Biography of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Introduction

• Great warrior and leader
• Founder of the Sikh Empire
• Became Maharaja at just 19 years of age
• Provided excellent leadership despite blindness

Early Life

• Born into a prosperous family
• Learned everything at a very young age
• Took on the responsibility of the empire at the age of 12 after his father’s death
• Killed Habash Khan at the age of 13

Sikh and Mughal Relations

• Conflict between Sikhs and Mughals due to Aurangzeb’s policies
• Weakening of the Mughal Empire
• Reorganization and strengthening of the Sikhs

Important Battles

• Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
• Rise of the Maratha Empire
• Continuous struggle with Afghans (1813, 1823, 1834, 1837)

British Rule and Sikh Empire

• British dominance in India
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh adopted a policy of not fighting the British
• Boundary set at the Sutlej River
• Sikh Empire stood alone by not fighting against the British

Reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

• Communal harmony: support from Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims
• Leading army and administration
• Development in production and infrastructure
• Honest and capable cabinet
• Expansion and strengthening of the empire

Prosperous Empire

• Control over Punjab, Kashmir, Peshawar, and Multan
• Respect and inclusion of all religions
• Military and administrative systems
• Production and construction of weapons and equipment

Demise and Downfall

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away in 1839
• Succession struggles began
• British attacks and two Anglo-Sikh wars (1845-46, 1848-49)
• Sikh Empire came under British control

Conclusion

• The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was inspiring
• The empire disintegrated after his death
• Sikh Empire was the last independent empire to be subdued by the British