The First Anglo-Sikh War the First Anglo-Sikh War Was Fought Between the British Forces and the Sikh Empire in 1845-46 in Punjab
The First Anglo-Sikh War The first Anglo-Sikh war was fought between the British forces and the Sikh Empire in 1845-46 in Punjab. Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Reign: 1801 – 1839) • Born in 1780 to the leader of the Sukerchakiamisl of the Sikh confederacies in Pakistani Punjab. • United 12 Sikh misls and subjugated other local kingdoms to become the ‘Maharaja of Punjab’ in 1801. • Successfully resisted many Afghan invasions and also captured areas under them like Lahore, Peshawar and Multan. • Earned the title ‘Sher-i-Punjab’ (Lion of Punjab). • After occupying Lahore in 1799, it became his capital. • His Sikh Empire included lands to the north of the Sutlej River and South of the north- western Himalayas. His Empire included major towns like Lahore, Multan, Srinagar (Kashmir), Attock, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Jammu, Sialkot, Amritsar and Kangra. • He maintained friendly relations with the British. • He had men from different races and religions in his army. • His maintained an army very efficient in warfare, logistics and infrastructure. • After his death in 1839, there was a struggle for succession among his many relatives. This marked the process of disintegration of the Empire. • He was succeeded by his eldest legitimate son Kharak Singh. First Anglo-Sikh War (1845 – 1846) • Major Broad was placed in Amritsar as the East India Company’s agent in 1843. • The British were closely watching the developments in the Punjab political front and had territorial ambitions there as in other parts of the subcontinent.
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• The Sikh forces crossed the Sutlej in December 1845 and took offensive positions against the English forces. • Subsequently, battles were fought in different places and the English victory at Sobraon led to the signing of the Lahore Treaty in 1846 which ended the war. Treaty of Lahore, 1846 • Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was the ruler of Punjab was to remain its ruler with his mother Jindan Kaur as regent. • The Sikhs had to cede the Jallandhar Doab to the British. • The Sikhs were also asked to pay a very huge war indemnity to the English. But since they could not pay all of it, part of it was paid and to make up for the remaining, Kashmir, Hazarah and all territories between the Beas and the Indus Rivers were given to the English. • The Sikhs were to limit their army to a certain number. • Also, a British Resident, Sir Henry Lawrence was appointed to the Sikh court. The Second Anglo-Sikh War The second Anglo-Sikh war was fought between 1848 and 1849. This war led to the complete control of Punjab by the British. This area was later to become the North-Western Frontier Province. Causes of the Second Anglo-Sikh War • The humiliation caused by the first Anglo-Sikh war wherein the Sikh Empire had lost some territories to the British East India Company. • The Sikh regent, Maharani Jindan Kaur was not treated properly by the British. • She was removed from Lahore on conspiracy charges against the British resident in Lahore. • Multan was a part of the Sikh Empire when Maharaja Ranjit Singh had captured it in 1818. • Multan was governed by Dewan Mulraj. He resented the Lahore Court’s (capital of the Sikh Empire but controlled by the British resident since the first Anglo-Sikh war) demand for increased tax assessment and revenues. www.pragnyaias.com 7288081111
• The British Resident at that time was Sir Frederick Currie. He undermined Mulraj and imposed another governor SardarKahan Singh along with a British agent Patrick Vans Agnew. • In 1848, Vans Agnew and another officer who arrived in Multan to take charge were murdered by Mulraj’s troops. • This news led to unrest in Punjab and many Sikh soldiers joined the rebel forces against the British.
Course of the Second Anglo-Sikh War • Battles were fought in Ramnagar and Chilianwala. • The battle at Ramnagar was indecisive whereas the Sikhs won at Chilianwala. • The final battle was fought at Gujrat near Chenab (not the present Indian state Gujarat) in 1849. This was won by the British forces. • The Afghan forces under Dost Mohammad Khan had joined the Sikhs’ side. Results of the Second Anglo-Sikh War • Punjab was annexed by the British in March 1849 (under Lord Dalhousie) as per the Treaty of Lahore. • The eleven year-old Maharaja, Duleep Singh was pensioned off to England. • Jind Kaur was separated from her son the Maharaja, and taken to Firozpur. Her allowance was reduced to a meagre amount and her jewels and money confiscated. • Sir John Lawrence was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner of Punjab to take care of the administration. • Dalhousie was recognised for his role in the annexation of Punjab to the British and was made a Marquis. • The famous Koh-i-noor diamond went into British hands. It was in possession of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had willed it to the PuriJagannath Temple of Odisha but his will was not
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executed by the British. They say it was acquired as part of the Treaty of Lahore after the second Anglo-Sikh war.
