There could not be a better description of the impact of the famine of 1943–44 in Bengal, one of the most horrifying experiences in the history of the province. Also known as ‘Panchasher Manwantar’, it shook Bengali society to its very roots. There have been numerous studies on the causes of the famine of 1943. However, there is a need to revisit the famine in the light of the deep impact that it had on communal politics in Bengal. The near total absence of food as a result of a man-made catastrophe set in motion a chain reaction. The chapter has been divided into two sections. The first section studies in detail the impact of hunger on Bengali society in 1943–44. Widespread destitution, first due to the War and then the unavailability of food and other basic necessities like clothing, kerosene and cooking oil, led to a downward spiral in the social and moral order. As family and kinship ties failed to secure survival, the community association alone kept the shattered people together. The second section links up this terrible experience to the complete dependence of famine victims on relief. A detailed analysis of the nature and complexities of relief/rehabilitation is drawn up to show how communal politics insinuated itself deep into the relief process. This, in turn, shaped the social and political developments in Bengal in subsequent years.