Social History of Epidemics in the Colonial Punjab

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Epidemics have historically posed significant challenges to both state and society, particularly in colonial India, with Punjab being notably affected. As a crucial agricultural and military recruitment region for the British Empire, Punjab experienced severe outbreaks that claimed countless lives. The British response was vigorous, often infringing on the privacy and religious beliefs of the local population. This work explores the dynamics between state interventions during epidemics and societal reactions, highlighting the complexities of public health measures in a colonial context.