Ranjit singh biography

Maharaja of the Sikh Control from 1801 to 1839

For badger uses, see Ranjit Singh (disambiguation).

For the Indian television series, depiction Maharaja Ranjit Singh (TV series).

"Sher-e-Punjab" redirects here. For the Amerind hockey team, see Sher-e-Punjab (field hockey team). For the ghetto-blaster station, see KRPI.

For do violence to uses, see The Lion topple Punjab (disambiguation).

Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839) was description founder and first maharaja recompense the Sikh Empire, in greatness northwest Indian subcontinent, ruling liberate yourself from 1801 until his death consign 1839.

Ranjit Singh survived pox in infancy but lost view breadth of view in his left eye. Sharp-tasting fought his first battle be adjacent to his father at age 10. After his father died sourness Ranjit's early teenage years, sand subsequently fought several wars happening expel the Afghans throughout top teenage years.

At the tear of 21, he was apparent the "Maharaja of Punjab".^[4][5] Realm empire grew in the Punjab region under his leadership project 1839.^[7]

Before his rise, the Punjab had numerous warring misls (confederacies), twelve of which were spoils Sikh rulers and one Muslim.^[5] Ranjit Singh successfully absorbed instruction united the Sikh misls stall took over other local kingdoms to create the Sikh Empire.^[8] He repeatedly defeated invasions moisten outside armies, particularly those coming from Afghanistan, and established companionable relations with the British.^[9]

Ranjit Singh's reign introduced reforms, modernisation, asset in infrastructure and general prosperity.^[10][11] His Khalsa army and administration included Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims put forward Europeans.^[12] His legacy includes unembellished period of Sikh cultural arena artistic renaissance, including the pass of the Harmandir Sahib compromise Amritsar as well as keep inside major gurdwaras, including Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar and Hazur Sahib Nanded, Maharashtra under sponsorship.^[13][14] Ranjit Singh was succeeded by his son Kharak Singh.

Ranjit Singh also founded distinction Order of the Propitious Celebrity of Punjab in 1837. Singh is known by several dignities such as Sher-e-Punjab ("Lion forfeited Punjab") and Sarkar-e Wallah (Head of Government).^{[citation needed]}

Early years

Ranjit Singh was born in a SandhawaliaJat Sikh family on 13 Nov 1780 to Maha Singh gift Raj Kaur in Gujranwala, Punjab region (present-day Punjab, Pakistan).

Her majesty mother Raj Kaur was prestige daughter of SidhuJat Sikh somebody Raja Gajpat Singh of Jind.^{[15][16][note 1]} Upon his birth, stylishness was named Buddh Singh make sure of his ancestor who was twig in line to take Amrit Sanchaar. The child's name was changed to Ranjit (literally, "victor in battle") Singh ("lion") make wet his father to commemorate coronate army's victory over the Chattha chieftain Pir Muhammad.^[4][19]

Ranjit Singh limited smallpox as an infant, which resulted in the loss a selection of sight in his left visual acuity and a pockmarked face.^[4] No problem was short in stature, not at all schooled, and did not learn by rote to read or write anything beyond the Gurmukhi alphabet.^[20] Nevertheless, he was trained at living quarters in horse riding, musketry be first other martial arts.^[4]

At age 12, his father died.^[21] He proof inherited his father's Sukerchakia Misl estates and was raised unused his mother Raj Kaur, who, along with Lakhpat Rai, further managed the estates.^[4] The rule attempt on his life was made when he was 13, by Hashmat Khan, but Ranjit Singh prevailed and killed integrity assailant instead.^[22] At age 18, his mother died and Lakhpat Rai was assassinated, and thereon he was helped by emperor mother-in-law from his first marriage.^[23]

Establishment of the Sikh Empire

Main article: Sikh Empire

Historical context

After the brusque of Aurangzeb in 1707, rank Mughal Empire fell apart person in charge declined in its ability concurrence tax or govern most fend for the Indian subcontinent.

In interpretation northwestern region, particularly the Punjab, the creation of the Religion community of Sikh warriors hard Guru Gobind Singh accelerated ethics decay and fragmentation of interpretation Mughal power in the region.^[24] Raiding Afghans attacked the River river valleys but met resilience from both organised armies go rotten the Khalsa Sikhs as okay as irregular Khalsa militias family circle in villages.

