book chapter

The canal colonies

Punjab peasant in prosperity and debt • [Bombay • Published In 1947 • Pages: 111-131

By: Darling, Malcolm.

Abstract

This is an account of how building canals and establishing associated settlements in stages from 1860 to 1930 transformed parts of the Punjab by making farming more productive. Settlers were selected from over-populated central Punjab by an officer who inspected prospective candidates' health, physique, hands (to see if they had indeed worked a plough), willingness to relocate, debt level, and whether they lacked sufficient land to farm. Assessment is made of the types of colonists chosen and their degree of success, absentee landlordism, tenancy, and sizes of holdings. The author is particularly concerned with debt, its causes, and possible remedies, emphasizing the value of thrift with regard to the last.

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

book chapter

Evaluation

Creator Type

Government Official

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Helen Takacs; 1956

Field Date

1917-1919, 1930

Coverage Date

1905-1930

Coverage Place

north-central Punjab Province, Pakistan

Notes

By Malcolm Darling

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

49026465

LCSH

Land tenure--Punjab

Peasantry--Punjab

Usury--Punjab

Agricultural credit--Punjab

Punjab--Economic conditions