Complex sentence: In absolute numbers, among the hardest hit by post-famine impoverishment were women and landless agricultural labourers, whilst in relative terms, those engaged in rural trade, fishing and transport (boatmen and bullock cart drivers) suffered the most.
Split into simpler sentences: In absolute numbers, hardest hit by post-famine impoverishment incuded women and landless agricultural labourers. In relative terms, those engaged in rural trade, fishing and transport (boatmen and bullock cart drivers) suffered the most.