UNIONIST PARTY AND PROVINCIAL MUSLIM LEAGUE IN COLONIAL PUNJAB: A STUDY OF COLLABORATION AND CONFRONTATION 1936-1947

Abstract

The dynamics between the Punjab Muslim League and the Punjab Unionist Party played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of colonial Punjab, particularly in the decade before independence. Understanding their collaboration and confrontation is essential to comprehending their power struggles. At the outset, the Unionist Party emerged as a staunch ally of the British, maintaining a significant presence in the Punjab legislature. Jinnah aimed to elevate the Punjab Muslim League's status during the 1937 elections, envisioning a coalition with the Unionists. The Unionists initially rebuffed this proposal. Yet, following their victory in the polls, they were open to allies. This partnership was dissolved by 1944, prompting the Punjab Muslim League to contest independently in the 1945 elections. Their triumph, securing most Muslim seats, marked a swift ascent from obscurity to preeminence in a decade. This article delves into the multifaceted factors that influenced the Unionist Party and the Punjab Muslim League's politics from 1936 to 1947.