Empire of the Sikhs

Home > Other > Empire of the Sikhs > Page 29
Empire of the Sikhs Page 29

by Patwant Singh


  Bolton, Brigadier, 241

  Bonaparte, Napoleon see Napoleon I

  Brij Raj Singh, Raja, 59

  British Empire/Army

  assumption of control of Sikh state, 249–51, 252, 253–4

  expansionism, 15, 98–9, 138–9, 140–1, 146–8, 227–8, 260

  financial profits/costs of war, 251, 260–4

  relations with Sikh state, 15, 105–11, 130, 136, 148–9, 211–12, 221–2, 225, 227–66

  agreements see Indus Navigation Treaty; Sutlej Treaty

  (alleged) complicity in

  murder, 222–3, 234

  attempts to undermine government, 139–40, 228–9

  collection of military information, 145, 168–9, 235

  military confrontations, 104–5 (see also First Anglo-Sikh War; Second Anglo-Sikh War)

  negotiations over Sind, 145, 146, 149–52

  Ropar meeting (October-November 1831), 141–5

  superiority of resources, 140, 147–8

  unscrupulousness of tactics, 228–9, 231–2, 235, 236–7, 242–3, 259–60

  self-justificatory claims, 228–9, 236–7, 243–4, 250, 259–60

  territorial limits, 97–8, 104

  Broadfoot, George, Major, 236–7, 241

  Brookes, Lt-Col., 257

  Budha Singh (Desu) (Ranjit Singh’s great-great-grandfather), 56

  Burma, 147

  Burnes, Sir Alexander, 96, 109, 138–9, 141

  Bute Shah, 70

  cabinet, composition of Ranjit Singh’s, 17; and see Sikh state: administration

  Calvin, John, 22

  capital punishment

  absence from Sikh justice system, 135

  threat of (military), 116

  caste

  significance in Sikh philosophy, 40

  role in Indian society, 79–80

  cavalry, role in Sikh military strength, 48–9, 100–1, 102–3

  chadar dalna (second-rank wives), 161, 169

  Chak Nanaki see Anandpur

  Chand Kaur (Ranjit Singh’s daughter-in-law), 163, 191, 213–17, 218–19, 223

  Chanda Singh (Ranjit Singh’s great-great-uncle), 56

  Chandu Shah, 86

  Charat Singh (Ranjit Singh’s grandfather), 51, 56–7, 118

  Chattar Singh Attariwala, Sardar, 255, 259

  Chet Singh, 211, 234

  Chet Singh, Sardar, 74, 76

  Chhajju (artist), 176

  Chillianwala, Battle of (13 January 1849), 257–8

  China, relations with Britain, 147

  Christianity

  Dalip Singh’s conversion to, 253

  Ranjit Singh’s attitude to, 87–9

  cis-Sutlej territories, 105–9, 136, 197

  Clerk, George Russel, 221, 222, 234–5

  Codrington, Oliver, 192

  coinage, 184–94

  emblems, 18, 186–7, 189–91, 192

  gold, 191–2

  inscriptions, 185–6, 187, 189

  level of artistry, 189–90

  mints, 190

  political/cultural significance, 51, 184–5, 186

  replacement by British, 193–4

  Cornwallis, Charles, 1st Marquess, Governor-General, 99

  Court, Charles-Auguste, General, 127, 128, 142

  Cunningham, J.D., 128–9, 154–5, 168–9, 201, 231–2, 237, 239, 248–50

  Cureton, Brigadier, 257

  Currie, Sir Frederick, 254

  Dal Singh (Ranjit Singh’s great-uncle), 69

  Dalhousie, James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess, Governor-General, 170–1, 251–2, 253, 255–6, 258–9

