British Colonial Policy in the Age of Peel and Russell. W. P. Morrell

1931 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-130
Author(s):  
Paul Knaplund
Keyword(s):  
Colonial Policy ◽  
British Colonial

Famine of 1943 in Bakarganj and British Colonial Policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saiful Islam ◽  
Tasnuva Habib Zisan
Keyword(s):  
Warning System ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Local History ◽  
Government Failure ◽  
Colonial Policy ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Government Inspection ◽  
Large Production ◽  
British Colonial ◽  
The Government

In the vast literature of Bengal famine of 1943, it is hard to offer new insights about that vicious source of mass misery. Local history may mark a significant departure here, as it provides scope for an in-depth study of both the origin and course of the famine. Bakarganj was called the granary of Bengal, which used to supply rice to other regions even in the driest years due to its large production. But the famine of 1943 gravely affected this district. The present study shows how it was the colonial measures that played a vital role in intensifying the famine in Bakarganj. The government’s led to: hoarding of rice and serious shortage of food supply. The article concentrates on four aspects of the government failure: inappropriate warning system, callous purchase policy, lack of effective government inspection and a policy of disaster denial.

Thailand's Kra Isthmus and Elusive Canal Plans since the 1850s

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Dobbs
Keyword(s):  
Historical Background ◽  
Colonial Policy ◽  
British Policy ◽  
History Of ◽  
British Colonial

AbstractThis article uses primarily British colonial documents and Singapore sources to examine the history of proposals for the construction of a shipping canal through Thailand's Kra Isthmus from the 1850s. It provides historical background for continuing interest in constructing a Kra canal with the most recent speculative discussions involving Chinese interests. Since the 1850s the idea of a canal was revived on numerous occasions with several detailed surveys conducted over this time to assess the feasibility of a shipping canal via the Kra Isthmus. This research examines how speculation and actual proposals were handled by the British colonial authorities and how this related to the British policy of using Siam/Thailand as a buffer state separating their colonies and those of their European rival France. In colonial Singapore canal proposals created great angst and to some extent this has continued to be the case to the present day. The article suggests that while British colonial policy was always against, or at least not in favour of, the construction of a canal, other factors are equally important for explaining why canal proposals never proceeded beyond planning and surveys.

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