Conguest of Punjab
the Sikhs
Consolidation of Punjab under
After the murder of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh,
Bahadur
a section of Sikhs under the leadership of Banda
revolted against the Mughals during the rule of
Bahadur Shan
and pu
in 1715, Banda Bahadur was defeated by Farrukhsiyar
became
to death in 1716. Thus, the Sikh polity, once again,
Expansion and Consolidation of British Power 115
leaderless and got divided into two groups-Bandai
later
Liberal) and Tat Khalsa (Orthodox). _This rift among the
followers ended in 1721 under the influence of Bhai Mani
Singh. Later, in 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria organised
the Sikhs under Dal Khalsa, with the objective of uniting
followers of Sikhism, politically, culturally, and economically.
was formed into two sections-
The whole body of the Khalsa
and Taruna Dal, the
Budha Dal, the army of the veterans,
the young.
arnmyof weakness of the Mughals and invasions of Ahmad
The
Shah Abdali created a general confusion and anarchy in
conditions helped the organised Dal
Punjab. These political
Khalsa to consolidate further. The Sikhs consolidated in
misls, which were military brotherhoods with a democratic
set-up. Misl is an Arabic word which means equal or alike.
Another meaning of Misl is State. During the period, 1763
to 1773, many misls started to rule the Punjab region under
Sikh chieftains, from Saharanpur in the east to Attock in the
west, from the mountaineous regions of the north to Multan
in the suth.
Sukarchakiya Misl and Ranjit Singh
At the time of the birth of Ranjit Singh (November 2, 1780),
here were 12 important misls-Ahluwaliya, Bhangi,
Dallewalia, Faizullapuria, Kanhaiya, Krorasinghia, Nakkai,
Nishaniya, Phulakiya, Ramgarhiya Sukharchakiya, and
Shaheed. The central administration of a misl was based on
Gurumatta Sangh, which was essentially a political, social,
and economic system. Ranjit Singh was the son of Mahan
Singh, the leader of the Sukarchakiya misl. Mahan Singh died
when Ranjit Singh was only 12 years old. But Ranjit Singh
showed an early acumen at political affairs. Towards the close
of the 18th century, all the important misls (except
ukarchakiya) were in a state of disintegration. Afghanistan
Was also engulfed in a civil war due to a power struggle which
went on for the next three decades. These events in the
NCgnbouring regions were fully exploited by Ranjit Singh,
wno followed a ruthless policy of 'blood and iron' and carved
out for himself a kingdom in the central Punjab. In 1799,
Ranjit Singh was appointed as the governor of Lahore by
of Modern India
116 A Brief History
Zaman Shah, the ruler of Afghanistan.
1805, Ranjit
In s:
thus, the political
Jammu and Amritsar, and,
acquired (Amritsar) of Punjab
(Lahore) and religious capital also0 maintained
He
under the rule of Ranjit Singh.
the Nepalese and enlisted
relatons with the Dogras and
in his army.
the English
Ranjit Singh and Franco-Russian invasion of I
The prospects of a joint English. In 1807
through the land-route had alarmed the Lord
Minto sent Charles Metcalfe to Lahore. Ranjit Singh ofer
an offensive and defens
to accept
Metcalfe's proposal of
that the English would rem
alliance on the condition
and would
emain
consid.
neutral in case ot
a Sikh-Arghan war
Ranjit Singh the sovereign of the eniire Pünjab, includingt
territories. iowever, negotiati ns
the
Malwa (cis-Sutiej)
failcd. In the changed political scenario i which the
Napoleonie danger receded and the English became ore
assertive, Ranjit Singh agreed to sign the Ireaty of Amitsar
(April 25, 1809) with the Company
Treaty of Anritsar
The Treaty of Amritsar was signiticant for its mmediateas
well as potential effects. It checked one vf the most
cherished ambitions of Ranjit Singh to extend his rule over
the entire Sikin ination by acceplung the river Sutlej as the
boundary line for his dominions and the Company's. Now
he direcied his energies towards the west and captured Multan
(18181. Kashmir (1819), and Peshawar (1834).
in June 1838, Ranjit Singh was compelied by politicd
compuisions to sign the Tripartite Treaty with the English,|
however, he relused to give passage to the British anu
through his terr:iories to attack Dost Mohammad. the Alg
Amir.
