To readers interested in the material progress of the
Province, no introduction seems necessary for so fascinating, a subject as the "Enonomic effects of the Punjab Canal Colonies. The origin, growth and development of the Canal colonies is an interesting and surprising miracle of the 20th century -a miracle which has given rise to an important trading city like Lyallpur, the capital of the Lower Chonab Colony.
The development of the Lower Bari Doab Colony has an
importance of its own as it is the youngest of all its
sister colonies and as most of us have seen the change that
has come over the new Bar. One can see what it was like less
than ten years ago as one passes in the Karachi mail through
the desert skirting the youngest Canal Colony, not a vestige
of cultivation on either side: only sand hills and a barren
plain, dreariness unreclaimed save by the vivid mirage of
water and trees. How this blight and hideousness of land,
was redeemed by the miracle of the 20th century and what are
the consequences of this change form the scope of my thesis.
I have chosen what appears to me to be the notable features and grouped round them the circumstances which led to them and the consequences which came from them. It has not been possible, however, to mention all the noteworthy points in the development of different colonies and my apologies are, therefore, due for any partiality or neglect which I may appear to have done.
I have deliberately given much attention and large space to Chapter LV (on means of communications) as the prosperity of colonies very much depends upon the progress
and improvements effected in their means of communication
and I feel therefore no hesitation in quoting A. Smith, that
"improvement in the means of transport is the greatest of
all the agricultural improvements". Chapter V (on population
is meant to indicate the relation between migration of
population and canal irrigation. Chapters VL & VII (dealing
with depressed classes and the janglis respectively) are
important both from social and economic point of view. The
importance of Chapter VIII (unrocognised assets of the Canal
Irrigation) lies in its exposition or a few important effects which are generally overlooked by a superficial observer. Chapters XI (experiment of co-operative sale) is very important from the present day stand point and the Chapter XIII dealing with the problem or indebtedness has much bearing upon the Chapter XI. The latter is a remedy of the economic ills of indebtedness diagnosed in the former.
As for my appendices, I may submit that they form an
integral part of my thesis and therefore deserve a careful
perusal. Appendix "A" is based on an inductive enquiry
into the village No. 369 near Cora, district Lyallpur. The
usefulness of Appendix "B" lies in its reference to sufferings and hardships undergone by early colonists and also in its real story of a Sufaid Posh grantee.