Punjabi society in the early Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The present study focuses on the society in the Punjab during the early nineteenth century. Society was simple and traditional marked by social differentiation of caste and class. It describes the important institutions of the society like caste, family and marriage. Most of the castes were associated with specific areas or locations. People lived in joint families and gave importance to kinship, bhaichara and followed the decisions of the panchayat in their localities. The study describes the daily routine of the Punjabi people and the time spent on daily basis on the different activities by men and women. It outlines the activities of individuals in his/ her daily life. It also talks about the superstitions that made many changes in the daily routine of the people. It discusses how weddings or fairs provided a diversion to daily life of the people and they were felt refreshed. The monotony everyday life was broken by the arrival of the established fairs in each doabs. Religion was a significant part of society and it deals with the varied sacred places in Punjab in the early nineteenth century. The study identifies the various religious places considered important in the early nineteenth century and the beliefs and practices attached to them. It looks at the Hindu and Muslim religious places, Sikh religious sites and popular religious places. It talks about the etiquettes followed by the people and looks at the noble work done by the people of Punjab for the society; it also looks at the knowledgeable persons, who lived in the Punjab and inspiration for the other people. Society gave value to social work and help to fellow beings. Persons who constructed wells, religious places, fed the travelers and poor, provided bridges and water to people were considered worthy of respect. Eminent persons contributed to social welfare to perpetuate the name of their family. On the whole, society was governed by the set social norms and patterns of behavior and very few would step outside the demarcated boundaries.