The Anglo Sikh wars and annexation of the Punjab
By Madan, 5th Feb 2012 | Follow this author
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The Anglo Sikh wars were the toughest test for the British and formed the basis of the Sikhs being declared as a martial race
- The Seeds of War
- Anarchy in The Lahore Durbar
- First Anglo Sikh War
- The Second Sikh War and Annexation of the Punjab
The Seeds of War
Emily Eden is a well known name in English literature as a poet and writer. She was the sister of Lord Eden, the first earl of Auckland, who was Governor General of India (1835-42). She kept house for her brother in India for 6 years. She has stated that when Ranjit Singh died “This great kingdom which he has raked together, will probably fall to pieces again.”
Her observation was propitious as after the death of Ranjit Singh of a stroke in the hot summer of 1839, the men who succeeded him were not of his caliber. There was no orderly succession and the Lahore durbar became a centre of anarchy. In real terms the administrative system which had been ushered in by Ranjit Singh collapsed and the Khalsa army became a law unto itself.
Anarchy in The Lahore Durbar
Control of the army passed into the hands of middle level soldiers and the officers lost control over their men. The army thus degenerated into an unruly armed mob. One reason was that the army was not paid and the second were the intrigues and machinations going into the court.
The Foreign mercenary soldiers and generals like Jean-François Allard Italian (Modena),Paolo Di Avitabile – Italian (Naples) and Claude August Court – French all left. There were also 2 American generals Josiah Harlan – American general and later governor of Gujrat and Alexander Gardner – American (Scotch – Irish).
The death of Ranjit saw the Lahore court become a centre of instability as can be seen from the succession of rulers who emerged after the death of Ranjit Singh
a) Ranjit Singh was succeeded by his eldest son Kharak Singh. He was poisoned to death on November 5, 1840
b) Nau Nihal Singh the claimant to the throne and elder son of Kharak Singh was killed on November 6, 1840 while returning from the funeral of his father
c) The second son Sher Singh took the throne, but was deposed after 23 days and the widow of Kharak Singh was proclaimed Malika Mukadas (empress) on 2 Dec 1840. She was deposed and killed on Sept 15, 1843.
d) Maharajah Dalip Singh then only 5 years old was anointed Maharaja with his mother Rani Jindan as queen regent.
This entire period resembled the last days of the Roman Empire and murder and mayhem ruled the court.
The Sikh Army backed various claimants to the throne and Rani Jindan thought it better to turn the energy of the army to fight the British. By 1845 the British who had been observing the entire scenario thought it ripe time to take the Punj
First Anglo Sikh War
The British now prepared for action and encamped on the Sikh border on the banks of the Sutlej River. They brought in reserve troops from other parts of India. They also constructed a pontoon bridge and boats were brought in from Bombay.
In the meantime the maharani fed up of the mutinous Sikh army held a war council meeting with Gulab Singh and the two of the Brahmin generals of the Sikh army.
These 3 men decided there was no future in fighting for the Lahore court and entered into negotiation with the British. Their offer was simple: they promised to betray the Sikhs to defeat and in return they desired to be rewarded with kingdoms from the annexed Punjab. In the war council meeting they proposed that the Sikh army attack the British.
On February 10, 1846, the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej and the First Sikh war commenced. This was the battle of Mudki and the Sikhs could have very well won the battle. The Sikh general Labh Singh deserted the army and a rudderless Sikh force was not given proper direction. The Sikhs lost the precious initial advantage, but they mauled the British in the early days of the first battle.
Reinforcements promised by their commanders to finish off the British army, never came and Instead of gunpowder, sack loads of sand and grain were sent. This had its effect and a certain victory ended as a stalemate.
The next battle was fought at Frozshah. Despite the retreat of their generals, the Sikhs fought on leaderless. The result was inconclusive and it is on record that 2,331 British died in this battle. The British were close to complete surrender. This has been recorded by Robert Cuts the assistant to the political agent at Ludhiana
However, three more battles were fought, at Aliwal, Baddoval and at Sabraon, the
the Sikhs were beaten.
The treaty of surrender was signed on March 11, 1846. One half of Punjab was annexed and a British Resident with a small force was stationed at Lahore. The betrayal of the generals was duly rewarded. Gulab Singh was made the Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir
. James Dalhousie, the new British governor general of India wrote: “The task before me is the utter destruction and prostration of the Sikh power, the subversion of its dynasty and the subjection of its people. This must be done promptly, fully and finally”
The Second Sikh War and Annexation of the Punjab
The scene was set for the Second Sikh war. The garrison at Multan rebelled and the second Sikh war commenced. The major battle of the campaign was fought at Chillianwala on January 13 1849. The British suffered the worst reverse ever to take place in their history in India. The defeat at Chillianwala resulted in the removal of general Gough as commander and Charles Napier was recalled from England to command the British army. However before he arrived Gough redeemed himself by winning the battles at Gujarat and Ramnagar.
On March 10, 1849 the fighting ceased and the state of Punjab was annexed by the British. Prince Dalip Singh was taken away to England where he died in 1893. Joseph Cunningham in his “History of the Sikhs” written in 1849 has commented that though the British won the war, they could have very well lost it.
Comments
5th Feb 2012 (#)
As I have said before (many of times), you do these pages better than anyone else I know. Great read. Thank you for sharing.:)
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6th Feb 2012 (#)
Thank you Denise
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