Colonial Economic Policies
British imperial policies prioritized resource extraction and war efforts over local welfare. The export of rice and food grains continued despite local shortages.
War-Time Inflation
The Second World War caused rapid inflation. The prices of essentials skyrocketed, making food unaffordable for the poor and middle class.
Natural Disasters
Floods, cyclones, and crop diseases in 1942 destroyed rice harvests. Many regions lost their entire yield for the season.
Hoarding and Black Market
Landowners and traders hoarded grain to sell at inflated prices. The poor starved while food rotted in storage or was exported illegally.