A study of the economic effects of the Punjab canal colonies

Abstract

To readers interested in the material progress of the Province, no introduction seems necessary for so fascinating, a subject as the "Enonomic effects of the Punjab Canal Colonies. The origin, growth and development of the Canal colonies is an interesting and surprising miracle of the 20th century -a miracle which has given rise to an important trading city like Lyallpur, the capital of the Lower Chonab Colony. The development of the Lower Bari Doab Colony has an importance of its own as it is the youngest of all its sister colonies and as most of us have seen the change that has come over the new Bar. One can see what it was like less than ten years ago as one passes in the Karachi mail through the desert skirting the youngest Canal Colony, not a vestige of cultivation on either side: only sand hills and a barren plain, dreariness unreclaimed save by the vivid mirage of water and trees. How this blight and hideousness of land, was redeemed by the miracle of the 20th century and what are the consequences of this change form the scope of my thesis. I have chosen what appears to me to be the notable features and grouped round them the circumstances which led to them and the consequences which came from them. It has not been possible, however, to mention all the noteworthy points in the development of different colonies and my apologies are, therefore, due for any partiality or neglect which I may appear to have done. I have deliberately given much attention and large space to Chapter LV (on means of communications) as the prosperity of colonies very much depends upon the progress and improvements effected in their means of communication and I feel therefore no hesitation in quoting A. Smith, that "improvement in the means of transport is the greatest of all the agricultural improvements". Chapter V (on population is meant to indicate the relation between migration of population and canal irrigation. Chapters VL & VII (dealing with depressed classes and the janglis respectively) are important both from social and economic point of view. The importance of Chapter VIII (unrocognised assets of the Canal Irrigation) lies in its exposition or a few important effects which are generally overlooked by a superficial observer. Chapters XI (experiment of co-operative sale) is very important from the present day stand point and the Chapter XIII dealing with the problem or indebtedness has much bearing upon the Chapter XI. The latter is a remedy of the economic ills of indebtedness diagnosed in the former. As for my appendices, I may submit that they form an integral part of my thesis and therefore deserve a careful perusal. Appendix "A" is based on an inductive enquiry into the village No. 369 near Cora, district Lyallpur. The usefulness of Appendix "B" lies in its reference to sufferings and hardships undergone by early colonists and also in its real story of a Sufaid Posh grantee