Landed elite and socio-economic developments in Shahpur District (1857-1914)

Dr. Manzoor Abbas   Maken; Dr. Maqbool Ahmad   Awan

doi:10.71085/sss.04.02.255

Authors

Dr. Manzoor Abbas Maken Assistant Professor, Department of History, Govt. College Farooqa, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan Author
Dr. Maqbool Ahmad Awan Associate Professor, Department of History, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.04.02.255

Keywords:

Socio-economic development, Shahpur District, Environmental challenges, Agricultural and economic, Punjab

Abstract

This research paper examines the impact of colonial rule on the Shahpur district (1857-1914). It also explores role of the landed elite of the Shahpur District in its socio-economic development. The colonial authorities served their interests by co-opting the rural elite, whose support was crucial for maintaining peace and order in the region. This reliance on informal alliance with the landed elite granted these elite considerable power and influence in Shahpur district. Shahpur district was largely agrarian, where land and cattle served as the primary source of livelihood. Environmental challenges and limited economic prospects contributed to the region’s agricultural and economic backwardness. The government developed Jhelum Canal Colony in Shahpur District in order to reduce pressure of population in thickly populated eastern districts of the Punjab and to grow more food to meet requirement of the British Empire. Landed elite of Shahpur District contributed their share in development of Jhelum Canal Colony. The development of Jhelum canal colony converted Shahpur District into an advanced agricultural district. The government introduced a variety of new crops in the Punjab. Landed elite of the Shahpur District played a vital role in introducing new varieties of crops in the western areas of the Punjab

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References

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The government developed five canal colonies in the Bari doab situated between the rivers Bias and Ravi. These colonies were Sidhnai (1886-88), Sohag Para (1886-88), Chunian (1896-98), Lower Bari Doab (1914-24) and Nili Bar (1926-40). The canal projects that made these venture a practical reality were Sidhnai, Lower Sohag Para, Upper Bari Doab, Lower Bari Doab, and Sutlej valley project. There were two canal colonies namely Lower Chenab (1892-1905) and Upper Chenab (1915-1919) in Rachna doab situated between Ravi and Chenab rivers. Similarly, Jech Doab situated between Jhelum and Chenab Rivers. Two canal colonies namely Lower Jhelum (1902-1906) and Upper Jhelum (1916-1921) developed in this Doab. For detail see Imran Ali, The Punjab under imperialism: 1885-1947, 9.

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The Government of India was afraid that half-squares, if added on to ordinary grants for horse-breeding, would then be insufficient to support men undertaking horse-breeding due to division or alienation of the land. The Government of India also felt that it might not be possible to tempt men already in possession of grants to undertake horse breeding. Land, therefore, would have to be granted on the breeding condition and on no other. For detail, see Imran Ali, The Punjab under imperialism: 1885-1947.

In the Jhelum Colony this concession was, withheld and it was meant an end to the horse-breeding scheme. This was to create much discontent in later years. For a comprehensive survey of irrigation conditions on the Shahpur private canals in the early 1930. Imran Ali, The Punjab under imperialism: 1885-1947.

Among these rural offices were also included halqadar inamdar and zaildar

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The Landed Gentry grants were 5-10 rectangles in size and in some special cases 15 rectangles. Residence of the grantees in person was not insisted upon, as it would have involved the withdrawal of men of influence from their home districts, where their services were of the greatest use to the government.

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Owing to shortage of land in the Lower Bari Doab Colony, further Landed Gentry grants were allotted in the Renala extension in this colony, and in the Chenab and Jhelum Colonies.

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