  Dalip Singh (Ranjit Singh’s youngest son), 170–1, 179, 191, 224–5, 245, 255, 264

  British ‘protection’, 192–3, 228–9, 252

  exile/death, 252–3

  dals (Sikh groupings), 47–8

  Damodar (artist), 176

  dance, as court entertainment, 160–1

  Dara Shikoh (brother of Aurangzeb), 34

  Darbar Sahib see Golden Temple

  Daulat Khan Lodhi, Nawab, 23

  Davidson, Basil, 19

  Daya Kaur (wife of Ranjit Singh), 169–70

  Delhi

  British control, 97

  Persian conquest, 114

  Sikh attacks on, 51–2

  Dera Ghazi Khan, annexation of, 120–1

  Dera Ismail Khan, annexation of, 121

  Desa Singh Majithia, 174

  Desu see Budha Singh

  Dhian Singh Dogra, 86, 142, 167, 199, 232–3

  physical appearance, 164–5

  death, 222

  moral character, 129–30, 132, 205, 210

  role in power struggles (post-1839), 211–13, 214–17, 219–20

  (suspected) murders, 211, 212–13

  Dick, Sir Robert, General, 248

  Dina Nath, 132, 175

  Diwan Ganga Ram (infantry commander), 101–2

  Dost Mohammad, 123–4

  Dow, Alexander, 183

  Drake, J.M., Captain, 261

  Durrani tribe (Afghans), conflicts with Sikhs, 65–7, 228

  East India Company, 99, 103–4, 138, 150–2, 183, 189, 222, 234

  battlefield/business methods, 227–8, 244

  proclaimed objectives, 227, 230, 260

  profits from Sikh Wars, 251

  Eden, Emily, 178–9, 221

  Edwards, Major, 192–3

  elephants, 184

  Ellenborough, Edward Law, 1st Earl, Governer-General, 204–5, 229–30, 236, 237, 251, 258

