Abstract
The research paper mainly deals with last decade of British rule in India with special focus on the politics of the Punjab and Landed Aristocracy as a contributory factor in partition of India. The impression that economically powerful class attain political power in every society or region so having these powers the landed aristocracy of cross communal Unionist Party (which kept three major communities united for decades in Punjab) through allegiance to All India Muslim League, has been a contributory factor in partition of India, is the major argument of this research. Had landed aristocracy of the Punjab which assumed power and became ruler in Pakistan after independence played any intentional or unintentional role or contribution in partition of India? Landed aristocracy's role, Sikandar-Jinnah Pact of 1937, Lahore Resolution of 1940, inclination of landed aristocracy towards All India Muslim League, thirst for power, self-interest, mass pressure or economic opportunities, mutual cooperation with British ruler, political engineering by the British rulers, communal divide in the Punjab, decline of Unionist Party, Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs relationship, 1946 elections, partition of Punjab and India are main subjects of the paper. Partition of India is much debated subject but almost historians have written in broader context of overall India and the Punjab. This analytical study is important and original contribution because in this paper landed aristocracy of the Punjab has been explored as major or minor contributory factor in partition of India which earlier has not been studied by the historians specifically. This paper highlights this unique subject.