Annexation of Punjab with special reference to the causes and consequences of the Anglo-Sikh wars
Sikh Wars, (1845–46; 1848–49), two campaigns fought between the Sikhs and the British. They resulted in the conquest and annexation by the British of the Punjab in northwestern India.
The first war was precipitated by mutual suspicions and the turbulence of the Sikh army. The Sikh state in the Punjab had been built into a formidable power by the maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled from 1801 to 1839. Within six years of his death, however, the government had broken down in a series of palace revolutions and assassinations. By 1843 the ruler was a boy—the youngest son of Ranjit Singh—whose mother was proclaimed queen regent. Actual power, however, resided with the army, which was itself in the hands of panchs, or military committees. Relations with the British had already been strained by the refusal of the Sikhs to allow the passage of British troops through their territory during the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838–42). Having determined to invade British India under the pretext of forestalling a British attack, the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej River in December 1845. They were defeated in the four bloody and hard-fought battles of Mudki, Firozpur, Aliwal, and Sobraon. The British annexed Sikh lands east of the Sutlej and between it and the Beas River; Kashmir and Jammu were detached, and the Sikh army was limited to 20,000 infantry and 12,000 cavalry. A British resident was stationed in Lahore with British troops.
The Second Sikh War began with the revolt of Mulraj, governor of Multan, in April 1848 and became a national revolt when the Sikh army joined the rebels on September 14. Indecisive battles characterized by great ferocity and bad generalship were fought at Ramnagar (November 22) and at Chilianwala (Jan. 13, 1849) before the final British victory at Gujrat (February 21). The Sikh army surrendered on March 12, and the Punjab was then annexed.
Annexation
Raja Ranjit Singh established an independent Sikh kingdom in Punjab. But after his death in 1839, the political turmoil and instability that visited Lahore watered the British appetite to expand into the Punjab. In the absence of any capable leadership, a situation existed that was highly vulnerable to interference from outside. As a result, two Anglo-Sikh wars were fought that sealed the fate of Sikh empire in the Punjab. Though very patriotic but less disciplined Sikh army could not withstand the onslaught of the British, the Punjab fell into the British hands and was annexed into the British empire in India. This annexation was not an isolated event but a sequel in the long chain of events following the death of Raja Ranjit Singh. It was, however, a demonstration of the deliberate act of wanton aggression on part of the British in India.
Marathas influence in the Punjab diminished to a great extent with Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasions but those of Sikhs remained strong. Punjab comprised of 36 areas of which 12 were the Sikh principalities known as Misl. Ranjit Singh united 22 under his rule while the rest were recognized as the British protectorates. He concluded the Treaty of Amritsar also known as the Treaty of Perpetual Friendship in 1809 with the company accepting their right beyond Sutlej. However, after his death in 1839, the political instability prevailed in the Punjab and rapid change of governments was witnessed. Therefore, the British started looking across the river Sutlej irrespective of the fact that they had signed the treaty accepting each other’s spheres.
Ranjit Singh’s successors proved incapable to handle the state affairs. His son Kharak Singh was dethroned after a few months. His successor Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh also could not last long. In 1841, Sher Singh was installed but by that time Khalsa , the Sikh army, had ballooned and had also multiplied its influence. Sher Singh could not go well with Khalsa. He was murdered by an army officer. After that, Jind Kaur, the youngest widow of Ranjit Singh, became regent of her son Duleep Singh. Her brother, Jawaher Singh, became Vazir but he was also murdered in September during an army parade. Jind Kaur vowed publically to take revenge of her brother’s death.
These unstable conditions encouraged the British to take advantage. They enhanced their military presence on the other bank of Sutlej and also annexed Sind in 1843. As the tension grew, their diplomatic relations were also broken. The company started moving towards Ferozpur that was followed by Sikhs crossing the Sutlej in December 1845. An encounter took place at Ferozpur where the Sikh army was routed completely though they demonstrated great courage and bravery. The treaty of Lahore was signed in March 1846. The Sikh had to surrender huge territories and an indemnity of 15 mn rupees. Failing to pay this heavy amount was to be compensated by cessation of Kashnir, Hazara, and some other places between Indus and Beas to the company. Daleep Singh was to continue as the ruler of the Punjab and her mother as the regent. However, at request of the council the company officials signed another treaty known as the Treaty of Bhyroval. This treaty provided the maharani a pension of 150000 but she was to be replaced by a British resident in Lahore aided by a Regency council. This gave them an effective control over the government.
Henery Lawerence became the resident but he fell ill and left for London. He was replaced by Sir Frederick Corrie. He adopted a stiff policy because of which the relations turned quite strained. As a result, the second Anglo-Sikh war broke out. Sher Singh revolted at Multan on September 14, 1848. The Sikhs repelled a British attack in the battle of Ramnagar. The war continued for sometime but the final battle took place at Gujrat where the Sikhs were utterly defeated and their power was razed to ground. On March 30, Daleep Singh held his court for the last time at Lahore at which he signed away all claim to the rule of the Punjab. In this way annexation of the Punjab was accomplished.
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