Famine, Philanthropy, and the Colonial State

"The book argues that the experience of famine was intertwined with the quest for the legitimacy of rule by the colonial state. Although the state progressively advocated laissez faire, its humanitarian and pragmatic concerns resulted in a series of interventionist polices. The famine situations contributed to the expansion and consolidation of the ideological underpinnings and physical infrastructure of the colonial state. By claiming to be the desirable and most effective source of philanthropy, the colonial state sought to transform rival indigenous notions of charity. The rhetoric of benevolence and patronage implied new responsibilities for the state which was increasingly called upon and obliged to act for the welfare of its subjects. However, the limits of colonial welfarism and 'modernity' were apparent as the state neglected its responsibilities towards the amelioration of the growing structural poverty. Aspects of these have persisted in independent India.".