post-independence prevention	Brief summary of points without synthesis; generic statement about British neglect without analytical distinction	No conclusion; abrupt ending; or moralistic condemnation without analytical insight; introduces new unrelated information

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