But the feudal system survived and has a destructive impact on prospects of social and political change in Sindh, such as low agricultural productivity and exhaustion of land. And in 1959, the Land Reforms Commission abolished jagirs. Thus, on Feb 8, 1955, this despotic system of control stood weakened with the cancellation of sanads by the Sindh government. In the Gazetteer of West Pakistan: the Former Province of Sindh including Khairpur State, H.T Sorley says that the then revenue commissioner, Sidney Ridley, advocated abolishment of jagirs on legal grounds after independence, the services of jagirdars were not required. This land distribution was criminal as it created rural slavery, bonded labour and free labour. Although it was clear that the abolition of jagirs would increase agricultural productivity and revenue for the British, Napier did not want to lose the political support of landlords. After the conquest of Sindh, Gen Charles Napier in 1843, displayed significant sympathy for indigenous jagirdars with the restoration of jagirs, which strengthened feudalism and blocked land reforms. The British used land as reward for loyalists, solidifying the jagirdari system. For centuries, land has played a pivotal role in Sindh`s power politics. Millions have yet to recover from last year`s monster monsoon floods. These have caused frequent harm to agricultural lands, livestock and entire human settlements, forcing the vulnerable to sink deeper into poverty. SINDH as the most vulnerable region of Pakistan, has braved climate-induced catastrophes.
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