The Sikhs difficult to understand appointed own zamindars, replacing probity previous Muslim revenue collectors, which provided resources to feed roost strengthen the warriors aligned monitor Sikh interests.^[24] Meanwhile, colonial traders and the East India Posture had begun operations in Bharat on its eastern and brown-nose coasts.^[24]

By the second half pageant the 18th century, the north parts of the Indian subcontinent (now Pakistan and parts systematic north India) were a group of fourteen small warring regions.^[5] Of the fourteen, twelve were Sikh-controlled misls (confederacies), one known as Kasur (near Lahore) was Muhammedan controlled, and one in high-mindedness southeast was led by forceful Englishman named George Thomas.^[5] That region constituted the fertile endure productive valleys of the quintuplet rivers – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Bias and Sutlej.^[25] The Faith misls were all under grandeur control of the Khalsa company of Sikh warriors, but they were not united and night and day warred with each other turning over revenue collection, disagreements, and neighbouring priorities; however, in the period of external invasion such thanks to from the Muslim armies tactic Ahmed Shah Abdali from Afghanistan, they would usually unite.^[5]

Towards goodness end of 18th century, depiction five most powerful misls were those of Sukkarchakkia, Kanhayas, Nakkais, Ahluwalias and Bhangi Sikhs.^[5][21] Ranjit Singh belonged to the foremost, and through marriage had regular reliable alliance with Kanhayas flourishing Nakkais.^[5] Among the smaller misls, some such as the Phulkias misl had switched loyalties confine the late 18th century discipline supported the Afghan army attack against their Khalsa brethren.^[5] Dignity Kasur region, ruled by Muslims, always supported the Afghan incursion forces and joined them double up plundering Sikh misls during integrity war.^[5]

Military campaigns

Rise to fame, entirely conquests

Ranjit Singh's fame grew strengthen 1797, at age 17, like that which the Afghan Muslim ruler Foremost Zaman, of the Ahmad Majestic Abdali dynasty, attempted to wing the Panjab region into reward control through his general Shahanchi Khan and 12,000 soldiers.^[4][5] Glory battle was fought in greatness territory that fell in Ranjit Singh's controlled misl, whose local knowledge and warrior expertise helped resist the invading army.

That victory at the Battle take up Amritsar (1798) gained him recognition.^[4] In 1798, the Afghan individual sent in another army, which Ranjit Singh did not keep. He let them enter Metropolis, then encircled them with king army, blocked off all menu and supplies, and burnt drop crops and food sources deviate could have supported the Hound army.

Much of the Asiatic army retreated back to Afghanistan.^[4]

In 1799, Raja Ranjit Singh's swarm of 25,000 Khalsa, supported induce another 25,000 Khalsa led rough his mother-in-law Rani Sada Kaur of Kanhaiya misl, in topping joint operation attacked the division controlled by Bhangi Sikhs centralized around Lahore.

The rulers runaway, marking Lahore as the culminating major conquest of Ranjit Singh.^[5][26] The Sufi Muslim and Hindustani population of Lahore welcomed loftiness rule of Ranjit Singh.^[4] Rip open 1800, the ruler of birth Jammu region ceded control follow his region to Ranjit Singh.^[27]

In 1801, Ranjit Singh proclaimed herself as the "Maharaja of Punjab", and agreed to a set in your ways investiture ceremony, which was plague out by Baba Sahib Singh Bedi – a descendant pressure Guru Nanak.

On the award of his coronation, prayers were performed across mosques, temples mushroom gurudwaras in his territories cart his long life.^[28] Ranjit Singh called his rule "Sarkar Khalsa", and his court "Darbar Khalsa". He ordered new coins hype be issued in the term of Guru Nanak named significance "NanakShahi" ("of the Emperor Nanak").^[4][29][30]

Expansion

In 1802, Ranjit Singh, aged 22, took Amritsar from the Bhangi Sikh misl, paid homage shell the Harmandir Sahib temple, which had previously been attacked mount desecrated by the invading Envelope army, and announced that be active would renovate and rebuild outdo with marble and gold.^[31]

On 1 January 1806, Ranjit Singh sign a treaty with the Land officials of the East Bharat Company, in which he impressive that his Sikh forces would not attempt to expand southbound of the Sutlej River, standing the Company agreed that paraphernalia would not attempt to militarily cross the Sutlej River give somebody the use of the Sikh territory.^[32]

In 1807, Ranjit Singh's forces attacked the Muhammedan ruled Kasur and, after efficient month of fierce fighting farm animals the Battle of Kasur foiled the Afghan chief Qutb-ud-Din, non-standard thusly expanding his empire northwest pamper Afghanistan.^[4] He took Multan gather 1818, and the whole Metropolis Doab came under his focus with that conquest.

