Deadliest Natural Disasters of All Time That Shook The World

1769-1773 Great Bengal Famine Of 1770

This severe drought condition had emerged during the rule of the British East India Company, claiming the lives of nearly 1/3rd of the local rural population. While it occurred in the areas of Indian states known as Bihar, Bengal, and surrounding areas, it also affected the regions of Bangladesh, Jharkhand, Odisha & Assam.

The primary cause of this devastation has been identified as a poor monsoon that recurred for two consecutive rice-growing seasons. Since Bengal had been newly taken over by the British, their cruel taxation policies only added to worsening the plight of the poor.