ANGLO-SIKH WAR MAINS
The Conquest of Punjab: Expansion of British Power in Punjab Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth as well as the last Guru of Sikhs who had transformed the religious sect of Sikhism into a military brotherhood. After the invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdali and Nadir Shah, the Sikhs consolidated their military strength in midst of confusion and disorder after invasion. This led to emergence of Sikh power aided by strong military.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1792-1839): He is considered to be greatest Indian ruler in his time who founded Sikh rule in Punjab. He occupied Lahore in 1799 to make Lahore his capital. Thereafter he conquered Amritsar, Ludhiana, Kangra, Multan, Kashmir, Attock, Hazara, Bannu, Peshawar and Derajat. After laying strong foundation of Sikh rule in large parts around Punjab, he died in 1839 which led to struggle for succession. After the death of Ranjit Singh there was anarchy in Punjab. The Sikh Kingdom saw begining of process of disintegration when Kharak Singh, the eldest son and successor of Ranjit Singh and his only son Naunihal Singh (grandson of Ranjit Singh) were killed in 1840. Thereafter Sher Singh, another son of Ranjit Singh was successful with help of the Sikh army in proclaiming himself the Maharaja in January 1841 but he too was assassinated in 1843. In September 1843 Duleep Singh, youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was proclaimed the Maharaja of Sikh Kingdom with Rani Jindan as regent and Hira Singh Dogra as Wazir (who was murdered later).
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The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) Since the British were closely watching the developments in Punjab and had their eyes on the fertile plains across the other side of Sutlej, they began engaging Sikh troops. With the appointment Major Broad as Company’s Agent in 1843 at Ludhiana for Sikhs affairs then worsened Anglo-Sikh relations. The British moves and preparations alarmed the Sikh troops which crossed the Sutlej in December, 1845 and took offensive position against the English troops. Henceforth, battles were fought at Mudki, Ferozeshah and Aliwal. To settle the issue the final battle of Sobraon (10 Feb, 1848) proved decisive in first Anglo Sikh War. After victory at Sobraon, the English army occupied Lahore and dictated peace terms. Therefore, the First Anglo-Sikh Battle ended by the Treaty of Lahore (1846). In the treaty of Lahore, Dalip Singh, was recognized as Raja and the Jullandur Doab was added to the British territory, it also limited the Sikh army to a specified number and most importantly a British Resident (Sir Henry Lawrence) was appointed to assist the Sikh Council of Regency. The British imposed a heavy war indemnity amounting one and half crores rupees on the Lahore durbar. Out of this, Half a crore was paid, and in lieu of the balance war indemnity Lahore durbar offered to cede territory of Kashmir.
The Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849): After a few months after the treaty of Lahore, Rani Jindan and Lai Singh realised the true intentions of the English Company. The major causes for Second Anglo Sikh War were :
• The Sikh Sardars were discontent with the British control over Punjab, • The Sikh army wanted to avenge their humiliation in the first war • The treatment of Rani Jindan by the British when she was removed from Lahore to Shekhupura on charges of conspiracy against the British Resident.
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• The immediate cause for the English Company’s invasion of the Punjab was the revolt of Mulraj, the Governor of Multan. In the second Anglo Sikh War a large army under command of Lord Gough fought an indecisive battle at Ramnagar in November 1848. Next, at battle of Chilianwala in January, 1849 the Sikh soldiers won with glory. The final and decisive battle at Gujrat near Chenab was won by the English in 1849. This war resulted in the annexation of Punjab. In March 1849, Lord Dalhousie annexed Punjab under the Treaty of Lahore and pensioned off Dalip Singh to England along with his mother Rani Jindan. Sir John Lawrence became the first Chief Commissioner of Punjab to look after administration of Punjab. Therefore, Punjab became a British province. Although Patiala and some other small states retained their rulers after recognizing sovereignty of the British. The second Anglo Sikh War ended with British conquest of Punjab. Write a Short note on the Causes and Results of First Anglo-Sikh War (150 Words)-- 5M CAUSES AND RESULTS OF FIRST ANGLO SIKH WAR After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his successors proved to be weak and incapable administrator. Due to their weak administration, factionalism broke out in the Lahore state. The Britishers took advantage of it and fought two anglo-sikh wars. The first Anglo-Sikh war took place in 1845-46 A.D. The following are the causes behind the outbreak of First Anglo-Sikh War : 1.The British Policy of Encirclement of Lahore Lahore Kingdom : The British began the siege of Lahore state during the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. With this objective, they captured Ferozepur in 1835 A.D. In 1838 A.D., they established a military cantonment there. The Maharaja objected to this policy of the Britishers. Even the sardars of Lahore darbar opposed to this policy openly. 2.Anarchy and Revolts in Punjab after Ranjit Singh :