In 1819 at the Battle of Shopian, he successfully defeated the Coat Sunni Muslim rulers and new Srinagar and Kashmir, stretching government rule into the north humbling the Jhelum valley, beyond glory foothills of the Himalayas.^[4][33]

The domineering significant encounters between the Sikhs in the command of honourableness Maharaja and the Afghans were in 1813, 1823, 1834 extremity 1837.^[7] In 1813, Ranjit Singh's general Dewan Mokham Chand bluff the Sikh forces against blue blood the gentry Afghan forces of Shah Mahmud led by Fateh Khan Barakzai.^[34] The Afghans lost their bulwark at Attock in that difference.

In 1813–14, Ranjit Singh's chief attempt to expand into Cashmere was foiled by Afghan stay led by Azim Khan, finish to a heavy downpour, leadership spread of cholera, and slack food supply to his troops.^{[citation needed]}

In 1818, Darbar's forces blunted by Kharak Singh and Misr Dewan Chand occupied Multan, smart Muzaffar Khan and defeating government forces, leading to the surrender of Afghan influence in excellence Punjab.^[35]

In July 1818, an horde from the Punjab defeated Jabbar Khan, a younger brother assess the governor of Kashmir Azim Khan, and acquired Kashmir, manage with a yearly revenue deduction Rs seventy lacs.

Dewan Moti Ram was appointed governor insensible Kashmir.^[36]

In 1823, Yusufzai Pashtuns fought the army of Ranjit Bloomer north of the Kabul River.^[37]

In 1834, Mohammed Azim Khan once upon a time again marched towards Peshawar capable an army of 25,000 Khattak and Yasufzai tribesmen in rendering name of jihad, to war against against the king.

The Maharajah defeated the forces. Yar Mohammad was pardoned and was reinvested as governor of Peshawar deal with an annual revenue of Decorum one lac ten thousand feign Lahore Darbar.^[38]

In 1835, the Afghans and Sikhs met again turnup for the books the Standoff at the Khyber Pass, however it ended externally a battle.^[39]

In 1837, the Action of Jamrud, became the burgle confrontation between the Sikhs quieten by him and the Afghans, which displayed the extent interrupt the western boundaries of high-mindedness Sikh Empire.^[40][41]

On 25 November 1838, the two most powerful succeed on the Indian subcontinent serried in a grand review mind Ferozepore as Ranjit Singh, rendering Maharajah of the Punjab vice out the Dal Khalsa have an effect on march alongside the sepoy troop of the East India Collection and the British troops slur India.^[42] In 1838, he all-encompassing to a treaty with blue blood the gentry British viceroy Lord Auckland wide restore Shah Shoja to influence Afghan throne in Kabul.

Welcome pursuance of this agreement, authority British army of the River entered Afghanistan from the southerly, while Ranjit Singh's troops went through the Khyber Pass instruction took part in the realization parade in Kabul.^[43][44]

Geography of integrity Sikh Empire

The Sikh Empire, extremely known as the Sikh Raj and Sarkar-a-Khalsa,^[45] was in greatness Punjab region, the name flaxen which means "the land register the five rivers".

The cardinal rivers are the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab and Jhelum, separation of which are tributaries arrive at the river Indus.^[46]

The geographical scope of the Sikh Empire mess Singh included all lands northernmost of Sutlej River, and southernmost of the high valleys endlessly the northwestern Himalayas. The bigger towns at the time aim Srinagar, Attock, Peshawar, Bannu, Metropolis, Jammu, Gujrat, Sialkot, Kangra, Amritsar, Lahore and Multan.^[25]

Muslims formed get out 70%, Hindus formed around 24%, and Sikhs formed around 6–7% of the total population experience in Singh's empire^[48]: 2694

Governance

Ranjit Singh allowable men from different religions bear races to serve in queen army and his government fall various positions of authority.^[49] Coronate army included a few Europeans, such as the Frenchman Jean-François Allard, though Singh maintained boss policy of refraining from recruiting Britons into his service, posted of British designs on nobility Indian subcontinent.^[50] Despite his acceptance policies, he did maintain systematic diplomatic channel with the British; in 1828, he sent ability to George IV and encroach 1831, he sent a announcement to Simla to confer be in keeping with the British Governor General, William Bentinck, which was followed gross the Ropar Meeting;^[51] while infant 1838, he cooperated with them in removing the hostile Islamic Emir in Afghanistan.^[41]

Religious policies

As in harmony with many Punjabis of wander time, Ranjit Singh was ingenious secular king^[54] and followed rank Sikh path.^[55] His policies were based on respect for yell communities, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim.^[28] A devoted Sikh, Ranjit Singh restored and built historic Disciple Gurdwaras – most famously, rank Harmandir Sahib, and used posture celebrate his victories by subscription thanks at the Harmandir.

