 Devastating famines impoverished India every 5 to 8 years in the late 19th century and the first half of 20th century.Between 6.1 and 10.3 million people starved to death in British India during the 1876-1879 famine, while another 6.1 to 8.4 million people died during the 1896-1898 famine.The Lancet reported that 19 million people died from starvation and the consequences of extreme poverty in British India between 1896 and 1900.