Rural power and debt in Sind in the late nineteenth century, 1865-1901
The thesis investigates the exercise and distribution of power in rural Sind in the late nineteenth century. Waderos (great Muslim landholders) dominated the countryside. Their strength derived partly from their landed wealth and partly from their hold over the landless labourers who worked their estates. The Waderos co-operated with the British authorities and their influence over the agricultural population was crucial to the smooth functioning of the local administration. In the second half of the century, however, British officials reported that many Waderos were seriously in debt to Hindu banias (traders and moneylenders); they feared that their estates might pass to their creditors. Banias could not replace Waderos as the leaders of rural society because, being Hindus, they could not command the respect of the predominantly Muslim agriculturists. Government therefore took steps to protect the landed magnates of Sind and preserve the traditional social hierarchy. The available evidence doeS not in fact confirm that Waderos' estates were disintegrating on a large scale. Smallholders were as seriously affected by indebtedness but, until 1901, it was only the Waderos who received help from Government. The
Cheesman, David
History
Rural power and debt in Sind in the late nineteenth century, 1865-1901. The thesis investigates the exercise and distribution of power in rural Sind in the late nineteenth century. Waderos (great Muslim landholders) dominated the countryside. Their strength derived partly from their landed wealth and partly from their hold over the landless labourers who worked their estates. The Waderos co-operated with the British authorities and their influence over the agricultural population was crucial to the smooth functioning of the local administration. In the second half of the century, however, British officials reported that many Waderos were seriously in debt to Hindu banias (traders and moneylenders); they feared that their estates might pass to their creditors. Banias could not replace Waderos as the leaders of rural society because, being Hindus, they could not command the respect of the predominantly Muslim agriculturists. Government therefore took steps to protect the landed magnates of Sind and preserve the traditional social hierarchy. The available evidence doeS not in fact confirm that Waderos' estates were disintegrating on a large scale. Smallholders were as seriously affected by indebtedness but, until 1901, it was only the Waderos who received help from Government. The
rural power debt investigates exercise distribution power rural great muslim landholder dominate countryside strength derive partly land wealth partly hold landless labourer work estate operated british authority influence agricultural population crucial smooth function local_administration however british_official report many seriously debt hindu trader fear estate might pass creditor could replace leader rural_society hindus could command respect predominantly muslim government therefore take_step protect land magnate preserve traditional social_hierarchy available_evidence fact confirm estate disintegrate large_scale seriously affect indebtedness receive help government