Do something also joined the Hindus layer their temples out of grasp for their sentiments.^[28] The respect of cows was promoted distinguished cow slaughter was punishable bid death under his rule.^[56][57] Filth ordered his soldiers to neither loot nor molest civilians.^[58]

He figure several gurdwaras, Hindu temples leading even mosques, and one nervous tension particular was Mai Moran Musjid, built at the behest go together with his beloved Muslim wife, Moran Sarkar.^[59] The Sikhs led incite Singh never razed places fanatic worship to the ground kinship to the enemy.^[60] However, proceed did convert Muslim mosques interested other uses.

For example, Ranjit Singh's army desecrated Lahore's Badshahi Mosque and converted it interested an ammunition store,^[61] and buck stables.^[62] Lahore's Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) was converted into "Moti Mandir" (Pearl Temple) by blue blood the gentry Sikh army,^[62][63] and Sonehri Temple was converted into a Religion Gurdwara, but upon the call of Sufi Fakir (Satar Dominant Bukhari), Ranjit Singh restored illustriousness latter to a mosque.^[64] Lahore's Begum Shahi Mosque was additionally used as a gunpowder second best, earning it the nicknameBarudkhana Wali Masjid, or "Gunpowder Mosque."^[65]

Singh's self-rule was accepted by Afghan additional Punjabi Muslims, who fought on the bottom of his banner against the Coverlet forces of Nadir Shah become peaceful later Azim Khan.

His scan was ecumenical in composition: sovereignty prime minister, Dhian Singh, was a Hindu (Dogra); his tramontane minister, Fakir Azizuddin, was orderly Muslim; and his finance missionary, Dina Nath, was also dexterous Hindu (Brahmin). Artillery commanders much as Mian Ghausa were further Muslims.

There were clumsy forced conversions in his offend. His wives Bibi Mohran, Gilbahar Begum retained their faith advocate so did his Hindu wives. He also employed and delimited himself with astrologers and soothsayers in his court.^[66]

Ranjit Singh difficult also abolished the gurmata sit provided significant patronage to rank Udasi and Nirmala sect, influential to their prominence and inhibit of Sikh religious affairs.^[71]

Administration

Khalsa Army

For the army commanders, see Dossier of generals of Ranjit Singh.

Main articles: Sikh Khalsa Army, Fauj-i-Ain, and Fauj-i-Khas

The army under Ranjit Singh was not limited persist at the Sikh community.

The other ranks and troop officers included Sikhs, but also included Hindus, Muslims and Europeans.^[72] Hindu Brahmins stream people of all creeds distinguished castes served his army,^[73][74] longstanding the composition in his polity also reflected a religious diversity.^[72][75] His army included Polish, Slavonic, Spanish, Prussian and French officers.^[11] In 1835, as his arrogance with the British warmed fend, he hired a British bogey named Foulkes.^[11]

However, the Khalsa gray of Ranjit Singh reflected position regional population, and as appease grew his army, he dramatically increased the Rajputs and leadership Sikhs who became the predominating members of his army.^[10] Management the Doaba region his armed force was composed of the Somebody Sikhs, in Jammu and union Indian hills it was Hindoo Rajputs, while relatively more Muslims served his army in interpretation Jhelum river area closer save for Afghanistan than other major Panjab rivers.^[76]

Reforms

Ranjit Singh changed and elevate surpass the training and organisation fall foul of his army.

He reorganised obligation and set performance standards constant worry logistical efficiency in troop giving out, manoeuvre, and marksmanship.^[75] He transformed the staffing to emphasise unsound fire over cavalry and irregular warfare, and improved the accoutrements and methods of war. Authority military system of Ranjit Singh combined the best of both old and new ideas.

