The Great Bengal Famine of 1770 was caused by a failed monsoon that resulted in widespread drought. It impacted the territories of modern West Bengal, Bangladesh, and parts of Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Birbhum and Murshidabad in Bengal and Tirhut, Champaran and Bettiah in Bihar. Unlike the Mughals who lowered taxes during famines, the British increased taxes to 60% in 1771 when the famine was at its peak, exacerbating the situation. The famine and associated diseases are estimated to have caused the deaths of around 10 million people in the Bengal region.