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After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, restlessness and anarchy prevailed. It was so because his successors Kharak Singh, Naunihal Singh, Rani Jindan Kaur, and Sher Singh proved to be weak and feeble rulers. Due to their weakness, the sardars in the darbar began to conspire against each other. The Britishers wanted to take advantage of this situation. 3.Disastrous Failure of the British in the First Afghan War : After the end of first Anglo-Afghan war in November, 1841 A.D, the Afghans revolted against the British under the leadership of Mohammad Akbar Khan, son of Dost Khan. The Britishers were unsuccessful in suppressing the rebels. The British Commanders Burns and Maccnatan were killed. With the failure of the Britishers,the Sikhs were inspired to fight a war against the Britishers. 4.Annexation of Sindh by the British: After the end of the Afghan war, Ellenborough decided to annexe Sindh. Although the Amirs of Sindh had always been sincere with the Britishers, even then on the direction of Ellenborough, Charles Napier levelled charges on the Amirs of Sindh and declared war against them. After defeating the Amirs, he annexed the province of Sindh in March, 1843. The Sikhs were convinced that the Britishers wanted to occupy Punjab and that is why they had surrounded Punjab. 5.Ellenbourough's Plan to Conquer Punjab : After annexing Sindh and Kaithal in British Empire and weakening the power of Gwalior, Ellenborough made a plan to capture Punjab. He started military preparations to materialize this plan. The Sikhs also started preparations for war when they came to know about It. 6.Appointment of Lord Hardinge As Governor General : In July, 1844 A.D., Lord Hardinge was appointed Governor General of India in place of lard Elienborough. Hardinge was a famous commander. With his appointment, the Sikhs became suspicious that Ellenborough has been deliberately called back to London and in his place a famous commander has been sent to India so that he can successfully fight with Me Sikhs.
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7.Military Preparations of the British : Following the policy of Ellentorough, Lord Harding continued military preparations to fight against the Sikhs. He increased the number of soldiers and cannons on the boundaries of Punjab. To make a bridge of Thaw over the river Satluj, the boats were built in Mumbai (Bombay). The military preparations made by the British proved that they did not want to fight a defensive war, rather an ofaznsive war with the Sikhs. 8.The Question of Suchet Singh's Treasure : The Dogra chief Suchet Singh was in the service of Lahore Durbar. In 1844 A.D., he died and left a treasure of Rs. 15 lakhs at Feroaepur. Since Suchet Singh had no son, the Lahore Government asserted Its right over the treasure. But the Britishers wanted to settle the claim through court. This made the Sikhs suspicious of the British intentions. 9.Disagreement Over the Village Mowran : Village Mowran was situated in Nabha state. This village was given to Maharaja Ranjit Singh by Jaswant Singh, the ruler of Nabha.The Maharaja gave this village to DhannaSingh.In 1843 AD, the ruler of Nabha, Devendra Singh became angry with Dhanna Singh. He took back village Mowran from Dhanna Singh. The Lahore Government opposed it but the BrItishersfavoured the ruler of Nabha who was under their protection. The Sikhs did not like this act. 10.Measures taken by Broadfoot Against the Sikhs : In November, 1844 A.D, Major Broadfoot was appointed representative of British at Ludhiana. He hated the Sikhs. His action against the Sikhs irritated the Sikh community and they got agitated against the Britishers. 11.Instigation of the Sikh Army by Lal Singh and Tej Singh : In September 1845 A.D, Lal Singh became the Prime Minister of Lahore Kingdom. Tej Singh was appointed the chief of the army. By that time,the power of Sikh army had increased manifold. All the important decisions of the Kingdom were taken by the army. Lal Singh and
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Tej Singh were scared of the army. Secretly, both the sardars joined the British Government. In order to weaken the Sikh army they instigated it against the Britishers Declaration of War by Governor General : The above causes clarify that the Britishers wanted to fight against the Sikhs. On December 13,1845, Governor General lord Hardinge declared first anglo-sikh war against the Sikhs. Results/Treaty of Lahore (9 March, 1846) after First Anglo-Sikh War:
• The Sikhs were defeated in the First Anglo-Sikh War and were compelled to sign the Treaty of Lahore in 1846. • A large part of the Sikh territories, including the fertile stretch of the Doab region of Jalandhar, came under the control of the Company. • The region of Kashmir was sold off to the Dogra chief Gulab Singh. • The Sikh army had to be drastically reduced. • A British Resident had to be instated at the Lahore court and a big British force was also stationed in Punjab. • Rani Jindan was removed according to another treaty concluded in 1846. The British Resident was handed over full responsibility of the administration of Punjab and was officiated as the trustee of the Maharaja Duleep Singh.
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