Consider the group of $mn\times mn$ permutation matrices $\mathfrak{S}_{mn}$ and partition each such matrix $P$ into $n^2$ blocks of $m\times m$ matrices $Q_{i,j}$. Now, transpose each $Q_{i,j}$ (independently) to form a new $mn\times mn$ matrix denoted $P^t$ (with an abuse of notation). Let's construct the set $U_{mn}:=\{P^t\in\mathfrak{S}_{mn}:\, P\in\mathfrak{S}_{m,n}\}$. It's clear that if $m=1$ then $U_{mn}=\mathfrak{S}_{mn}$; the same if $n=1$. >**Question 1.** For which $m$ and $n$, does $U_{mn}$ form a group? >UPDATE. Negative answer shown below. A cute note: $\frac{\#\mathfrak{S}_{2n}}{\# U_{2n}}=C_n$ is the [Catalan number][1]. Is $\# U_{2n}$ a subgroup? **Answer.** No. See below. Another counterexample to the converse of [Lagrange's theorem][2]: $\# U_{2n}$ divides $\#\mathfrak{S}_{2n}$ but $U_{2n}$ is not a subgroup of $\mathfrak{S}_{2n}$. >**Question 2.** View $P\in U_{2n}$ as $P\leftrightarrow\sigma$ as a $1$-line permutation $\sigma=(\sigma_1,\dots,\sigma_{2n})$. In this way, what is an equivalent (to the above "transpose") characterization of $P$ in the language of $\sigma$? >UPDTE. Still open. If you're interested in enumeration then [visit here][3]. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_number [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange's_theorem_(group_theory) [3]: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/258625/transposing-unrimmed-permutations