India was forced to become a partner in the War, which was between England and Germany.There was forced recruitment in rural areas which caused a widespread anger among the people. They turned against the government. They joined the national movement.In the economic field, the war led to huge expenditure on defence, so the British increased the taxes, customs duties and introduced the income-tax. Prices of all articles increased which caused great hardships to the common people. The prices doubled between 1913-1918. In 1918-19, 1920-21 crops failed in many parts of India, leading to an extreme shortage of food.Famine was accompanied with influenza epidemic. It is estimated (according to the Census of 1921) that nearly 12 to 13 million people perished due to famine and disease.