The Sikh Interregnum: Reassessing the Impact of Sikh Rule on the Administration and Socio-economic of Derajat (1820-1849)

Abstract

The geo-graphical factors of the Indian continent have determined its history. As a landform the subcontinent has not changed, however historically the political map of the Indian subcontinent has changed. The abundance of natural resources and hospitable climate has attracted both the settlers and invaders. Its own settlers were bestowed with all basic necessities and economic resources and did not need to cross their boundaries and invade the region beyond it. Though Derajat was poor in economic resources till Sikh imperialism. It appeared as a strong political power that conquered the Derajat and whole Punjab in all direction, North, South, East and West, and established their strength all over the Punjab. Sikh interregnum had socio-cultural and economic impact on Derajat. This creates the change in socio-economic and socio-political status of Derajat and the neighboring region with the change of administration and governing authority in Pre-Colonial time. Objective of the study is to assess and document the impact of Sikh rule on the administrative structures and socio-economic conditions of the Derajat region between 1820 and 1849. Current study uses a historical approach by analyzing the historical documents such as books, gazettes, articles, notes, political maps and all others relevant documents, but research in the context of history is always a difficult task due to the unavailability of authentic historical documents. It is concluded that Sikh rule in Derajat represented an interregnum of imposed order that replaced tribal breakup with a centralized military backed administration, fundamentally altering the region’s administrative trajectory such as irrigation, agriculture, tax, law and order, security and socio-economic foundations such as coin system, trade and social changes as well.