From Sikh Misls to a Unified Kingdom

Before Ranjit Singh’s rise, Punjab was divided among Sikh misls—military and political groupings led by Sikh chiefs. In the late eighteenth century, the weakening of neighbouring powers created an opportunity for Ranjit Singh of the Sukarchakiya misl to consolidate his authority.

Ranjit Singh’s rise

• In 1799, Ranjit Singh became governor of Lahore under Zaman Shah of Afghanistan.
• He strengthened his position in central Punjab and brought Lahore under his control.
• By 1805, Jammu and Amritsar had also come under his rule.
• He built a powerful kingdom through military expansion, political alliances and the incorporation of different regional forces.

The Treaty of Amritsar (1809)

British concern about possible Franco-Russian expansion through the north-west encouraged diplomatic contact with Ranjit Singh. In 1807, Lord Minto sent Charles Metcalfe to Lahore to negotiate with him.

Why negotiations mattered

Ranjit Singh wanted recognition of his authority over the wider Sikh territories, including the cis-Sutlej or Malwa region. The British, however, wanted to limit his expansion east of the Sutlej.

Main significance of the Treaty of Amritsar

• Signed on 25 April 1809 between Ranjit Singh and the English East India Company.
• The Sutlej became the boundary between Ranjit Singh’s dominions and the Company’s sphere.
• It checked Ranjit Singh’s ambition to extend his authority over all Sikh territories on both sides of the river.
• Ranjit Singh subsequently directed much of his expansion westward, including Multan, Kashmir and Peshawar.

Political Instability after Ranjit Singh

Ranjit Singh died in June 1839. His death began a period of court intrigues, succession disputes and weakening political authority in Punjab.

Major developments

• Kharak Singh succeeded Ranjit Singh but proved ineffective; he died in 1839.
• Prince Nav Nihal Singh died in an accident after his father’s funeral, intensifying the succession crisis.
• Sher Singh became ruler but was murdered in 1843.
• Duleep Singh, a minor son of Ranjit Singh, was proclaimed Maharaja, with Rani Jindan as regent.
• Hira Singh Dogra and Jawahar Singh were removed amid court conflict; Lal Singh became wazir in 1845, and Teja Singh was appointed commander.

Weakening of the army and state

• Experienced commanders, including Hari Singh Nalwa, were no longer available.
• Irregular payment and the appointment of unsuitable officers contributed to discontent and indiscipline.
• British troop movements through Punjab during the Afghan campaigns caused disruption and heightened suspicion.

First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846)

Causes

1. Succession crisis: rivalry at the Lahore court weakened central authority after Ranjit Singh’s death.
2. Army–court tensions: the powerful Sikh army became increasingly involved in political affairs.
3. British military build-up: the growing number of English troops near the Punjab frontier created suspicion.
4. Regional context: British campaigns in Sindh, Gwalior and Afghanistan heightened Sikh concerns about expansionist intentions.

Immediate trigger

The Sikh army crossed the Sutlej on 11 December 1845. The Company treated this as an aggressive move and declared war. The deeper causes, however, included the wider political and military tensions described above.

The Five Major Battles

The First Anglo-Sikh War involved a series of hard-fought engagements. The Sikh forces suffered five successive defeats before Lahore fell to the British.

Lahore fell to British forces on 20 February 1846 without a fight. The war ended with the Treaty of Lahore in March 1846.

Treaty of Lahore (8 March 1846)

The defeat in the First Anglo-Sikh War forced the Sikh government to accept the Treaty of Lahore. Its terms significantly weakened Punjab’s independence.

Main provisions

• The Sikh government was required to pay a war indemnity of more than one crore rupees.
• The Jalandhar Doab, between the Beas and Sutlej rivers, was annexed to Company territory.
• A British Resident was to be established at Lahore under Henry Lawrence.
• The strength of the Sikh army was reduced.
• Duleep Singh was recognised as ruler, with Rani Jindan as regent and Lal Singh as wazir.

The Kashmir settlement

Unable to pay the full indemnity, the Sikh government ceded territories. Kashmir, including Jammu, was transferred to Gulab Singh for a payment of Rs 75 lakh to the Company. This transfer was formalised separately by the Treaty of Amritsar on 16 March 1846.

British Control Deepens in Punjab

Resentment persisted after the Treaty of Lahore, including over the Kashmir settlement. In December 1846, the Treaty of Bhairowal further reduced the autonomy of the Sikh government.

Main provisions

• Rani Jindan was removed as regent.
• A Council of Regency was established to govern Punjab.
• The council consisted of eight Sikh sardars.
• The British Resident, Henry Lawrence, presided over the council.

Why it matters

The arrangement placed the administration of Punjab under substantial British influence while Duleep Singh remained the nominal ruler. The settlement also contributed to continuing resentment among Sikhs.

Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849)

Causes of renewed conflict

• The defeat of 1845–1846 and the treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal were deeply resented.
• Rani Jindan’s removal and treatment as a pensioner added to Sikh resentment.
• Mulraj, governor of Multan, was replaced following a dispute involving the annual revenue demand.

The immediate cause: the Multan revolt

Mulraj revolted and killed two English officers who accompanied the new governor. Sher Singh was sent to suppress the revolt but joined Mulraj. The disturbance developed into a wider uprising, giving Lord Dalhousie an opportunity to pursue the complete annexation of Punjab.

Governor-General

Lord Dalhousie, who pursued an expansionist policy, was Governor-General during the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the annexation of Punjab in 1849.

Ramnagar, Chillianwala and Gujarat

Three major battles are highlighted in the account of the Second Anglo-Sikh War. British forces eventually defeated the Sikh army, which surrendered in 1849.

After the Battle of Gujarat, the Sikh army surrendered at Rawalpindi and its Afghan allies were driven out of India, according to the account in the source.

Annexation of Punjab and Its Significance

Results of the Second War

• The Sikh army and Sher Singh surrendered in 1849.
• Punjab was annexed by the British.
• A three-member board was established to govern Punjab, comprising Henry Lawrence, John Lawrence and Charles Mansel.
• In 1853, the board was abolished and Punjab was placed under a Chief Commissioner; John Lawrence became the first Chief Commissioner.

Significance of the Anglo-Sikh Wars

• They brought the independent Sikh kingdom to an end and extended British rule into Punjab.
• They demonstrated how internal political instability and British military pressure could combine to produce annexation.
• The wars also produced a mutual respect for the fighting capabilities of the two sides. The source notes that Sikhs later served on the British side during the Revolt of 1857 and in subsequent campaigns.

UPSC Practice: Anglo-Sikh Wars

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