Indian Famine Code

The Indian Famine Code of 1883 was the first modern codification of responses to famine, developed by the British government during their occupation of India. This detailed code classified food scarcity situations and outlined government obligations during a famine. It continues to influence contemporary policies, such as food-for-work programs and direct relief for those unable to work.1

Famines can be caused by natural factors like drought or floods, or by human actions such as warfare, which disrupts food supplies and distribution. The Bengal famine of 1943, for instance, was not due to a lack of food production but rather an "entitlement failure" where economic factors prevented people from accessing available food. Wartime actions by British authorities, including food stockpiling and export, exacerbated the situation, leading to hoarding, price inflation, and ultimately, millions of deaths.23