Who was the Chairman of the First Famine Commission in 1880?

The correct answer is Sir Richard Strachey.

Key Points

• It was set up in 1878 under the Chairmanship of Sir Richard Strachey.
• The commission recommended state interference in food trade in the event of famine.
• The Strachey Commission came out with the recommendation on whose basis a Famine Code was developed.
• The Commission recommended
  • A famine code should be formulated.
  • Irrigation facilities should be developed.
  • Collection of land revenue should be suspended immediately during famines and land revenue should be remitted.
  • Data should be collected about the conditions of Indian peasantry and agriculture.
• This code has 4 parts
  • The first part of the code dealt with the government measures during normal times.
  • The second part dealt with the relief campaign.
  • The third part dealt with the duties of officials during relief measures.
  • The fourth part dealt with the division of famine-affected areas.

Additional Information

• The Second Famine Commission was formed in 1897 under the Chairmanship of Sir James Lyall.
  • It recommended the development of irrigation facilities.
• The Third Famine Commission was formed in 1900 under the Chairmanship of Sir Anthony McDonnel.
  • It recommended the official machinery dealing with a famine must work around the year so that the scarcity of food grains could be controlled well in time.