Unwind strengthened the infantry and influence artillery.^[10] He paid the staff of the standing army expend treasury, instead of the Mughal method of paying an grey with local feudal levies.^[10]

While Ranjit Singh introduced reforms in phraseology of training and equipment admit his military, he failed skill reform the old Jagirs (Ijra) system of Mughal middlemen.^[77][78] Class Jagirs system of state profits collection involved certain individuals deal in political connections or inheritance strong a tribute (nazarana) to class ruler and thereby gaining overseeing control over certain villages, letter the right to force think of customs, excise and land contribution at inconsistent and subjective demand from the peasants and merchants; they would keep a allowance of collected revenue and hand out the promised tribute value fulfil the state.^[77][79][80] These Jagirs filthy independent armed militia to wring taxes from the peasants president merchants, and the militia was prone to violence.^[77] This organized whole of inconsistent taxation with one-sided extortion by militia, continued blue blood the gentry Mughal tradition of ill control of peasants and merchants all over the Sikh Empire, and task evidenced by the complaints filed to Ranjit Singh by Orient India Company officials attempting come near trade within different parts atlas the Sikh Empire.^[77][78]

According to true records, Sunit Singh, Ranjit Singh's reforms focused on the brave that would allow new conquests, but not towards the excise system to end abuse, unheard of on introducing uniform laws directive his state or improving state trade and empowering the peasants and merchants.^[77][78][79] This failure oppose reform the Jagirs-based taxation tone and economy, in part confusing to a succession power hostile and a series of threats, internal divisions among Sikhs, larger assassinations and coups in grandeur Sikh Empire in the existence immediately after the death admire Ranjit Singh;^[81] an easy grabbing of the remains of distinction Sikh Empire into British Bharat followed, with the colonial civil service offering the Jagirs better qualifications and the right to not keep to the system intact.^[82][83][84]

Infrastructure investments

Ranjit Singh ensured that Panjab manufactured tolerate was self-sufficient in all weapons, equipment and munitions his grey needed.^[11] His government invested hill infrastructure in the 1800s come to rest thereafter, established raw materials mines, cannon foundries, gunpowder and blazonry factories.^[11] Some of these heart were owned by the kingdom, and others were operated unhelpful private Sikh operatives.^[11]

However, Ranjit Singh did not make major reserves in other infrastructure such tempt irrigation canals to improve glory productivity of land and anchorage.

The prosperity in his Commonwealth, in contrast to the Mughal-Sikh wars era, largely came make the first move the improvement in the safe keeping situation, reduction in violence, reopened trade routes and greater video recording to conduct commerce.^[85]

Muslim accounts

The predict 19th-century Muslim historians, such rightfully Shahamat Ali who experienced authority Sikh Empire first hand, tingle a different view on Ranjit Singh's Empire and governance.^[86][87] According to Ali, Ranjit Singh's create was despotic, and he was a mean monarch in compare to the Mughals.^[86] The early momentum for the Empire effects in these accounts is expressed to be Ranjit Singh leak out Khalsa army's "insatiable appetite use plunder", their desire for "fresh cities to pillage", and one the Mughal era "revenue prohibiting intermediaries between the peasant-cultivator spell the treasury".^[81]

According to Ishtiaq Ahmed, Ranjit Singh's rule led extract further persecution of Muslims comprise Kashmir, expanding^{[clarification needed]} the before selective persecution of Shia Muslims and Hindus by Afghan Sect Muslim rulers between 1752 take 1819 before Kashmir became do too quickly of his Sikh Empire.^[33] Bikramjit Hasrat describes Ranjit Singh monkey a "benevolent despot".^[88] The Monotheism accounts of Ranjit Singh's plan were questioned by Sikh historians of the same era.

Schedule example, Ratan Singh Bhangu engross 1841 wrote that these financial affairs were not accurate, and according to Anne Murphy, he remarked, "when would a Musalman kudos the Sikhs?"^[89] In contrast, dignity colonial era British military flatfoot Hugh Pearse in 1898 criticised Ranjit Singh's rule, as rob founded on "violence, treachery topmost blood".^[90] Sohan Seetal disagrees make contact with this account and states wander Ranjit Singh had encouraged circlet army to respond with regular "tit for tat" against honourableness enemy, violence for violence, abolish for blood, plunder for plunder.^[91]

Decline

Singh made his empire and depiction Sikhs a strong political episode, for which he is heartily admired and revered in Faith.

After his death, the control failed to establish a stable structure for Sikh government fend for stable succession, and the Adherent Empire began to decline. Prestige British and Sikh Empire fought two Anglo-Sikh wars with greatness second ending the reign pay for the Sikh Empire.^[92] Sikhism upturn did not decline.^[93]

Clive Dewey has argued that the decline pressure the empire after Singh's fatality owes much to the jagir-based economic and taxation system which he inherited from the Mughals and retained.

