The Anglo-Sikh Wars and Annexation of Punjab - Class VIII

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.

First Anglo-Sikh war was fought between the years 1845 – 1846. Between 1845 and 1849 Sikhs and British fought two battles. One battle was fought on 28th January at Aliwal and the other battle was fought on 10th February at Sobraon. These battles resulted in Treaty of Lahore.

Kohinoor diamond which was initially mined from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh was handed over to British after the first Anglo-Sikh war from Maharaja Duleep.

Treaty of Lahore did not last long and resignation of governor of Multan and disgraceful behaviour with queen mother led to the outbreak of war. Second Anglo-Sikh war broke out between the years 1848 and 1849.

The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846 after the First Sikh War.

• As a part of the treaty, Sikhs agreed to give away  Kashmir, Hazara and Jalandhar Doab to the British. 
  
• 1.5 Crore rupees was paid as war indemnity
  
• King agreed that he would not make an appointment to service without the consent of the British.
  
• The treaty also resulted in famous Kohinoor diamond falling into the hands of British.
  

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was invited to take control of Lahore by the prominent residents (citizens) of the city who were dissatisfied with the rule of the Bhangi Sardars.

The conquest of Lahore was a major turning point that established Ranjit Singh as a significant political power in the region and greatly enhanced his prestige and popularity.

The First Anglo-Sikh War between the British East India Company and Sikh Empire was fought from 1845 to 1846. It resulted in the victory of Britishers and ended with the signing of Treaty of Lahore in 1846. In the treaty, the Sikhs were made to surrender the valuable region (the Jullundur Doab) between the Beas River and Sutlej River.

Ranjit Singh was the founder and maharaja of the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab. He proclaimed himself as the "Maharaja of Punjab", and agreed to a formal ceremony, which was carried out by Baba Sahib Singh Bedi in 1801. His reign introduced reforms, modernisation, investment into infrastructure and general prosperity.

The Battle of Bhasin (1800) resulted in the defeat of the Bhangi Sardars without a major direct conflict, as they fled upon the arrival of Ranjit Singh's forces.

The Battle of Sobraon ended the First Sikh War. It resulted in the defeat of Sikh by East India Company. The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846 after the First Sikh War. As part of the treaty the Sikhs agreed to handover Kashmir and Hazara and Jalandhar Doab to the British.

The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846 after the First Sikh War. As part of the treaty, the Sikhs agreed to handover Kashmir and Hazara and Jalandhar Doab to the British. It was due to this treaty that Kohinoor diamond was handed to the British.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh accompanied his father, Mahan Singh, on the campaign of Sohdrah when he was ten years old.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh first invaded the Malwa region in 1806, following an invitation from the Raja of Nabha.