The British Raj’s Spanish flu response has a lesson for India’s Covid-19 battle

The British Raj’s Spanish flu response has a lesson for India’s Covid-19 battle

Under the rule of the British Empire, India lost 10-20 million lives to the 1918-1919 pandemic. The year was made more excruciating by meagre rainfall, crippling agriculture produce, and leading to conditions of famine in major parts of the country. Yet, there were districts that performed significantly better than others in terms of managing the pandemic and offering famine relief.