British Administration in Agrarian Punjab (1849-1906): order versus transformation

Abstract

This paper is part of the project of the Lahore School of Economics started in 2017 on “An Economic History of Pakistan in an Historical Perspective”. The aim of this paper is to understand the land tenure system that was put in place in Punjab from 1846 till 1906 keeping in view the conflicting concerns for order and transformation of the colonial government. The paper argues that the colonial government’s somewhat idealistic vision of modernization of the agrarian structures came in constant clash with its need for political stability in the region. When faced with resistance of the well-entrenched landed classes against the ideals of transformation, the colonial rulers had to make significant compromises. Eventually the balance of forces tilted in favour of political stability and the state had to withdraw from its previously interventionist role as far as its land policy was concerned.