The Famine That Broke Bengal: Chhiattorer Manvantor 1770

In 1770, Bengal was struck by a famine so devastating that a third of its population perished. This episode digs deep into the Chhiattorer Manvantor, the famine of 1176 in the Bengali calendar—its causes, its consequences, and the British East India Company's role in both triggering the catastrophe and failing to respond. We examine the disastrous 1769 monsoon failure, the Company's revenue policies that stripped the land of grain reserves, the horrific toll of cannibalism reported by officials, and the long shadow it cast over the 1770s. Lucas and Luna discuss how the famine reshaped Bengal's economy, weakened the local gentry, and fueled resentment that would simmer for over a century. Mentioning key figures like Warren Hastings, the zamindars who profited, and the stark contrast between Company rhetoric and reality, this episode offers a sobering look at a tragedy too often overlooked. Perfect for listeners who want to understand the deep roots of Bengal's colonial trauma.

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