  Elphinstone, Mountstuart, 105

  European officers, Ranjit Singh’s recruitment/use, 125–9

  Fane, Sir Henry, General, 161, 164–9, 235

  Farid, Sheikh, 29

  Faridkot, annexation, 106

  Fateh Singh of Ahluwalia, 196–8

  Fateh Singh (son of Guru Gobind Singh), 42–3

  Fauj-i-ain (regular army), 101, 127–8

  Fauj-i-khas (‘Royal Army’), 128, 241

  Ferozepur, Sikhs ordered not to attack, 238

  Ferozeshahr, Battle of (21–22 December 1845), 239–42, 244

  festivals, religious, in Sikh state, 79–80, 153–4

  First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–6), 128, 236–50

  casualties, 240–1, 242, 244, 248

  danger of British defeat, 230–1, 239–40, 242, 246, 248

  declaration, 237

  financial cost to British, 251

  provocation to, 236–7

  treachery of Sikh commanders, 237–40, 242, 244–8

  see also names of battles

  France, territorial ambitions in India, 105–6, 107

  Francis I of France, 141–2

  ‘French legion’ see Fauj-i-khas

  Gajpat Singh, Raja (Ranjit Singh’s grandfather), 55, 58

  Ganga Ram, 132

  ghalugaras (disasters), 49

  Ghaus Khan (artillery commander), 102

  Ghorchurras, 100–1

  Ghulam Muhammad (Pathan leader), 59

  Gilbert, Sir Walter, General, 257, 259

  Gobind Singh, Guru, 34, 35, 37–45, 48, 53, 56, 58, 102, 185, 186, 195

  artistic depictions, 175–6, 178

  creation of Khalsa, 38–41, 72, 84, 85, 202, 203–4, 206

  death, 44

  literary/academic skills, 37

  military activities, 37–8, 41–2

  relations with emperors, 42–3

  relics, 89, 91–2, 134, 261

  Gokal (artist), 176

  Golden Temple (Amritsar), 18

  attacks on, 49, 50–1

  construction, 26–9

  decoration, 177–8

  design, 28

  guards, 102

  Gough, Sir Charles, 243–4

  Gough, Sir Hugh, Field-Marshal, 232, 242, 245, 256

  unjustified claims of victory, 257, 258

  Governor-General, role/mandate, 227 see also names of individuals

  Grand Trunk Road, 181

  Grant, Sir Hope, General, 239–40

/>   Granth Sahib see Guru Granth Sahib

  Grewal, J.S., 116–17

  Griffin, Sir Lepel, 13, 71, 129, 131, 161

  Guddan, Rani (wife of Ranjit Singh), 200

  Gujrat, Battle of (21 February 1849), 258–9

  Gul Badam/Begum (wife of Ranjit Singh), 158, 184

  Gulab Singh Dogra, 142, 224

  dealings with British, 231–3, 244–7

  misappropriation of state property, 217–19

  moral character, 119, 129–30, 205, 217–19, 233

  purchase of Jammu and Kashmir, 194, 232, 249, 251, 252

  role in power struggles (post-1839), 213, 215–17, 218–19, 220

  Gupta, Hari Ram, 60, 70, 79, 148–9, 161

  Gurbaksh Singh, 59, 63, 69

  gurdwaras (houses of prayer), 33–4

  artistic depictions, 176

  construction, 36, 52

  Gurmukh Singh, 67–8

  Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book), 25, 35, 91, 125, 199, 201

  additions to, 26, 29–30, 37

  role in devotional practices, 33–4, 38, 44–5, 166, 202

  Gurus, 22–45

  artistic depictions, 175–6

  end of line, 44–5

  relics, British appropriation, 260–1

  see also names of individuals

  Gwasha Lal Kaul, 118

  hair, symbolic significance, 39

  Haqiqat Singh, 59

  Har Krishan, Guru, 35

  Har Rai, Guru, 34–5

  Hardinge, Lord Henry, Governor-General, 204–5, 228–9, 228–30, 236–7, 238–40, 242–3, 244–7, 249, 251, 258

  Hargobind, Guru, 31–4, 119

  Hari Singh Nalwa, General, 118–20, 122, 123–4, 130, 133, 142, 143, 175, 196

  Harkhu (artist), 176

  Harmandir Sahib see Golden Temple

  Hashmat Khan (Chatha leader), 64

  Hasrat, Bikrama Jit, 48–9, 72, 223

  Havelock, Sir Henry, General, 240

  Havelock, William, Lt-Col., 257

  Hazara see Jammu and Kashmir

  Henry VIII of England, 141–2

  Herbert, George, 209

  Herries, W.R., Major, 241

  Hindus/Hindu religion, 22–3

  conflict with Sikhs, 37–8

  hill chieftains, 37–8, 41

  places of worship, 87

  role in united Punjab, 82–3, 85–6

  Hira Singh Dogra, 179, 233

  father’s ambitions for, 213, 214, 220

  Ranjit Singh’s favouring of, 142, 165

  Hiuen Tang, 74

  Holi, festival of, 79, 153–4, 168

  Holkar, Jaswant Rao, 110

  Hong Kong, 147

  Honigberger, Martin, 179

  Hugel, Charles, Baron, 55, 83, 176, 183–4

  Huien Tsang, 121

  Humayun, Emperor, 114

  hunting, Ranjit Singh’s enjoyment of, 184

  Hurdsir (wife of Ranjit Singh), 170

  Ibrahim Lodhi, Emperor, 114

  Iftikhar Khan, governor, 35

  Imamuddin, Fakir, 86

  India

  ancient history, 19–21

  British objectives in, 260

  internal conflict, traditions of, 41

  see also Mughal Empire; Punjab; Sikh state

  Indus (river)

