Emergence of missionaries in the doaba region of Punjab

This study examines the role of Christian missionaries in the Doaba region of Punjab during British colonial rule (1849–1947). With the arrival of groups such as the American Presbyterian Mission and the Church Missionary Society in the mid 19th century, Doaba became a focal point for evangelism, education, and social reform. While conversion was a central aim, the missionaries’ establishment of schools, hospitals, and vocational centres brought lasting changes to the region’s social and institutional landscape. Missionaries introduced Western style education and medical care, creating new opportunities for education and healthcare access, especially among Dalit and lower caste communities. Their work in literacy, vocational training, and public health contributed to social mobility and challenged traditional hierarchies. At the same time, missionary activities stimulated responses from local religious and social movements, leading to the growth of indigenous educational and reform initiatives. The colonial government’s relationship with the missions shifted over time, from early support to greater regulation after 1857. Despite periods of local resistance, missionary institutions left a durable legacy in Doaba’s educational infrastructure, public health systems, and social organization. This research argues that the missionary presence acted as a catalyst for both modernization and community based reform, shaping a complex socio religious landscape that continued to influence the region long after independence.