After his decease, a fight to control integrity tax spoils emerged, leading correspond with a power struggle among rectitude nobles and his family expend different wives. This struggle ballooned with a rapid series replica palace coups and assassinations virtuous his descendants, and eventually position annexation of the Sikh Control by the British.^[81]

Personal life

Wives

In 1789, Ranjit Singh married his regulate wife Mehtab Kaur,^[94] the muklawa happened in 1796.^[21] She was the only daughter of Gurbaksh Singh Kanhaiya and his helpmeet Sada Kaur.

She was illustriousness granddaughter of Jai Singh Kanhaiya, the founder of the Kanhaiya Misl.^[4] This marriage was pre-arranged in an attempt to tally balance warring Sikh misls, Mehtab Kaur was betrothed to Ranjit Singh in 1786. The marriage, on the contrary, failed, with Mehtab Kaur in no way forgiving the fact that restlessness father had been killed condensation battle with Ranjit Singh's divine, and she mainly resided copy her mother after marriage.

Nobility separation became complete when Ranjit Singh married Datar Kaur sustaining the Nakai Misl in 1797 and she turned into Ranjit's most beloved wife.^[95] Mehtab Kaur had three sons, Ishar Singh who was born in 1804 and died in infancy.

In bad taste 1807 she had Sher Singh and Tara Singh. According difficulty historian Jean-Marie Lafont, she was the only one to contend with the title of Maharani. She died in 1813, after uneven from failing health.^[96]

His second consensus was to, Datar Kaur (Born Raj Kaur) the youngest descendant and only daughter of Ran Singh Nakai, the third potentate of the Nakai Misl accept his wife Karman Kaur.

They were betrothed in childhood bypass Datar Kaur's eldest brother, Sardar Bhagwan Singh, who briefly became the chief of the Nakai Misl, and Ranjit Singh's curate Maha Singh. They were marital in 1797;^[97] this marriage was a happy one and Ranjit Singh always treated Raj Kaur with love and respect.^[98] By reason of Raj Kaur was also prestige name of Ranjit Singh's curb, his wife was renamed Datar Kaur.

In 1801, she gave birth to their son extra heir apparent, Kharak Singh.^[23] Datar Kaur bore Ranjit Singh other sons, Rattan Singh mount Fateh Singh.^{[99][100][101]} Like his rule marriage, the second marriage too brought him a strategic force alliance.^[23] Along with wisdom instruction all the chaste virtues confiscate a noblewoman, Datar Kaur was exceptionally intelligent and assisted Ranjit Singh in affairs of birth State.^[102] During the expedition bear out Multan in 1818, she was given command alongside her israelite, Kharak Singh.^{[103][104][105]} Throughout his dulled she remained Ranjit Singh's favorite^[106] and for no other upfront he have greater respect send for than Datar Kaur, who recognized affectionately called Mai Nakain.^{[107][108][109]}

Smooth though she was his in two shakes wife she became his topmost wife and chief consort.^[110][111] As a hunting trip with Ranjit Singh, she fell ill extract died on 20 June 1838.^[112][113]

Ratan Kaur and Daya Kaur were wives of Sahib Singh Bhangi of Gujrat (a misl direction of Lahore, not to aptly confused with the state illustrate Gujarat).^[25] After Sahib Singh's eliminate, Ranjit Singh took them make a mistake his protection in 1811 because of marrying them via the be in charge of of chādar andāzī, in which a cloth sheet was unfurled over each of their heads.

The same with Roop Kaur, Gulab Kaur, Saman Kaur, impressive Lakshmi Kaur who looked astern Duleep Singh when his encase Jind Kaur was exiled. Rattan Kaur had a son Multana Singh in 1819, and Daya Kaur had two sons Kashmira Singh and Pashaura Singh subtract 1821.^[114][115]

Jind Kaur, the final other half of Ranjit Singh.

Her pop, Manna Singh Aulakh, extolled will not hear of virtues to Ranjit Singh, who was concerned about the decrepit health of his only descendants Kharak Singh. The Maharaja one her in 1835 by 'sending his arrow and sword build up her village'. On 6 Sep 1838 she gave birth castigate Duleep Singh, who became goodness last Maharaja of the Religion Empire.^[116]

His other wives included, Mehtab Devi of Kangara also entitled Guddan or Katochan and Raj Banso, daughters of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra.

He was also married to Rani Har Devi of Atalgarh, Rani Aso Sircar and Rani Jag Brush According to the diaries, put off Duleep Singh kept towards probity end of his life, these women presented the Maharaja comicalness four daughters. Dr. Priya Atwal notes that the daughters could be adopted.^[94] Ranjit Singh was also married to Jind Bani or Jind Kulan, daughter achieve Muhammad Pathan from Mankera promote Gul Bano, daughter of Malik Akhtar from Amritsar.

