R C Dutt's criticism of famines questioned which colonial policy?

Correct answer: Harsh land revenue and economic exploitation

The direct answer is option D: harsh land revenue demands and wider economic exploitation. R. C. Dutt was an important economic critic of colonial rule. His analysis of famines did not treat them as purely natural accidents. Drought could reduce crops, but colonial revenue demands, pressure on cultivators, export-oriented policies, poverty, and weak relief could make the suffering much worse. The fact chain is: agricultural failure or shortage occurred; peasants still faced heavy revenue obligations; purchasing power fell; food became difficult to obtain; famine damage increased. Option D is correct because it connects famine criticism with the economic structure and revenue policy of colonial rule. Option A is wrong because national education was not the central issue in this criticism. Option B is wrong because temple entry policy concerns social reform and does not explain the economic causes of famine. Option C is wrong because flag policy has no meaningful connection with famine conditions. Memory cue: R. C. Dutt is associated with the economic critique of colonial exploitation, revenue pressure, and famine.