The relations of Raja Ranjit Singh with the Compauy
from 1809 to 1839, clearly indicate the former s
Sition
position. Although he was conscious of his weak po
he took no step to organise a coalition of other Indian pr June
or maintain a balance of power. Ranjit Singh died eInofh
1839, and, with his death, the process of the decim
empire began.
and Consolidation of British Power * 117
Evpansion
Punjab After Ranjit Singh
Court Factions
Beginning of
and successor, Kharak
Ranjit Singh's only legitimate son
and during the brief period of his
Singh, was not efficient, Kharak Singh's sudden
reign, court factions became active.
death in 1839 and the accidental death offrom his son, Prince
his father's
Nau Nihal Singh (when he was returning
situation in Punjab. Plans and
funeral), led to an anarchic
various groups to capture the throne of
counter plans of
action by the
Lahore provided an opportunity Tor decisive
English. The army-the topillar of the Sikh siate-was far less
strong than it appeared be. Ranjit Singh's able generals
Mokham Chand, Dewan Chand, Hari Singh Nalwa, and Ram
discontent was growing
Dayal-were already dead. Already ol payment. The
among the troops as result oI irTegularity
a
led to indiscipline. The
appointm ent of unworthy officers with
Lahore government, continuing the policy of friendsiuip
the English company, permitted the British Iroops to pass
through its territory--once, when they were fleeing from
back to
Atghanistan, and again, when they were marching
narches resulted
Afghanistan to avenge their defeat. These
in commotion and economic dislocation in Punjab.
Rani Jindal and Daleep Singh
After the death of Nau Nihal Singh, Sher Singh, another son
of Ranjit Singh succeeded, but he was murdered in late 1843.
Soon alterwards, Daleep Singh, a minor son of Ranjit Singh,
and
Was preclaimed the Maharaja with Rani Jindan regent
as
Hira Singh Dogra as wazir. Hira Singh himself fell a victim
O a court and was murdered in 1844. The new wazir,
intrigue
Wahar Singh, the brother of Rani Jindan, soon incurred the
and put to death
reasure of the army and was deposedwon over the army
1845. Lal Singh, a lover of Rani Jindan,
year, and Teja
onis side and became the wazir in the sanie the torces.
ogn was appointed as the commander of
First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-45)
Causes
Outbreak of the first of the Anglo-Sikh wars has been
C d to the action of the Sikh army crossing the KIver
India
118 A Brief History of Modern
Surlej on December 11, 1845. This was seen as an aggressive
the justification t
manoeuvre that provided the English with
declare war. The causes were, however, much more complex
and may be listed as follows:
(i) the anarchy in the Lahore kingdom tollowing the
death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh resulting in a power
struggle for domination between the court at Lahore
and the ever-powerful and increasingly local amny:
(i:) suspicions amongst the Sikh army arising from
English military campaigns to achieve the annexation
of Gwalior and Sindh in 1841 and the campaign in
Afghanistan in 1842; and
(iii) the increase in the number of English troops being
stationed near the border with the Lahore kingdom.
Course of War
The war began in December 1845, with 20,000 to 30,000
troops in the British side, while the Sikhs had about 50,000
men under the overall command of Lal Singh. But the
treachery of Lal Singh and Teja Singh caused fíve successive
defeats to the Sikhs at Mudki (December 18, 1845)
Ferozeshah (December 21-22, 1845), Buddelwal, Aliwal
(January 28, 1846), and at Sobraon (February 10, 1846).
Lahore fell to the British forces on February 20, 1846
without a fight.
Treaty of Lahore (March 8, 1846) The end of he
first Anglo-Sikh War forced the
Sikhs to sign a humiliating
treaty on March 8, 1846. The main features of the TreatyY
of Lahore were as follows:
War indennity of more than I crore rupees was
be given to the
English.
