The book The Great Orissa Famine 1866 (Na’Anka Durbhikshya) is an important historical work that revisits one of the most tragic yet relatively under-documented disasters in eastern India. Edited by Anil Dhir and Ramesh Chandra Mohapatra, the volume attempts to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the catastrophic famine that devastated Odisha in the mid-nineteenth century. Through archival evidence, scholarly essays, and historical documents, the book provides a comprehensive account of the causes, consequences, and historical significance of the famine.
Historical Context
The famine of 1866, popularly known in Odisha as Na’Anka Durbhikshya, was one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of colonial India. The term “Na’Anka” refers to the ninth regnal year of the ruler of Puri, during which the famine occurred. The disaster primarily affected the coastal districts of Cuttack, Puri, and Balasore, though its impact extended to neighbouring regions as well. Contemporary estimates suggest that nearly one million people in Odisha alone died due to starvation and disease.
The book situates the famine within the larger framework of colonial governance and economic policy. It argues that while natural factors such as drought triggered the crisis, the scale of human suffering was largely the result of administrative negligence and structural weaknesses in colonial administration.
Structure and Sources
One of the strengths of the book is its reliance on primary historical material. The editors draw extensively from archival records, including government correspondence, parliamentary debates, official reports, and contemporary newspaper accounts. Many of these documents were sourced from institutions such as the Odisha State Archives, the India Office Library in London, and records from the Madras and Bengal Presidencies.
The volume itself grew out of a national seminar organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the famine. As a result, it includes essays by several historians and researchers who analyse different aspects of the catastrophe.
This multi-author approach allows the book to examine the famine from several perspectives—economic, administrative, social, and cultural.
Causes of the Famine
The book explains that the famine was not merely a natural calamity but the result of multiple interacting factors. A major cause was the failure of the monsoon in 1865, which led to a drastic reduction in agricultural production. Farmers, heavily dependent on rainfall and lacking irrigation facilities, were unable to recover from the crop failure.
However, the book emphasizes that colonial policies worsened the crisis. Large quantities of rice continued to be exported from Odisha even when local scarcity was increasing. At the same time, poor transportation and communication networks made it difficult to bring food grains from other regions. Administrative delays and bureaucratic indecision meant that relief measures arrived too late for thousands of starving people.
By examining these factors together, the book highlights how colonial economic policies weakened the resilience of rural society and made the population extremely vulnerable to famine.
Human Suffering and Social Impact
One of the most powerful aspects of the book is its vivid portrayal of the human tragedy that unfolded during the famine. Contemporary reports described villages emptied by starvation, people surviving on roots and leaves, and epidemic diseases spreading among weakened populations. Relief centres and charitable kitchens were eventually established, but they could not adequately address the scale of the crisis.
The famine also caused profound demographic and social changes. Entire communities were displaced, and many children were left orphaned. Missionaries and charitable organisations established shelters and orphanages for famine victims, leaving a lasting social imprint in several parts of Odisha.
Through such accounts, the book reminds readers that famine is not only a failure of food supply but also a collapse of social and administrative systems.
Colonial Administration and Policy Failure
A recurring theme in the book is the failure of the colonial administration to respond effectively. Officials initially underestimated the seriousness of the situation and delayed relief operations. When the government finally sanctioned the import of rice, the monsoon had already begun, making transportation extremely difficult.
The book also examines the findings of the Famine Commission that was later appointed by the British government to investigate the disaster. The commission concluded that administrative errors and lack of preparedness had significantly contributed to the magnitude of the tragedy.
This analysis places the famine within the broader debate about colonial governance and accountability in nineteenth-century India.
Legacy of the Famine
Beyond documenting suffering, the book also explores the long-term consequences of the famine. The catastrophe exposed the weaknesses of the existing administrative system and prompted discussions about disaster management, communication infrastructure, and agricultural policy.
In the decades following the famine, several reforms were introduced, including improvements in transportation networks and greater attention to famine relief policies. The tragedy also contributed indirectly to the rise of regional consciousness and public activism in Odisha, as intellectuals and social leaders began to demand better governance.
Critical Evaluation
The book’s greatest contribution lies in bringing together scattered historical records into a single, accessible volume. By doing so, it fills a major gap in the historiography of Odisha. The careful use of archival material lends credibility and depth to the narrative.
At the same time, the book is more documentary than interpretative in certain sections. Some chapters focus heavily on official records and may appear dense for general readers. Nevertheless, for historians, researchers, and students of colonial India, these documents are extremely valuable.
Another important achievement of the book is that it challenges the idea that famines were inevitable natural disasters. Instead, it demonstrates how human decisions, economic policies, and administrative failures can turn a crop shortage into a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Verdict
The Great Orissa Famine 1866 (Na’Anka Durbhikshya) is a significant scholarly contribution to the study of Odisha’s history. By combining archival research with historical analysis, the editors have produced a work that not only documents a forgotten tragedy but also encourages reflection on governance, accountability, and disaster management.
The book ultimately serves as both a historical record and a moral reminder. It highlights how neglect and policy failures can magnify human suffering and underscores the importance of responsive governance in times of crisis.
