The correct answer is 1943. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Bengal famine of 1943 • The famine of Bengal that occurred in the year 1943 was the most devastating famine in India that killed thirty lakh people in the province of Bengal. • The main reason for the Bengal famine was the shortage of rice and the extreme hike in its price level, while some economists advocate that the famine was the result of the failure of the British government policies. • Meaning of famine • A famine is characterized by widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics caused as a result of forced use of contaminated water or decaying food and loss of body resistance due to weakening from starvation and malnutrition. • Due to the occurrence of a natural calamity, the total production of food grains decreases which creates a shortage of food and results in a hike in price levels. • At high prices, people fail to afford sufficient food, if this situation exists for longer time periods, it may cause a situation of starvation. • Widespread starvation takes the form of famine.