Agrarian society in transition: modernisation, development and change- a case study of the potwar

Abstract

This study W<lS focused on aspects of social-cultural change in a village in the Potw<lr region, incorporating a period of fifty years and focusing on modernisation, development and chanr,c in rural Potwar. The nature of the study was both descriptive and exploratory. It was an in-depth micro level study based on ellmographic data and using anthropological methodology to link the past with the present whereby comparing the tradit iona l pallern of the people with the prcscnt status. The unit of 811alysis was the household. Research methodology was based on a field study, which included participant observntion, usc of key informants, socio-economic su rvey, und locus group discussion. Extensivc case studies werc collected as well as indepth interviews were conducted with the farmers of the area, women and the more senior members or elder members of the community. Data was elicited according to the objectives outlined based on social cultural and economic change through time, income, the agri cultural system, impact of technological innovation and mass media, male-out migration as well as the status of the returnee migrants. Hypotheses testing was done based on the variables formulated for the research. The study revealed that change in this particular communi ty was brought about due mainly to introd uction of new teclmology, which had greatly simplified faml work and brought about a substantial saving of time. Thus additional means of livelihood pat1icularly employment for men had become quite common. Most of the men werc employed in government jobs and the private sector. Proximity of Islamabad ancl Rawalpindi had further facilitated job opportunities. Pal1icularly noticeable was the role of women in the absence of males who took over the ngric ultlll'" I, soei"l ,\lld housdlOld responsibilities. 111 spite or the clement or ehnnge, the system of hil'Odari and religious values had a strong hold. Though forging ahead towards change. the enre of the central vn lue system was by "l1ei large still trnditional ,\lId these people a lways lookcd towards their roots and took great pride in their anccst ry.