Peace was maintained. Canals built between 1860 and 1920 brought about ten million acres of new land under the plough. Ownership of land passed more widely from a village community or a tribe to the individual farmer. His title to the land was recorded and preserved. The rate of land revenue was lowered even if collection was now more stringent. As Punjab’s agricultural production increased, so did the government’s revenue. British banks, ships and agencies handled India’s exports and imports, including Punjab’s exports of cotton, wheat and oilseeds. By controlling the rupee-sterling ratio and
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