State, society and environment in the ex-state of Bahawalpur : a case study of the Sutlej Valley Project, 1921-1947
This study examines the impact of Sutlej Valley Project (SVP) â a colonial mega canal colonisation scheme implemented by the British rulers of India in the years 1921- 1947, in order to bring upland crown waste areas of the British Punjab, and the princely states of Bahawalpur and Bikaner, under cultivation. This study covers only that part of the project which was implemented in Bahawalpur State and investigates the impact of this phase of hydraulic engineering on the state, society and its environment through the nexus of hydro-politics, land settlement, migration, demography, agricultural development and ecological change. The implementation of the SVP opened up large wasteland areas to reclamation, areas which were subsequently colonised by both local and immigrant peasant communities from different parts of India â though predominantly from the Punjab. This thesis argues that the state â through the ownership of extensive colony lands and a large network of perennial canals â monopolised the means of production and thus took control of both society and landscape in order to reshape them to its own advantage. Through the project the state was able to wield power not only over the environment, but
Khalid, Zahid Ali
DS480.45 1919-1947 ; DS485.B12 Bahawalpur ; TC0703 India
State, society and environment in the ex-state of Bahawalpur : a case study of the Sutlej Valley Project, 1921-1947. This study examines the impact of Sutlej Valley Project (SVP) â a colonial mega canal colonisation scheme implemented by the British rulers of India in the years 1921- 1947, in order to bring upland crown waste areas of the British Punjab, and the princely states of Bahawalpur and Bikaner, under cultivation. This study covers only that part of the project which was implemented in Bahawalpur State and investigates the impact of this phase of hydraulic engineering on the state, society and its environment through the nexus of hydro-politics, land settlement, migration, demography, agricultural development and ecological change. The implementation of the SVP opened up large wasteland areas to reclamation, areas which were subsequently colonised by both local and immigrant peasant communities from different parts of India â though predominantly from the Punjab. This thesis argues that the state â through the ownership of extensive colony lands and a large network of perennial canals â monopolised the means of production and thus took control of both society and landscape in order to reshape them to its own advantage. Through the project the state was able to wield power not only over the environment, but
state_society environment state case_study valley project study_examines impact valley project colonial canal colonisation scheme implement british ruler india year order_bring upland crown waste area british punjab princely state cultivation study cover part project implement state investigates impact phase engineering state_society environment nexus politics land settlement migration demography agricultural_development ecological change implementation open large area reclamation area subsequently colonise local immigrant peasant community different_part india though predominantly punjab argues state ownership extensive colony land large network perennial canal mean production thus take control society landscape order reshape advantage project state able wield power environment