Pakpattan during the Twentieth Century: A Historical Study

Abstract

Pakpattan District is an important historical town and spiritual center. It had a rich historical legacy and witnessed many dynasties and regimes. During 20^th century, the area remained a peripheral and underdeveloped region of British Punjab.  The geographical and demographic features of the area are also highlighted with shifting trends in present study. The study is an attempt to understand the nature of colonial structure, reforms and political developments in the area. The working of colonial patronage structure through district bureaucracy and creation of local political elite among the loyalist classes is analyzed. The role of these local collaborates of Raj in maintaining law and order and collection of revenue also analyzed in the study. The local political elite and influential families are listed and evaluated to establish historical roots of political dominance of landed aristocracy and spiritual elite under British patronage system. The study also made an effort to understand the political transition in the area in relation to provincial and central governments and political developments in India. The regional and local study is aimed to understand grand narrative of history through localized case study.