A FORGOTTEN DISASTER

BENGAL IN 1872

Abstract

The year 1872 can be regarded as a year of cyclone when four successive cyclones had taken place in the same year in different parts of Orissa and Bengal. The cyclones of 1872 had occurred in the month of May, June, September and October. Although the cyclones of May, June and October were localized in their character and extent, the Cyclone of 20th September had affected a vast region of colonial Bengal. The districts of Pabna, Bogra, Dacca, Mymensingh, Jessore, 24 Parganas and Nadia had been affected severely by the cyclone of 20th September 1872. Several human lives were lost, boats carrying commodities were drowned, cattle were lost, crops in the fields were also greatly affected by this disaster. The cyclone had provided a severe blow also to the ecology and economic conditions of colonial Bengal. In this historical background, the present article intends to highlight the occurrence of the cyclone of 20th September 1872 and its impacts on society, economy and ecology of colonial Bengal. The present article has been divided into two main parts – the first part deals with the occurrence and impact of the cyclone and highlights the narrative of damage and destruction caused by the disaster, and the second part investigates the nature of state intervention and the method of colonial relief in the aftermath of the disaster.