Earthquake, Vulnerability and State: North Bengal in 1897

Abstract

The historical dimensions of the natural disasters or calamities such as - flood, earthquake, cyclone, landslide, etc. form one of the important segments of historical reconstruction of human past and these issues are also increasingly coming to be recognized. with their regional and local variations. Natural disorders not only destroyed lives and property but also disturbed the existed norms of the environment ,by which ecological balance could be restored The distinctiveness of north Bengal in respect of climate, river-influence, rainfall and natural disasters; the behavior of demographic pattern influenced and shaped by the natural calamities along with ratio of mortality or birth and death rates during these calamities displayed certain peculiarities that assert the necessity of historical analysis of these aspects. Historians have, so far, paid little attention to the historical significance of the natural disasters and to the effects of disasters upon societies. Coping with the natural disasters of a particular society depends on the nature of state and its success of providing shelter to the distress. In this background the present article seeks to draw, from historical standpoint the occurrence and consequences of the Earthquake of 1897 which originated in the region of Shillong plateau and affected lives and property in northern part of Bengal and the subsequent measures taken by the colonial Government during and after the events.