Shifting Power and Political Dynamics in Colonial Punjab: An Analysis of 1937 and 1946 Provencial Legislative Assembly Elections

Abstract

This research paper undertakes a comparative study of the 1937 and 1946 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections to examine the transformation of power and politics in colonial Punjab during the final decade of British rule. The 1937 elections, conducted under the Government of India Act of 1935, consolidated the dominance of the Unionist Party, which represented agrarian interests across communal lines and upheld the colonial state’s patronage networks. By contrast, the 1946 elections marked a decisive political shift, as the Muslim League emerged victorious with overwhelming support from the Muslim electorate, while the Unionist Party faced significant decline. This paper highlights how shifting socio-economic conditions, communal mobilization, and the limitations of colonial constitutional reforms altered the political landscape of Punjab. It further argues that the 1946 verdict not only dismantled the Unionist coalition but also redefined Punjab’s role in the subcontinent’s politics, ultimately setting the stage for Partition in 1947. By analysing electoral data, party strategies, and communal alignments, this study contributes to the understanding of how electoral politics shaped the future polity of Punjab, revealing the deep intersections among colonial governance, identity politics, and the transformation of regional power structures.