5. Caused One of History’s Largest Famines
The East India Company’s relentless pursuit of profit had devastating consequences, most tragically illustrated by the Bengal famine of 1770. Driven by policies that prioritized revenue extraction over humanitarian concern, the company’s aggressive taxation and grain hoarding severely exacerbated food shortages during drought conditions. As a result, approximately one-third of Bengal’s population—around 10 million people—perished in one of history’s deadliest famines. Rather than alleviating suffering, the company continued exporting grain to maintain profits, underscoring the brutal human cost of its economic policies. This catastrophe remains a stark reminder of how corporate greed can amplify natural disasters into unprecedented humanitarian crises.
