| The Punjab Under Imperialism, 1885-1947 Subjects: Land settlement -- India -- Punjab -- History; Agricultural colonies -- India -- Punjab -- History; Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- India -- Punjab -- History; Irrigation farming -- India -- Punjab -- History; Elite (Social sciences) -- India -- Punjab; The Punjab--an area now divided between Pakistan and India--experienced significant economic growth under British rule from the second half of the nineteenth century. This expansion was founded on the construction of an extensive network of canals in the western parts of the province. The ensuing agricultural settlement transformed the previously barren area into one of the most important regions of commercial agriculture in South Asia. Nevertheless, Imran Ali argues that colonial strategy distorted the development of what came to be called the "bread basket" of the Indian subcontinent. This comprehensive survey of British rule in the Punjab demonstrates that colonial policy making led to many of the socio-economic and political problems currently plaguing Pakistan and Indian Punjab. |