Explore the history of Ranjit Singh's interactions with the English, the Treaty of Amritsar, and the political dynamics of Punjab after his reign. Understand the significance of his policies and the subsequent impact on the region.
Ranjit Singh and the English: A Complex Relationship
The prospects of a joint Franco-Russian invasion of India through the land-route had alarmed the English. In 1807, Lord Minto sent Charles Metcalfe to Lahore.
Ranjit Singh offered to accept Metcalfe’s proposal of an offensive and defensive alliance on the condition that the English would remain neutral in case of a Sikh-Afghan war and would consider Ranjit Singh the sovereign of the entire Punjab including the Malwa (cis-Sutlej) territories. However, the negotiations failed.
In the changed political scenario in which the Napoleonic danger receded and the English became more assertive, Ranjit Singh agreed to sign the Treaty of Amritsar (April 25, 1809) with the Company.
Treaty of Amritsar: Defining Boundaries and Shifting Focus
The Treaty of Amritsar was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects. It checked one of the most cherished ambitions of Ranjit Singh to extend his rule over the entire Sikh nation by accepting the river Sutlej as the boundary line for his dominions and the Company’s.
Now he directed his energies towards the west and captured Multan (1818), Kashmir (1819) and Peshawar (1834).
In June 1838, Ranjit Singh was compelled by political compulsions to sign the Tripartite Treaty with the English; however he refused to give passage to the British army through his territories to attack Dost Mohammad, the Afghan Amir.
The relations of Raja Ranjit Singh with the Company, from 1809 to 1839, clearly indicate the former’s weak position.
Although he was conscious of his weak position, he took no step to organise a coalition of other Indian princes or maintain a balance of power.
Ranjit Singh died in June 1839 and with his death the process of the decline of his empire began.
Punjab After Ranjit Singh: Internal Strife and British Influence
Beginning of Court Factions: Ranjit Singh’s only legitimate son and successor, Kharak Singh, was not efficient, and during the brief period of his reign, court factions became active.
Kharak Singh’s sudden death in 1839 and the accidental death of his son, Prince Nav Nihal Singh (when he was returning from his father’s funeral), led to an anarchic situation in Punjab.
Plans and counter plans of various groups to capture the throne of Lahore provided an opportunity for decisive action by the English.
The army—the pillar of the Sikh state—was far less strong than it appeared to be.
Ranjit Singh’s able generals—Mohkam Chand, Dewan Chand, Hari Singh Nalwa, and Ram Dayal—were already dead.
Already discontent was growing among the troops as a result of irregularity of payment.
The appointment of unworthy officers led to indiscipline.
The Lahore government, continuing the policy of friendship with the English company, permitted the British troops to pass through its territory—once, when they were fleeing from Afghanistan, and again, when they were marching back to Afghanistan to avenge their defeat.
These marches resulted in commotion and economic dislocation in Punjab.
Rani Jindan and Daleep Singh: Regency and Instability
After the death of Nav Nihal Singh, Sher Singh, another son of Ranjit Singh succeeded, but he was murdered in late 1843.
Soon afterwards, Daleep Singh, a minor son of Ranjit Singh, was proclaimed the Maharaja with Rani Jindan as regent and Hira Singh Dogra as wazir.
Hira Singh himself fell a victim to a court intrigue and was murdered in 1844.
The new wazir, Jawahar Singh, the brother of Rani Jindan, soon incurred the displeasure of the army and was deposed and put to death in 1845.
Lal Singh, a lover of Rani Jindan, won over the army to his side and became the wazir in the same year, and Teja Singh was appointed as the commander of the forces.
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