Punjab Legislative Assembly (British India)

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia

The Punjab Legislative Assembly was the legislature of the province of Punjab in British India. Established by British authorities in 1910, the assembly had nominal powers and a membership of mainly pro-British politicians and government officials. Voting was largely boycotted until the Government of India Act 1935 increased representation and the powers of the assembly.

First Council[edit]

The first Punjab Legislative Council was formed in 1921 fora t three-year term. The Council had 93 members, seventy per cent of whom were elected and rest nominated.[1]

An elected president presided over meetings of the Council. The first Punjab Legislative Council held 98 meetings between 8 January 1921 and 27 October 1923.[1]

Notable members included:

Second Council[edit]

The second Legislative Council was constituted on 2 January 1924 and held 102 meetings until it was dissolved on 27 October 1926.[2]

Sir Sheikh Abdul Qadir was the first elected and the first Muslim President of this Council. He resigned in September 1925 when he was appointed Minister for Education, and was succeeded by Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk.[2]

Notable members included:

  • Sir George Anderson (Director of Public Instruction, Punjab)
  • Herbert Alexander Casson (President)
  • Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk (President)
  • Sir Sheikh Abdul Qadir (President)
  • Manohar Lal (Lahore — Punjab University)
  • Sir Fazl-i-Husain (Minister for Education, Revenue Member — Muhammadan Landholders)
  • Sikandar Hayat Khan (Attock — Muhammadan, Rural)
  • Sundar Singh Majithia (Revenue Member)
  • John Maynard (Leader of the House, Finance Member)
  • Jogendra Singh (Sikh Landholders, Minister for Agriculture)
  • Chhotu Ram (South East Rohtak — Non-Muhammadan, Rural, Minister for Agriculture, Education)

Third Council[edit]

The third Legislative Council sat between 3 January 1927 and 26 July 1930, during which is held 111 meetings.[3] Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk was re-elected President on 4 January 1927.[3]

Notable members included:

  • Sir George Anderson (Director of Public Instruction, Punjab)
  • Sir Sheikh Abdul Qadir (Representative, General Interests)
  • Sir Henry Craik (Finance Member Government of Punjab)
  • Sir Geoffrey Fitzhervey de Montmorency (Finance Member to Government, Punjab)
  • Herbert Emerson (Secretary to Government Punjab, Finance Department)
  • Sir Fazl-i-Husain Revenue Member to Government Punjab
  • Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Lahore City — Muhammadan, Urban)
  • Sikandar Hayat Khan (Muhammadan — Landholders)
  • Manohar Lal (Punjab University) — Minister for Education
  • Feroz Khan Noon (Shahpur East — Muhammadan, Rural) — Minister for Local Self-Government
  • Chhotu Ram (Hissar — Non-Muhammadan, Rural)'
  • Sir Jogendra Singh (Sikh Landholders) — Minister for Agriculture
  • Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk (President)

Fourth Council[edit]

The fourth and the last Legislative Council was constituted on 25 October 1930 and held 197 meetings until it was dissolved on 17 November 1935.[4] Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk was reelected unopposed as President for a third term. He resigned when he was appointmed Minister for Education and was succeeded by Sir Chhotu Ram.[4]

Notable members included:

  • Sir George Anderson (Director of Public Instruction, Punjab)
  • Mazhar Ali Azhar (East and West Central Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)
  • Sir Henry Craik (Finance Member to Government, Punjab)
  • Mushtaq Ahmed Gurmani (Representative of General Interest)
  • Sir Fazl-i-Husain Minister for Education
  • Miles Irving (Finance Member, Minister Revenue previously worked as Financial Commissioner)
  • Sikandar Hayat Khan (Revenue Member to Government, Punjab)
  • Manohar Lal (Punjab University)
  • Shahnawaz Khan Mamdot (Representative of General Interest)
  • Feroz Khan Noon (Shahpur East — Muhammadan, Rural) — Minister for Education
  • Chhotu Ram (President)'
  • Sir Jogendra Singh (Sikh, Landholders — Minister for Agriculture)
  • Sir Shahab-ud-Din Virk (President)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Pre Punjab First synopsis". papmis.pitb.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Pre Punjab Second Synopsis". papmis.pitb.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Pre Punjab Third synopsis". papmis.pitb.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Pre Punjab Fourth synopsis". papmis.pitb.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.


Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other