Question

Name the Commission formed by the British government to investigate the 1943 Bengal famine.
1. Hunter Commission
2. Raleigh Commission
3. Sadler Commission
4. Woodhead Commission

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Woodhead Commission

The correct answer is Woodhead Commission.

• The British government in 1944 appointed the Famine Inquiry Commission, also known as the Woodhead Commission to investigate the Bengal famine of 1943.
• It was chaired by Sir John Woodhead.
• The hearings were held in camera.
• It submitted its report in 1945.
• The report controversially blamed natural causes, rather than the British government for the disaster.

• The 1943 famine of Bengal occurred in the province of Bengal, and modern-day Bangladesh.
• Over 2.1 to 3 million people died.
• The policies of land grab, and the invasion of Japan in 1942, were responsible for the disaster.
• The British government also denied providing medical aid to the victims.