‘We hardly lived before we died'
Down To Earth| January 16, 2021
PANDEMICS IN THE PAST HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ORDER. WILL COVID-19 DO THE SAME?
ISHAN KUKRETI
‘We hardly lived before we died'
IN 1857, when Indian soldiers of the British army rose against their colonial employers, district officials observed a curious pattern in villages. If there was a cholera outbreak in a village it would send chapattis to the head of all the neighbouring villages. The chapattis were a way for the people to warn other villages about the arrival of cholera—one of the biggest killers of the 19th century. The fear of the disease also led people risking their lives by revolting against the British.

Cholera, or the “Indian” cholera—much like “Chinese” virus—was one of the worst pandemics of the world in 19th century. Between 1817 and 1920, the pandemic killed 19 million people worldwide; of this 8 million died in India.

This story is from the January 16, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 16, 2021 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView All
International Women's Day Special SHE
Down To Earth

International Women's Day Special SHE

In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 01, 2024
MODERATELY YOURS
Down To Earth

MODERATELY YOURS

The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet

time-read
3 mins  |
March 01, 2024
TROUBLED TEAK
Down To Earth

TROUBLED TEAK

Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations

time-read
6 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Follow the Chinese way on high tech
Down To Earth

Follow the Chinese way on high tech

Making universities the hub of innovation and churning out scientists adept in frontier technology has put China at the top

time-read
4 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Stronger resolve
Down To Earth

Stronger resolve

In the face of climate change, countries make a slew of commitments to ensure conservation of migratory species

time-read
2 mins  |
March 01, 2024
MIND YOUR THOUGHTS
Down To Earth

MIND YOUR THOUGHTS

Technologies with potential to read one’s thoughts have grown tremendously in recent years driven largely by artificial intelligence, a develooment that raises ethical and privacy issues

time-read
5 mins  |
March 01, 2024
Winter Without Snow
Down To Earth

Winter Without Snow

Record-low snowfall in the Himalayas is evidence that climate change is speeding up

time-read
3 mins  |
February 16, 2024
UNDERRATED GREEN
Down To Earth

UNDERRATED GREEN

Kohlrabi is a healthy but little used member of the cabbage family

time-read
3 mins  |
February 16, 2024
Historical hindsight
Down To Earth

Historical hindsight

An encyclopaedic work capturing the breathless changes in Assam’s recent history as well as its struggle for identity and modernity

time-read
6 mins  |
February 16, 2024
Making jugaad a global success
Down To Earth

Making jugaad a global success

Frugal innovation is the new concept that companies are adopting to take technology to developing countries

time-read
4 mins  |
February 16, 2024