Empire of the Sikhs
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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