  navigation treaty, 146

  strategic control of, 140–1

  Industrial Revolution, 147

  infantry, role in Sikh military strength, 101–2, 127–8

  Innes, Arthur D., 243–4

  Islam see Muslims

  Jagdeo (wife of Ranjit Singh), 170

  Jahan Dad Khan, governor, 112, 122

  Jahangir, Emperor, 30–1, 33, 86, 87, 183, 190

  Jai Singh Kanhaiya, 63

  Jaidev, 29

  Jaimal Singh Kanhaiya, 215

  Jajau, Battle of, 43

  Jammu and Kashmir, British takeover and separation from Punjab, 194, 249–51

  Jamrud, construction of fort, 124

  Jassu Singh Ahluwalia, 50, 51–2

  Jawala Singh, 215–16

  Jindan Kaur, Rani (consort of Ranjit Singh), 170–1, 179, 191, 224–5, 245, 252, 255, 262

  Jodh Singh, 77

  Joseph, Wolff, 87–8

  Jujhar Singh (son of Guru Gobind Singh), 42

  Jullundari, Hafiz, 251

  Kabir, 29

  Kangra, as artistic centre, 173–5

  Kanhayia misl, 215

  alliance with Sukerchakia, 63, 69, 71, 161–3

  coinage, 187

  conflicts with Sukerchakia, 58–9, 69

  Kapur Singh, 47–8, 203, 205, 235

  Kartarpur (village), 25

  Kashmir, 109, 112–14

  famines (1820–2/1833), 133, 180

  Sikh annexation/governance, 117–20, 133, 149

  see also Jammu and Kashmir

  Kashmira Singh (accepted son of Ranjit Singh), 169–70

  Kaur, adoption as universal Sikh female surname, 39

  Keane, Sir John, General, 211

  Kempt, Sir James, General, 248

  Khalsa (‘purified ones’, Sikh fellowship), 84, 85, 129, 201–5, 265–6

  assemblies, 203

  creation, 38–41, 84, 202, 206

  response to power struggles, 206–7, 223–4

  khanda (emblem of Khalsa), 186–7

  Kharak Singh (Ranjit Singh’s first son), 142, 161, 163–4, 165–6, 182, 196, 198

  death, 211–12, 214

  reign, 191, 209–11, 217–18, 224, 234

  Khushal Singh Jamadar, 86, 133, 175

  Khusru (brother of Jahangir), 30

  Khyber Pass, 120–1, 124

  Kirpa Ram, governor, 118

  Koh-i-noor diamond, 111–14, 115, 134, 149, 166, 183, 199, 218–19, 263

  Kohli, Sita Ram, 70

  Kulu, Battle of (1841), 128

  Ladakh, annexation, 119

  Lahore

  architecture, 74–5

  conflicts over, 51, 73–4, 76–7

  historical/political significance, 51, 74

  population/public health, 135–6

  siege (January 1841), 215–17

  as Sikh capital, 51, 75–6, 131

  Treaty of (9 March 1846), 249–52

  Second Treaty of (22 December 1846), 252

  Lake, Gerard, 1st Viscount, General, 99–100, 125

  Lakhi Shah Lubana, 36

  Lakhmidas (son of Nanak), 23–4

  Lakhpat Rai, Diwan, 69, 71, 131

  Lal Singh, 129–30, 205, 252

  treachery in First Sikh War, 233, 235, 237–40, 242, 245–6

  Latif, Syad Muhammad, 78, 119

  Lawrence, H.M.L., Major, 20, 171, 235, 247, 252, 258–9

  Lehna Singh Majithia, 215

  Leila (horse), 183

  Littler, Sir John, General, 239

  Login, Lady, 262–4

  Login, Sir John, 252, 261–4

  Lotus (Amazon favourite of Ranjit Singh), 159–60

  Louis-Philippe, King of France, 165

  Luther, Martin, 22

  Maclaren, Brigadier, 248

  Mahan Singh Sukerchakia (Ranjit Singh’s father), 55, 57–60, 67, 69, 118

  illness/death, 59, 63–4, 69

  military reforms, 59–60

  moral character, 59

  Mahmud (brother of Zaman Shah), 111

  Mahmud of Ghazni, 21, 74

  Mahtab Devi (wife of Ranjit Singh), 169

  Mai Dessan (Ranjit Singh’s grandmother), 57–8

  Mai Lachhmi, 169

  Mai Malwain see Raj Kaur (Ranjit Singh’s mother)

