Tag: british expansion in north india and sikhs contribution

Ranjit Singh was the  founder and maharaja of the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab. He was the leader of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. The formation of the empire started with his victory in Afghan-Sikh war and the unification of the separate Sikh misls.

The Lahore treaty was a peace treaty marking the end of the First Anglo-Sikh War. It was concluded between the East India Company and Maharaja Duleep Singh Bahadur. In this treaty both the parties (British and Sikhs) agreed to not shelter each other’s enemy and not interfere with each other’s affairs.

Lord Harding declared war on Punjab on 13th December 1845. Between 1845 to 1849 Sikhs and the British fought two wars. In the first war fought Punjab was defeated. But the Sikhs caused a reversal on 21st January 1846 when under the leadership of Ranjodh Singh and Ajit Singh they defeated the army of Harry Smith who led the English Army.

First Anglo-Sikh war was fought between the years 1845 – 1846. The war was fought between Sikh Empire and East India Company. This war was fought in Punjab. During this time Lord Harding was Governor General. During the war, Tej Singh became the commander of the army. He fled away fearing the English troops from the battle ground.

Lord Harding declared war on Punjab on 13th December 1845. Between 1845 and 1849 Sikhs and British fought two wars. In the first war, Punjab was defeated. But the Sikhs caused a reversal on 21st January 1846 when under the leadership of Ranjodh Singh and Ajit Singh they defeated the army of Harry Smith.

First Anglo-Sikh war was fought between the years 1845 – 1846. The war was fought between Sikh Empire and East India Company. This war was fought in Punjab. During this time lord Harding was Governor General. He declared war on Punjab on 13th December, 1845.

Second Anglo-Sikh war broke out between the years 1848 and 1849. After a huge blood shed the youngest son of Ranjit Singh, Dileep Singh took charge of Sikh empire in 1843 under the guidance of his mother, Queen Jindan. Soon Queen Mother Jindan was arrested and charged with treason and inciting other Sikhs. She was deposed. This disgraceful behaviour with queen mother led to the outbreak of war.

Treaty of Lahore did not last long and the resignation of the governor of Multan led to chaos in Punjab. To bring the situation under control two British Officers under Khan Singh were deputed to Multan but both the British officers were murdered there. Vans Agnew and Anderson were the two officers who were murdered in Multan. 

Following were the reasons for the outbreak of second Anglo-Sikh war.

• Sikhs were not happy with British ruling them.
  
• Treaty of Lahore did not last long and the resignation of the governor of Multan led to chaos in Punjab.
  
• Queen Mother Jindan was arrested and charged with treason for inciting other Sikhs. She was deposed. This disgraceful behaviour with queen mother led to the outbreak of war.
  

Second Anglo-Sikh war broke out between the years 1848 and 1849. On January 22, the Multan fortress was taken by General Wish, then he proceeded to Gujarat battle in which the Sikh army had to surrender at Rawalpindi, and their Afghan allies were chased out of India.