Volume-XII, Issue-II, March 2026 |
Revisiting the 1922 Flood in Rajshahi Division of Northern Bengal and Meghnad Saha’s Vision for Flood Control: A Historical Study Sahebul Alam, Research Scholar, Department of History, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India |
Received: 14.03.2026 | Accepted: 14.03.2026 | Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.02W. | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
In 1922, the Rajshahi Division of Northern Bengal in undivided India experienced a widespread flood that severely affected the lives and livelihoods of the local population. Although the flood of 1922 was similar to, or even less intense than, the earlier major flood of 1871 in the region, it caused far greater destruction. The eminent scientist and social thinker Meghnad Saha played a crucial role in analysing the reasons behind this paradox. In his article “The Great Flood in Northern Bengal”, Saha examined the causes and consequences of the disaster and highlighted how infrastructure developments, such as railway embankments and other human interventions, altered the natural drainage system, thereby intensifying flood damage. Beyond documenting the flood, Saha actively participated in relief activities and helped draw expert attention to the structural causes of the disaster. During the crisis, several prominent figures were involved in relief work, including Prafulla Chandra Ray, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Saha himself. The then Minister of Local Self-Government, Surendranath Banerjee, also made observations that provide additional insights into the flood’s impact. Saha further proposed a scientific and systematic approach to flood control, emphasising the need for coordinated river management and long-term planning. This article analyses the causes and effects of the 1922 flood and examines the efforts and vision of Meghnad Saha in proposing flood control measures. His work remains an important reference for understanding the relationship between environmental change, infrastructure development, and flood vulnerability in Northern Bengal as well as in India. | ||
Keywords: Atrai River, Flood, Meghnad Saha, Naogaon, North Bengal, Rajshahi, Railway, Science, Scientist. |