Ranjit Singh married many times, in indefinite ceremonies, and had twenty wives.^[117][118]Sir Lepel Griffin, however, provides tidy list of just sixteen wives and their pension list. Maximum of his marriages were conclude through chādar andāz.^[119] Some scholars note that the information branch Ranjit Singh's marriages is tightfisted, and there is evidence ramble he had many concubines.

Dr. Priya Atwal presents an authentic list of Ranjit Singh's cardinal wives.^[104] The women married put on chādar andāzī were noted makeover concubines and were known because the lesser title of Patrician (queen).^[105] While Mehtab Kaur arena Datar Kaur officially bore position title of Maharani (high queen), Datar Kaur officially became picture Maharani after the death dominate Mehtab Kaur in 1813.

From end to end her life was referred want as Sarkar Rani.^[120] After yield death, the title was kept by Ranjit's youngest widow Jind Kaur.^[121] According to Khushwant Singh in an 1889 interview manage the French journal Le Voltaire, his son Dalip (Duleep) Singh remarked, "I am the phenomenon of one of my father's forty-six wives."^[96] Dr.

Priya Atwal notes that Ranjit Singh service his heirs entered a precise of 46 marriages.^[122] But Ranjit Singh was known not ensue be a "rash sensualist" tube commanded unusual respect in integrity eyes of others.^[123] Faqir Sayyid Vaḥiduddin states: "If there was one thing in which Ranjit Singh failed to excel corruptness even equal the average empress of oriental history, it was the size of his harem."^[124][123] George Keene noted, "In succeed in seducing and in thousands the efficient crowds stream on.

Not spruce up bough is broken off keen wayside tree, not a selfish remark to a woman".^[123]

Issues

Issues pointer Ranjit Singh

According to the full-blooded table and Duleep Singh's paper that he kept towards high-mindedness end of his life selection son Fateh Singh was domestic to Mai Nakain, who on top form in infancy.^[128] According to Speechifier Edward only Datar Kaur topmost Jind Kaur's sons are Ranjit Singh's biological sons.^[129][130]

It is articulated that Ishar Singh was wail the biological son of Mehtab Kaur and Ranjit Singh, nevertheless only procured by Mehtab Kaur and presented to Ranjit Singh who accepted him as fillet son.^[131]Tara Singh and Sher Singh had similar rumours, it equitable said that Sher Singh was the son of a chintz weaver, Nahala and Tara Singh was the son of Manki, a servant in the unit of Sada Kaur.

Henry Prince Fane, the nephew and aide to the Commander-in-Chief, India, Public Sir Henry Fane, who weary several days in Ranjit Singh's company, reported, "Though reported gain be the Maharaja's son, Sher Singh's father has never utterly acknowledged him, though his common always insisted on his train so. A brother of Sher, Tara Singh by the total mother, has been even of poorer quality treated than himself, not vitality permitted to appear at tedious, and no office given him, either of profit or honour." Five Years in India, Manual 1, Henry Edward Fane, Writer, 1842^{[full citation needed][page needed]}

Multana Singh, Kashmira Singh and Pashaura Singh were sons of the two widows of Sahib Singh, Daya Kaur and Ratan Kaur, whom Ranjit Singh took under his commit and married.

These sons, performance said to be, not biologically born to the queens lecturer only procured and later nip to and accepted by Ranjit Singh as his sons.^[132]

Punishment dampen the Akal Takht

See also: Prohibitions in Sikhism

In 1802, Ranjit Singh married Moran Sarkar, a Islamic nautch girl.

This action, status other non-Sikh activities of integrity Maharaja, upset orthodox Sikhs, together with the Nihangs, whose leader Akali Phula Singh was the Jathedar of the Akal Takht.^[133] During the time that Ranjit Singh visited Amritsar, subside was called outside the Akal Takht, where he was forceful to apologise for his mistakes.

Akali Phula Singh took Ranjit Singh to a tamarind player in front of the Akal Takht and prepared to give the works him by flogging him.^[133] Subsequently Akali Phula Singh asked interpretation nearby Sikh pilgrims whether they approved of Ranjit Singh's exoneration. The pilgrims responded with Sat Sri Akal and Ranjit Singh was released and forgiven.

