PATTERNS OF EVERYDAY TECHNOLOGY: SMALL MACHINES IMPACTING LIFE IN COLONIAL PUNJAB

Abstract

Colonial Punjab in the late nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century was characterized by considerable socio-economic changes brought up by mostly due to the introduction and adoption of new everyday life technologies which impacted the life of the average person in both urban and rural areas. This research article elaborates the impact of novel technology of electricity and associated items like the electric fan and bulb and everyday machines of bicycle, sewing-machine and typewriter on the colonial Punjabi society. The article reveals that within a short span of time, electricity and everyday machines successfully perforated all sections and made life easier and comfortable for the general public in colonial Punjab. The bicycle and sewing machine and typewriter empowered people in general and women in particular, making them move freely and also helping them to earn livelihood. The Indian reform organizations started advocating sewing machine for Indian women’s upliftment. The successful assimilation of everyday western technologies was perhaps one of the best positive outcomes of colonialism which gives credibility to the fact that technology when used for welfare is always progressive.