Political Dynamics of Pakpattan Tehsil in Late Colonial Punjab (1900–1947): Colonial Governance, Religious Authority and Rural Political Mobilization

Abstract

The article is concerned with politics of Pakpattan Tehsil in Montgomery District in late colonial period (19001947). The paper will review how colonial administrative reforms, agrarian systems, religious power and new political parties changed political environment of rural Punjab. The role of shrine of Baba Farid and role of political organizations, such as Unionist Party and All-India Muslim League, is given special attention. Based on colonial administrative documents, district gazetteers, settlement reports and electoral records, the article posits that politics in Pakpattan was an intricate blend of colonial rule, religious power and rural elite connections. The custodians of the shrine agrarian elites and colonial rulers designed a triangular power system which shaped political participation and mobilization in area and particularly in final ten years of British dominance. Work contributes to history of the region politics by demonstrating how the politics of local Pakpattan are the reflections of the changes in the broader Punjab of the late colonial era.

Keywords: Political Dynamic, Pakpattan, Colonial, Governance, Religious Authority, Rural Political Mobilization