Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Bengal Famine of 1770: Clive’s Blind Spot
While the Battle of Plassey and the rise of the East India Company dominate Bengal history, the true human cost of colonial rule was sealed in the Great Famine of 1770. This episode explores how a combination of drought, disease, and ruthless revenue extraction by Robert Clive and his successors turned a regional crisis into a demographic catastrophe that killed ten million people. We examine the specific policies of the Diwani, the role of the Jagat Seth banking family in financing both trade and famine relief, and the stark contrast between the Company’s profit ledgers and the starving…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.