British vs Sikh - First & Second Anglo Sikh Wars

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Maharaja Ranjith Singh

He was from Sukerchala Misl of Sikh Confederacy. He united all the 12 Misls and became the Maharaja in 1801.
He conquered many parts of Afghanistan’s territories and called as Sher-i-Punjab.
Lord William Bentinck the Governor general of India met Ranjith Singh on 25^th October 1831 at Rupar on the bank of River Sutlej and signed Treaty of Perpetual Relationship So until his death he maintained friendly relationship with British.
In 1832 Indus Navigation Treaty signed between British and Ranjith Singh which allowed British to use Sutlej River for trade and commercial Purpose.
He expanded his kingdom from Lahore to North Western Himalayas.
He was gaining the possession of Koh-i-Noor diamond from Shuja Sha Durrani of Afghan.
He restored and expanded the Golden Temple of Amritsar.
In 1839 Ranjit Singh died and it led to disintegration of the empire due to war of Succession.
After his death Lord Ellenborough was eager to capture Punjab after annexing Sind by Treaty of Sindhia but the Afghan defeat not allowed him to proceed further.

Lord Hardinge appointed Major Broadfoot as the political agent of British in Punjab. He assigned to promote an enmity against British so they could wage war.
His action was severely criticized and as a result Sikh Army under Tej Singh and Gulab Singh cross Sutlej against British and Lord Hardinge declared war.
In the Battle of Firozpur British defeated Punjab Army and the final Battle at Sobraon British defeated them and captured Lahore.
On 9^th March 1846 war came to an end with Treaty of Lahore.
Major Henry Lawrence appointed as a British Resident in Lahore.
South of Sutlej came under British and 1.5 crore rupees fixed as War Indemnity.

After the defeat in first war many local Sikh leaders were revolted against British.

Mulraj of Multan and Chatter Singh of Attanwalla vs Lord Dalhousie and Lawrence Brothers.
When the Sikh attacked British offices under local leaders, Lord Dalhousie declared war in 1848.
In the end of 1849 Punjab was completely annexed by Lord Dalhousie and subjugated all the local leaders.
He appointed Chief Commissioner to control the province and further the province divided into Districts under the administration of Deputy Commissioner.
Within three years perfect order were restored by Lord Dalhousie with the help of Lawrence brothers.
In 1859 Sir John Lawrence became Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.

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