Colonial Economy and Agricultural Underdevelopment in Colonial Punjab

Abstract

Abstract The British rule in the Punjab had a utilitarian aspect. The development of infrastructure and construction of canal colonies was the most profitable part of it. The colonial interests were served by the policy of patron-client relationship. Rural elites were identified as colonial collaborators and their authority was legitimized through the ownership of the vast tracts of land, an insignia of power and prestige and their connection with the British officials. In return of these privileges rura elites extended their loyalty and support to colonial state to anchor their rule in India. I iuargue that colonial political economy created and enhanced poverty and under development in Mianwali1 district. The British saw the protection of tribal structure as imperative for the consolidation of colonial rule in the region. The official indifference vividly demonstrated in the realms of education, agriculture, socio-cultural development and the building of the infrastructure. The indifference of the government leads us to believe that Mianwali had, supposedly no tangible bearing on the politics and economy of the Punjab. On the other hand iuhardly any investment was done to enhance the agricultural productivity. Uncertain environmental conditions, low economic resources contributed in the economic and

agricultural underdevelopment of the region. The agricultural indebtedness, growth of moneylenders, sale and mortgage of land were the result of economic policies of the British which had its adverse fall out on the underdevelopment of the district.