Social and Religious Scenario in Punjab in the 2nd half of the 19th Century

 

Social and Religious Scenario in Punjab in the 2^nd half of the 19^th Century

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By the end of the first half of the Nineteenth Century the whole of Punjab had been brought under British Colonial administration. In Punjabi society the creative response to the Colonial rule first emerged among Hindus from the Vaishya Community. There were historical reasons for dominance of this Community. Long centuries of Muslim rule in the Punjab had led to the loss of political power among the Kshatriya community and the loss of privileges and patronage to the Brahmin Community and consequently the marginalization of these two Communities which in other parts of the Country continued to maintain their dominance. Economic power was vested predominantly among the Vaishya community (among whom we can include Khatris, Bania, Sud and Arora castes). The emergence of the British did not change the economic power vested with the Vaishya Communities both in rural and urban areas and this contributed to the latter’s continued importance as well as dominance within society.