In a Comprehensive Perspective
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International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS) Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 11 Issue 07, July- 2021 ISSN: 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 8.018| (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) BENGAL ORISSA FAMINE OF 1866 AND DEVELOPMENT OF PORTS IN COLONIAL ORISSA. (1866-1900): IN A COMPREHENSIVE PERSPECTIVE Dr. Ganeswar Nayak. Asst .Prof of History, F.M . Autonomous College, Balasore, Orissa. Abstract- After the conquest of Orissa in 1803, East India Company did not take any steps to development of ports. Orissa had long coast line and dotted with several ports. In nineteenth century, road were not developed. Railway was not extended to Orissa. Canals for communication purposes were developed after 1866. When famine came in 1866, relief materials were not transported to the interior of the country. In this famine one third of her population were killed because of food. So the Famine Commission of 1866, recommended for development of ports. These ports were worked as the channel of communication without side world. The isolation of Orissa came to end. Gradually maritime transaction increased and economy of Orissa was integrated with the world economy. Key words- Bengal Orissa Famine Commission Report, Balasore Port, Subarnarekha Port, Dhamra Port., Bengal Nagpur Railway. Introduction- In 1803 East India Company conquered Orissa.1 In 1866, Orissa was visited by a famine which was most extreme and desolating in character. 2 It was called Na Anka Famine in Orissa, since it came in the Ninth year of the King Dibya Singa Divya of Orissa. In this famine one third of its population were perished. 3 A Famine Commission was constituted under the Chairmanship of George Campbell to look into the causes, circumstances and extent of the famine and suggest remedial measures to guard as far as possible against the recurrence of a similar disaster in future. The famine commission prioritized on the development of roads, ports and making the canals navigable for the people of Orissa. 4 International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 70 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS) Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 11 Issue 05, May- 2021 ISSN: 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 8.018| (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) The main argument of the paper is that in the first quarter of nineteenth century with the coming of British to Orissa, roads and navigable canals were not developed. Among the waterways only ports were main sources by the people of Orissa. The central argument of this paper is that the ports were developed for commercial and colonial purposes. From 1803 to 1866, no vigorous step was taken to explore the coast and develop the ports for the economic development of the province. Due to this reason , the famine was aggravated i and one third of its population were killed. So, the Bengal Orissa Famine of 1866 strongly recommended for development of Ports. It considered False Point Port as the best harbor all along the coast of India. 5 Review of Literature. The Bengal Orissa Famine Commission Report was main source of information for reconstructing the port development of Orissa in the nineteenth century. Development of Transport and communication - A case study written by Ganeswar Nayak. It garishly describes the ports development and maritime transaction after the Famine of 1866 in Orissa. Pathways of Empire, Circulation, Public Works, and Social space in Colonial Prissa,1780- 1914, written by Ravi Ahuja, provides substantial information on the existence of ports in Orissa in the 19th century .G C Pattnaik’s work on Famine and Some aspect of British Economic Policy also provide important information on maritime history of Orissa in the 19th century. Condition of Ports after the British Conquest of Orissa- When the East India Company occupied Orissa in 1803, Balasore, Churamoan, Dhamra, in Balasore District, Manikpatna in Puri District were prosperous ports. These ports have maritime link with Maldives, Sri Lank, Mauritius, and Laccadives. 6 In 1817, the Board of trade suggested for founding of port in the southern coast of Calcutta to afford assistance to vessels in distress and for the purpose of public utility. In 1819, the Governor General in Council selected a maritime Committee at Cuttack. It consisted of the Collector of Cuttack and salt agent for the control and superintendence of the maritime affairs in the province of Cuttack. 7 In 1820, George Minchin, the Master attendant explored the coast of Orissa and reported that ports were considered incongruous for the purpose of receiving vessels. As a result of International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 71 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS) Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 11 Issue 05, May- 2021 ISSN: 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 8.018| (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) his unfavorable reports, the Government decided for development of coastal trade in Orissa by developing ports. 8 In 1828 Maritime Committee was abolished and Collector of Cuttack was put in charge of the maritime establishment. In 1830, the Balasore Custom house reports informs that vessels were coming from Laccadives, Maldives Iceland, which brought back coir, Coconuts and Cowries and took back rice and earthen pots. 9 The sultan of Maldives Island had written to Pakenham, the Commissioner, pointing out the difficulties experienced by the merchants of these island resorting Balasore Port for the purpose of trade. Balasore district had a coast line of 85 miles. It had seven ports originally constituted by a special Acts of 1858. The names of the ports were Subarnarekha, Sartha, Chhaonoa, Balasore, Laichhanpur, Churamoan and Dhamra. The most important of them were Subarnarekha and Churamoan. 10 The port of Chandballi was opened in 1872. 11 Condition of Ports before the outbreak of the Famine- From the above analyses, it is clear that, the port of Orissa, did not receives the attention of the colonial government. In 1866, Orissa was affected by a famine which was most intense and desolating in character. Its severity was so terrible that one third of its population were perished. The Famine Commission of 1866 remarked that famine in Orissa stands almost alone in this, that there was almost no importation, and the people, shut up in a narrow province between pathless jungles and impracticable seas were in the condition of passenger of a ship without any provision. 12 The ghastly nature of the famine displayed the serious defects of the Bengal administration and lamentable negligence of the vital problems with regard to the developments of Orissa. The absence of good port was on the Orissa coast was one of the causes of famine of 1866. 13 The existing ports were not fit for use. In rainy season steamer could not end cargo on the surf beaten shore. 14 So rice could not be imported in large scale .through the ports of Orissa in the time of necessity in order to provide relief to the famine stricken people.. All the ports were of little use when exposed to ordeal of bad weather or any emergency. They were inaccessible to the ordinary type of European vessels. For such vessels there was no protected anchorage of any kind. Moreover, it did not afford any inlet to the interior for the Indian sea going vessels. while anchorage was so many miles from the landing place and so far from any populated port of the country that without very special appliances prepared beforehand was of little use. At any other part of the coast, International Journal of Research in Economics & Social Sciences 72 Email:- [email protected], http://www.euroasiapub.org (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS) Available online at: http://euroasiapub.org Vol. 11 Issue 05, May- 2021 ISSN: 2249-7382 | Impact Factor: 8.018| (An open access scholarly, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, monthly, and fully refereed journal.) cargo vessels were laying in open roads. One of the ports, Dhamra, however was capable of receiving 12 to 14ft of water even in the worst season of the year, provided they entered with the aid of the stream. 15 But the old river harbor could similarly receive vessels drawing 8 to 9 ft stream, however, not available and practically these harbors were only used by the native crafts in fine weather. Even each district had had its own ports, until the outbreak of the famine, they never attracted the attention of the Government. After the outbreak of the famine in 1866, these new ports were improved and opened. These were also an attempt to improve the inland communication. Colonial Apathy to the development of Port s- Even after the famine of 1866, the government did not development the ports of Orissa. The False Point port which received the attention of the Famine Commission of 1866, did not receive the attention of the government. The blueprint for the establishment of the port town and location was much talked about, planned and estimated. But no definite action was taken. The Maharaja of Burdwan had granted some lands for the development of False Point port ports. But financial constraints did not allow government to development of this port. 16 The port of Balasore was not developed.