Rural Politics in Transition: Okara Tehsil During Colonial Period

Abstract

This study examines changing political processes of Okara Tehsil in colonial era, with an emphasis on interplay of British rule, socio-economic developments and development of new political forms in rural Punjab. This paper has explored the reasons why traditional rural politics in colonial times experienced great changes during British rule through a keen analysis of colonial land revenue systems, administrative policies and role of local elites. The introduction of centralized administration and indirect government systems transformed the equilibrium in power distribution and this gave rise to emergence of a new group of intermediaries, who were aligned to colonial interests. Through the study of archives, settlement reports and secondary literature, this study contextualizes the political development of Okara, as part of wider context of British colonial policies in Punjab.

Keywords: Muslim League, Montgomery District, Colonial Punjab, Shrine Politics, Biradari, Elections 1937–1946, Pakistan Movement