Conquest of Punjab -Free Modern History Notes for UPSC 2025

The history of Punjab, a land rich in culture, tradition, and strategic significance, is marked by a series of conquests and transformations that have shaped its destiny. Situated in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, Punjab has been a coveted territory for empires and rulers throughout history due to its fertile plains, vital trade routes, and geopolitical importance.

The Conquest of Punjab happened in 1849 when the British, led by Lord Dalhousie, took over Punjab and made it part of British India. This marked the end of the Sikh Kingdom and the start of British rule in the region. The Sikhs were made to obey British authority, and their way of life was suppressed. This conquest also led to the British taking control of Kashmir until India gained independence in 1947.

Background

• Sikh Unity and Organization: After the death of Guru Govind Singh, Sikhs faced internal divisions. Banda Bahadur led a rebellion against the Mughals, but it was suppressed. In 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria united Sikhs under the Dal Khalsa, forming two armies, Budha Dal and Taruna Dal.
• Emergence of Misl Rule: Between 1763 and 1773, various misls emerged, ruling different parts of Punjab. They extended their control from Saharanpur to Attock and from the mountains to Multan.
• Ranjit Singh’s Rise to Power: Ranjit Singh, born into the Sukarchakiya misl, seized the opportunity of disunity among Sikhs and turmoil in Afghanistan. By 1805, he controlled Lahore and Amritsar, forming alliances with neighboring powers.
• Negotiations with the British: Concerned about foreign invasion, the British approached Ranjit Singh, but negotiations failed initially. However, the Treaty of Amritsar in 1809 recognized Ranjit Singh as the ruler of Punjab, marking the beginning of cooperation between him and the British.
• Expansion and Challenges: Ranjit Singh expanded his empire, but his ambitions were limited by accepting the Sutlej River as the boundary with British territories. He faced pressure to allow British passage to Afghanistan but refused.
• Decline and Instability: Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839 led to a power vacuum. Successive weak rulers and court intrigues destabilized Punjab. Discontent among the army and economic disruptions further weakened the Sikh state.
• Interference and Power Struggles: After Ranjit Singh’s death, internal strife continued. Rani Jindan acted as regent for her son, but power struggles ensued, with various factions vying for control. These conflicts invited external interference, especially from the British.

Why did the British conquer Punjab?

Punjab was the last place where the Sikhs, who were strong and good at fighting, were in charge. In 1845, they had taken control of Punjab from rulers who were weak and dishonest, backed by the British. Punjab was important strategically because it was on the northern border of British India and controlled the routes into Afghanistan. The British were worried that the Sikhs might team up with the Afghans, who could threaten British interests in India.

First Anglo Sikh War

Causes of the First Anglo-Sikh War:

1. Internal Turmoil in the Sikh Empire: After Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death, a power struggle erupted between the Lahore court and the influential Sikh army, weakening central authority.
2. Sikh Army’s Distrust of the British: Previous British military actions, like annexing Gwalior and Sindh in 1841 and the campaign in Afghanistan in 1842, made the Sikh soldiers suspicious of British intentions. They feared British expansion into Sikh territories.
3. Increasing British Troop Presence: The growing number of British troops near the Lahore kingdom’s border added to tensions, sparking fears among Sikhs that the British might have aggressive designs towards the Sikh Empire.

Course of the War:

1. Battles: The British, with 20,000 to 30,000 troops, faced the Sikh army, led by Lal Singh with around 50,000 men. Treachery by Lal Singh and Teja Singh led to successive defeats for the Sikhs at battles like Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon.
2. Fall of Lahore: After losing at Sobraon, the Sikhs couldn’t mount a significant defense, leading to the fall of Lahore to the British without resistance.

Treaty of Lahore:

1. Key Provisions: Signed on March 8, 1846, it required the Sikhs to pay a war indemnity, cede the Jalandhar Doab to the British, establish a British resident at Lahore, reduce the Sikh army’s size, and recognize Daleep Singh as ruler with Rani Jindan as regent and Lal Singh as wazir.
2. Kashmir Transfer: Due to the Sikhs’ inability to pay the full indemnity, Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh, formalized by a separate treaty on March 16, 1846.

Treaty of Bhairowal:

Resolution: In response to Sikh discontent over Kashmir, the Treaty of Bhairowal established a regency council for Punjab, removing Rani Jindan and appointing 8 Sikh sardars with Henry Lawrence as presiding authority.

Second Anglo-Sikh War

Causes of the Second Anglo-Sikh War:

1. Sikh Humiliation and Resentment: The Sikhs felt deeply humiliated by their defeat in the first war and the harsh terms of the treaties that followed. The mistreatment of Rani Jindan also angered them.
2. Governor Dispute in Multan: Mulraj, the governor of Multan, rebelled due to a disagreement over revenue. Sher Singh joined forces with Mulraj, leading to widespread uprising in Multan and sparking the war.

Course of the War:

1. Battles: Three significant battles took place:

• Battle of Ramnagar
• Battle of Chillianwala
• Battle of Gujarat, which led to the Sikh army’s surrender and expulsion of their Afghan allies.

Result of the War:

1. Surrender and Annexation: The Sikh army surrendered, and Punjab was fully annexed by the British.
2. Administration Changes: Lord Dalhousie received recognition for the annexation, and a three-member board governed Punjab initially. Later, it was placed under a chief commissioner, with John Lawrence being the first.

Significance of the Anglo-Sikh Wars:

1. Mutual Respect: Both sides gained respect for each other’s military prowess, leading to Sikhs fighting alongside the British in later conflicts.
2. Extension of British Control: The wars contributed to the broader British expansion and consolidation of power in India.
3. Administrative Policies: British administrative strategies, like creating buffer zones and subsidiary alliances, further extended their influence over Indian territories.

Furthermore, the Anglo-Sikh struggle exemplified the broader process of British expansion and consolidation of power in India, showcasing the interplay of military conquest and diplomatic maneuvering. The defeat and subjugation of significant Indian powers, like the Sikhs, contributed to the extension of British paramountcy over the subcontinent.

Overall, the Anglo-Sikh struggle left an indelible mark on the history of India, shaping the relationship between the British and Sikhs and influencing the trajectory of British colonial rule in the region for years to come.

Also read about Anglo Afghan Relation.