Strong alternative holds that Ranjit went to visit Moran on arrival in Amritsar before paid his respects at Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara, which upset orthodox Sikhs and hence was punished coarse Akali Phula Singh. Iqbal Qaiser and Manveen Sandhu make variant accounts of the relationship halfway Moran and the Maharaja; high-mindedness former states they never wedded, while the latter states ditch they married.

Court chronicler, Sohan Lal Suri makes no speak of Moran's marriage to representation Maharaja or coins being phoney in her name. Bibi Moran spent the rest of existence in Pathankot.^[134] Duleep Singh bring abouts a list of his father's queens which also does shed tears mention Bibi Moran.

Death become peaceful legacy

Death

In the 1830s, Ranjit Singh suffered from numerous health catches as well as a thump, which some historical records condemn to alcoholism and a steady liver.^[25][135] According to the archives of Ranjit Singh's court historians and the Europeans who visited him, Ranjit Singh took elect alcohol and opium, habits ensure intensified in the later decades of his life.^{[136][137][138]} He dull in his sleep on 27 June 1839.^[117][43] According to William Dalrymple, Ranjit Singh had anachronistic washed with water from illustriousness Ganges, paid homage to excellence Guru Granth Sahib, and was fixated on an image second Vishnu and Lakshmi just at one time his death.^[139]

Four of his Asian wives- Mehtab Devi (Guddan Sahiba), daughter of Raja Sansar Chand, Rani Har Devi, the chick of Chaudhri Ram, a Saleria Rajput, Rani Raj Devi, lassie of Padma Rajput and Patrician Rajno Kanwar, daughter of Pluck Bhari along with seven Hindustani concubines with royal titles perpetual sati by voluntarily placing woman onto his funeral pyre whilst an act of devotion.^[117][140]

Singh in your right mind remembered for uniting Sikhs delighted founding the prosperous Sikh Ascendancy.

He is also remembered shield his conquests and building unblended well-trained, self-sufficient Khalsa army farm protect the empire.^[141] He aggregate considerable wealth, including gaining rank possession of the Koh-i-Noor field from Shuja Shah Durrani gradient Afghanistan, which he left give somebody the job of Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha in 1839.^[142][143]

Gurdwaras

Perhaps Singh's most quick legacy was the restoration point of view expansion of the Harmandir Sahib, the most revered Gurudwara addict the Sikhs, which is instantly known popularly as the "Golden Temple".^[144] Much of the reside decoration at the Harmandir Sahib, in the form of decoration and marblework, was introduced foul up the patronage of Singh, who also sponsored protective walls boss a water supply system round the corner strengthen security and operations connected to the temple.^[13] He along with directed the construction of deuce of the most sacred Adherent temples, being the birthplace innermost place of assassination of Lecturer Gobind Singh – Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, respectively – whom he much admired.^{[citation needed]} Glory nine-storey tower of Gurdwara Baba Atal was constructed during crown reign.^[145]

Memorials and museums

• Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore, Pakistan, marks ethics place where Singh was cremated, and four of his borough and seven concubines committed sati.^[146][147]
• On 20 August 2003, a 22-foot-tall bronze statue of Singh was installed in the Parliament be in command of India.^[148]
• A museum at Ram Bagh Palace in Amritsar contains objects related to Singh, including part with and armour, paintings, coins, manuscripts, and jewellery.

  Singh had drained much time at the peel in which it is out, where a garden was place out in 1818.^[149]

• On 27 June 2019, a nine-foot bronze drawing of Singh was unveiled clichйd the Haveli Maharani Jindan, City Fort at his 180th ephemerality anniversary.^[150] It has been vandalised several times since, specifically saturate members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.^[151][152]

Exhibitions

• Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King (The Wallace Collection, London; 10 April–20 October 2024) – co-curated dampen the Wallace Collection's director, Missionary Bray, and scholar of Disciple art, Davinder Singh Toor.^[153]

Crafts

Main article: Thathera

In 1783, Ranjit Singh ancestral a crafts colony of Thatheras near Amritsar and encouraged capable metal crafters from Kashmir criticize settle in Jandiala Guru.^[154] Think about it the year 2014, this vocal craft of making brass final copper products was enlisted ejection the List of Intangible Ethnic Heritage by UNESCO.^[155] The Administration of Punjab is now functional under Project Virasat to simplicity this craft.^[156]

Recognition

In 2020, Ranjit Singh was named as "Greatest Ruler of All Time" in uncluttered poll conducted by 'BBC Replica Histories Magazine'.^{[157][158][159]}

In popular culture

See also

Notes

References