  Mamola (wife of Ranjit Singh), 158

  Mandi, Battle of (1841), 128

  Mardana (follower of Nanak), 175, 178

  Masson, Charles, 134

  McCaskill, Sir John, General, 241

  McGregor, W.L., Dr, 95–6

  McLeod, D.F., 192

  meeri/peeri (temporal/spiritual concerns), 32

  Mehtab Kaur (Ranjit Singh’s firs
t wife), 62–3, 69, 161–2, 169

  Metcalfe, Sir Charles, 96, 101, 164

  divisive tactics, 139–40

  and Sutlej Treaty, 105–9

  Mian Singh, Colonel, 135

  militancy, role in Sikh philosophy, 37, 39–40, 47–8

  Miller, Henry, 173

  miniatures, 173–5

  Minto, 1st Earl of, Governor-General, 99, 104, 140, 151

  Mir Mannu, governor, 50

  misls (Sikh confederacies), 17

  coinage, 187–8

  conflicts between, 58–9, 63–4, 72, 73–4, 76–8

  geographical distribution, 61

  military capabilities/significance, 48–9, 51, 52

  Ranjit Singh’s plans to unite, 71–2, 76

  see also names of specific misls

  Mohammed Ghori, 88

  Mohammed Shah, Mufti, 85

  Mokham Chand, General, 107, 113, 115, 118, 140

  monarchy

  conflict with Sikh ideology, 201–3, 266

  problems for Sikh state, 206–8, 266

  Monroe Doctrine, 146–7

  monuments (to Ranjit Singh), lack of, 14, 83

  Moorcroft, William, 119

  Moran (wife of Ranjit Singh), 155–8, 184, 190–1

  Moti Ram, governor, 118, 133

  Muazzam, Prince see Bahadur Shah

  Mudki, skirmish at (18 December 1845), 238–9

  Mughal Empire, 21, 114

  alliances with Sikhs, 43

  coinage, 186–7

  conflicts with Sikhs, 30–8, 41–53, 186–7

  relations with British, 97, 105

  see also names of emperors

  Muin-ul-Mulk (Mughal commander), 53

  Mukhlis Khan (general), 33

  Mulraj, Diwan, 175, 191–2, 254, 255

  Multan

  annexation, 111, 115–16, 117

  coinage, 191–2

  hostilities at (April-October 1848), 254–6

  silk industry, 181

  Multana Singh (son of Ranjit Singh), 169–70

  Munro, John, Lt, 241

  Murat, Joachim, Marshal, 123, 126

  Murray, William, Captain, 134, 135

  Muslims/Muslim religion

  alliances with Sikhs, 42

  invasion of India, 20–1

  places of worship, 87

  Ranjit Singh’s interactions with, 80–1

  Ranjit Singh’s marriages with, 81, 156

  relics, 89

  religious observances, 80–1, 85

  role in united Punjab, 82–3, 85–6, 87

  see also Mughal Empire

  Muzaffar Khan (Afghan commander), 111

  Nadir Shah of Persia, 20, 49–50, 88, 114

  Najib-ud-Daulah, 53

  Namdev, 29

  Nanak, Guru, 14, 22–5, 29, 33, 34, 65, 80, 82

  artistic depictions, 175, 176, 178

  coinage in name of, 186, 189

  Nanaki (sister of Nanak), 23

  Nanakshahi coins, 189–90, 193–4

  Nanki Kaur (bride of Nau Nihal Singh), 164, 214

  Napoleon I, 11, 103–4, 105–6, 123, 126, 227, 229–30

 

‹ Prev