Industrial Development in Punjab during Provincial Autonomy: 1937-47

Abstract

Until W.W-I, the Britain‘s attitude toward the growth of industry in the Punjab was hostile as they would want this province to remain predominantly agricultural. At the best, they favored those industries which would not come in conflict with the industries of Britain; rather would serve their interests.  But the Industrial Commission (1916-18) and the Fiscal Commission (1921-22) brought in a policy of discriminating protection.  The ruling Unionist Party attitude became somewhat pro-industrialization as the Britain had granted a few economic concessions during the War. Industries like Cotton, Steel, Consumer goods, Woolen Mills, Distilleries and Paper Making did make some headway. W.W-II created an urgent need for the growth of some key industries which raised the general index of output of the Large-scale industries. Since Punjab neither possessed capital goods industries nor had technical knowhow, their growth did not last long. All said, almost all types of industries excepting Flour and Rice Mills showed a negative % growth of Output Value.