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1943 Bengal Famine

In 1943, during WW2, famine struck Bengal in British-run India, claiming the lives of millions. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Professor Rafiqul Islam who lived through it.

In 1943, during the Second World War, famine struck Bengal in British-run India following the Japanese occupation of neighbouring Burma. No one knows how many people died in the famine but estimates range from 3 to 5 million. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Professor Rafiqul Islam who lived through the famine, one of the worst catastrophes ever to occur under British rule.

(Photo; Queue for food in Calcutta. Credit: Corbis)

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 1 Apr 2015 07:50GMT

Broadcast

  • Wed 1 Apr 2015 07:50GMT

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