EPISODE · Jun 13, 2026 · 8 MIN
The Famine That Made Bengal British: The 1770 Company Catastrophe
from The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In 1770, Bengal suffered a famine that killed an estimated ten million people — roughly a third of its population. This episode digs into how the British East India Company's mismanagement and tax policies turned a drought into a catastrophe. Lucas and Luna explore the diwani system, the role of zamindars, Warren Hastings' decisions, and the chilling statistics that challenge the 'natural disaster' narrative. They also examine the famine's long-term impact on Bengal's economy, agriculture, and the seeds of colonial resistance that would bloom a century later. A sobering look at how imperial policy can kill. #BengalFamine1770 #EastIndiaCompany #WarrenHastings #Diwani #Zamindars #Murshidabad #BengalHistory #Famine #Colonialism #ManMadeDisaster #BritishRaj #EconomicHistory #IndianHistory #SouthAsia #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #HiddenHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In 1770, Bengal suffered a famine that killed an estimated ten million people — roughly a third of its population. This episode digs into how the British East India Company's mismanagement and tax policies turned a drought into a catastrophe. Lucas and Luna explore the diwani system, the role of zamindars, Warren Hastings' decisions, and the chilling statistics that challenge the 'natural disaster' narrative. They also examine the famine's long-term impact on Bengal's economy, agriculture, and the seeds of colonial resistance that would bloom a century later. A sobering look at how imperial policy can kill. #BengalFamine1770 #EastIndiaCompany #WarrenHastings #Diwani #Zamindars #Murshidabad #BengalHistory #Famine #Colonialism #ManMadeDisaster #BritishRaj #EconomicHistory #IndianHistory #SouthAsia #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #HiddenHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
NOW PLAYING
The Famine That Made Bengal British: The 1770 Company Catastrophe
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.