The Jalandhar Doab
was annexed to the
(between the Beas and the Sutie)
Company's dominions
A British resident was to be established at Lano
under Henry Iawrence.
.The strength of
the Sikh ammy was reduced.
Daleep Singh was
recognised as the ruler under eani
Jindan as
regent and Lal
Sincç the Sikhs Singh as wazir. war
were not able to
pay the enuSneh
indemnity, Kashmir, including Jammu, was sold ingh
to Gulab >s
xpansion and Consolidation of British Power
Exp 119
he was required to pay 75 lakh rupees to the
And
orice.
the price. The transfer of Kashmir to
Gulab Singh
Company
malised by a separate treaty on March 16, 1846. was
Treaty of Bhairowal The Sikhs were not satisfied with
the Treaty of Lahore over the issue of Kashmir, so
belled. In December, 1846, the Treaty of Bhairowal they
ined, According to the provisions of this treaty, Rani was
removed as regent and a council of regency for Jindan
was set up. he council consisted of 8 Sikh
Puniab
sardars presided
over by the English Resident, Henry Lawrence.
Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49)
Causes
The defeat in the first
Anglo-Sikh War and the provisions
ofthe treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal were
for the Sikhs. Inhuman treatment meted highly humiliating
out to Rani
who was sent to Benares as a Jindan,
resentment of the Sikhs. pensioner, added to the
Mulraj, the governor of
Sikh governor over the issue Multan, was
replaced by a new
of increase in annual
Mulraj revolted and murdered two revenue.
2ccompanying the new governor. Sher Singh English officers
suppress the revolt, but he himself was sent to
a mass uprising in Multan. This joined Mulraj, leading to
mmediate cause of the war. The could be considered as the
then Governor General of
India, Lord Dalhousie, a
pretext to annex hardcore expansionist,
Punjab got the
Course of War completely.
ord
Dalhousie
werTe himself proceeded to Punjab. Three important
battles were
aes
These three fought before the final annexation of Punjab.
battles were:
0) Battle of Ramnagar, led by Sir
Commander-in-chief of the Hugh Gough, the
Company
) Battle of Chillhanwala,
iu) Battle of January, 1849
rendered ujarat, Fetbruary 21, 1849; the Sikh am1y
chase
chased at
Rawalpindi, and their Afghan allies arnny
of R out of India.
River Jhclum.) were
(Gujarat is a small town on the banks
120 A Brief History of Modern India
Result At the end of the war came:
surrender of the Sikh army and Sher Singh in 1840.
annexation of Punjab; and for his services the Ear
of Dalhousie was given the thanks of the British
Parliament and a promotion in the peerage, s
Marquess;
setting up of a three-member board to govern Puniah
comprising o f the Lawrence .brothers (Henry and
John) and Charles Mansel.
In 1853, the board was nullified and Punjab was placed
under a chief commissioner. John Lawrence became the firt
chief commisioner.
Significance of the Anglo-Sikh Warss
The Anglo-Sikh wars gave thetwo sides a mutual respect for
each other's fighting prowess. The Sikhs were to fight loyally
on the British side in iiie Revolt of 1857 and in many other
campaigns and wars uptil the Indian independence in 1947
Extension of British
Paramountcy Througgh
Administrative Policy
The process of imperial expansion and consolidation of
British paramountcy was carried on by the Company during
the 1757-1857 period through a two-fold method: (a) policy
of annexation by conquest or war; and (6) policy of annexation
have
by diplomacy and administrative mechanis1ns. We
already discussed how the Company defeated and subjugated,
one by one, the major Indian powers like Bengal, Mysore,
the Marathas, and the Sikhs, mainly by waging wars agains
case of
them and through considerable deceit. But in the
other the British applied diplomatic and
many
many powers,
administrative policies. In this context, we may cite examp
of Warren Hastings' 'ring-fence' policy, Wellesley'sof system
of "subsidiary alliance', and Dalhousie's *doctrine
laps
to see how the British dominion expanded in India.
The Policy of Ring-Fence
Warren Hastings took charg: as the governor genera
critical of British rule when the British were
period
