The research paper "Colonial Transformation in the District of Sheikhupura, 1849–1947" was authored by Iram Naseer Ahmad. This academic background situates the author's work within the field of historical research, focusing specifically on the impact of British Imperialism and colonialism on the local governance and socio-economic life of the Sheikhupura district.
The British colonial rule completely changed the Sheikhupura district between 1849 and 1947. This transformation was extensive. It altered the region's geography, administration, and socio-economic life. The whole project was part of the imperialistic ambitions of the colonial power in India. The goal was to establish a controlled society. This was achieved through new boundaries and a centralized government. Ironically, this system was meant to protect the "world monopoly of industrial production" for the British.
The British colonial era in Sheikhupura is divided into three stages. The first stage spanned from 1600 to 1757. It focused on trade monopoly and revenue extraction. The East India Company promoted the export of cotton textiles and silks from Sheikhupura. This supported British industrial interests. The second stage started with the conquest of India in 1757. This stage involved exploitation through trade. Taxes and land revenue were used to collect surplus. Sheikhupura faced an economic drain during this time. The third stage began in 1860 and lasted until 1947. The East India Company's role ended. British authorities took direct control of the district. People began to react, and nationalism grew. Sheikhupura became a "garrison town for British imperialism".
The British Government made many geographical changes in Sheikhupura. Initially, the region of Rechna Doab and Jhang was included in the Gujranwala District. The temporary headquarter of this sub-division was in Sheikhupura. In 1851–1852, the sub-division was divided. Gujranwala District was created with four tehsils, including Sheikhupura. Sheikhupura was then included in Lahore district in 1855. Later, in 1893, the tehsil of Khanka Dogra was established. Sharaqpur tehsil was detached from Lahore and included in Gujranwala in 1910.
A new district, Sheikhupura, was established on November 1, 1919. Its tehsils were Khanka Dogra and Shurqpur. This was because Khanka Dogra and Sharaqpur tehsils were too far from the district headquarter. Also, crime was common, and the administration found it difficult to maintain control. The first Deputy Commissioner was M. L. Karry. Further changes were made in 1922. The old Shurqpur tehsil of Gujranwala was divided into Nankana Sahib and Shahdara tehsils. Towns from Sialkot and Lahore were also added to Sheikhupura.
The British used the social theory of Panopticism in British-India. This meant controlling the population through constant, unseen surveillance. Lord Clive introduced the double government system in India. Under this, criminal justice was handled by Nawabi Official0. Civil and fiscal matters were controlled by colonial authorities. In 1772, Warren Hastings took over the judicial system. He established two courts in every district. These were the civil court (diwani adalat) and a criminal court (faujdari adalat). European District Collectors headed the civil courts. They were helped by Brahman pundits and Muslim maulvis. The criminal courts worked under a Kazi and a Mufti. These were also headed by European Collectors.
Lord Cornwallis later separated revenue collection from civil court administration. He introduced a hierarchical structure. This system rejected the indigenous system of justice in Sheikhupura. The police department was also centralized. Initially, Zamindars performed police duties. They were under District Magistrates. Lord Cornwallis changed this system. He established thanas (units) in each district. He created a new officer called a Daroga. Darogas were headed by the magistrates.
The entire administrative and revenue structure aimed to get maximum revenue. Systems like the Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari Settlement were implemented. The administrative set-up of the new district was led by the Deputy Commissioner. He was responsible for revenue, judicial, and general departments. He also served as the District Collector and District Magistrate. He was assisted by three Sub-divisions: Sheikhupura, Shahdara, and Nankana Sahib. Each Sub-division was managed by an Assistant Commissioner. This official was also the Sub-divisional Magistrate. Each tehsil was controlled by a Tahsildar. Tahsildars had powers as Assistant Collectors. They were assisted by Naib Tehsildars, Girdawars, Patwaries, Numberdars, and chowkidars. The structure was influenced by the Utilitarian theory of Jeremy Bentham. This helped the British enforce their imperial designs.
The development of new towns and institutions marked the colonial period. The Notified Area Committee was established in Sheikhupura in 1919. M. L. Karry, the Deputy Commissioner, was its first president. The Committee aimed to create strong connections between locals and British authorities. It provided essential services, like clean water in 1925. Electricity from Shahdra was supplied to the district in 1931.
The article highlights several key towns: Sangala Hill was historical. It was included in Sheikhupura in 1920. The British invested money here because of the fertile land. Khanka Dogran was a famous town of Punjab. It got tehsil status in 1893. It became a modern town under colonial rule. Jandiala Sher Khan was named after Sher Khan Pathan. It was included in Khanqa Dogran in 1893. Narang was an ancient town. It prospered after a branch canal was built. Railway tracks were built in 1926. Sharaqpur was known for its markets and trade. It had a Municipality established in 1874. In 1922, it became a sub-tehsil included in Shahdra.
In conclusion, the colonial transformation of Sheikhupura was a meticulous and multi-layered project. It was driven by the imperialistic ambition to secure the "world monopoly of industrial production" and establish a controlled society. The British relentlessly restructured the district's geography, culminating in the formal creation of Sheikhupura as a separate administrative unit in 1919. They superimposed their control through a centralized administrative system, famously inspired by the Utilitarian theory and embodying Foucault's concept of Panopticism. This involved reforming the judicial system with the establishment of Diwani and Faujdari Adalats, centralizing the police under the Daroga system, and creating a rigorous revenue hierarchy headed by the Deputy Commissioner. Ultimately, this systematic colonial overhaul—from the creation of new towns and municipal bodies to the enforcement of new land settlements —succeeded in replacing the native structure with a modern, British-centric mechanism, fundamentally altering the traditional patterns and culture of Sheikhupura.
