The Last Stand of the Sikh Empire: A Story of Defiance and National Identity

The Punjab region was a coveted prize for the British, who viewed it as a gateway to India’s northwest frontier. The region was strategically important for trade and military reasons, and the British had been eyeing it for a long time. However, Ranjit Singh, who had formed a powerful empire in the region in the early 19th century, had been able to resist British expansion. The Punjabis were known for their military prowess and had been successful in defeating the British in a number of battles. 

The British first began to show interest in the Punjab region in the early 19th century. At that time, the region was ruled by a number of small kingdoms that were constantly fighting among themselves. The British saw an opportunity to gain control of the region and began to intervene in the affairs of the local rulers. However, their efforts were largely unsuccessful, as the local rulers were able to resist British expansion. 

In the 1820s and 1830s, a new power emerged in the region. The Sikhs, who had previously been a relatively minor force, began to consolidate their power and form a powerful empire. The Sikh Empire was founded by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was able to unite the various Sikh factions and establish a strong centralized government.

Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s leadership, the Sikh Empire became a formidable force in the region.The Punjabis were known for their martial traditions and their military might, and they had successfully resisted the attempts by the British to annex their territory. However, after Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, the Sikh Empire began to weaken, and the British saw an opportunity to gain control of the region. To fulfill this design the British had to have two bloody wars with the Punjabis. These two wars let the world know how resistant the Punjabis are. They lost the wars because of certain internal rivalries and conspiracies but made the British say that Punjabis are the “the Martial Race”. These two wars always make me to recall what Hector said to Achilles in the great Greek epic by Homer;

…………….! Then welcome Fate!

‘Tis true I perish, yet I perish great:

Yet in a mighty Deed I shall expire,

Let future Ages hear it, and admire! 

The first Anglo-Sikh War broke out in 1845, with the British seeking to expand their control over the region. The Sikh forces, led by their commander-in-chief, Hari Singh Nalwa, put up a strong resistance against the British. The British, however, were able to use their superior firepower and military tactics to defeat the Sikhs. The Treaty of Lahore, signed in 1846, forced the Sikhs to cede territory to the British and pay a large indemnity.

The Sikhs, however, were not willing to accept British rule and continued to resist. In 1848, the second Anglo-Sikh War broke out, with the Sikhs once again putting up a strong defense. The British were able to defeat the Sikhs after a long and bloody conflict, but the resistance put up by the Sikhs showed the British that they could not take the region for granted. Dr. Gurcharan Singh in his book Studies in Punjab History & Culture writes,

“Punjabi Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus fought as one against the wily British under heaviest odds and made them feel the taste of their steel in the battle of Mudki, Ferozshah and Chelianwala. Stories are still current of the incredible heroism displayed by sons of Punjab like Sardar Sham Singh Attari and General Sher Singh and their patriotic ranks.”

Despite their eventual defeat, the Sikhs’ resistance to British rule left a lasting impression on the region’s history. The Sikhs’ national identity and their fierce resistance to foreign rule have become a part of their cultural heritage, and their legacy continues to inspire the people of the region today. The annexation of the Punjab region marked a turning point in British rule in India, and the resistance put up by the Punjabis played a significant role in shaping the region’s history.

One of the key reasons why the Punjabis were able to resist British rule was their strong sense of identity and unity. The Punjabis also had a strong martial tradition, which was developed over centuries of conflict with neighboring powers. The Punjabi armies were well-trained and well-equipped, and they were able to hold their own against the British despite being outnumbered and outgunned. The Punjabis were also skilled at guerrilla warfare, which allowed them to inflict significant losses on the British despite their superior firepower.

Another factor that contributed to the Punjabis’ resistance was their leadership. The Sikh Empire was founded by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was a charismatic and visionary leader. Shah Muhammad-known as the National Poet of Punjab-writes about Ranjit Singh in his 

Jangnama Hind Punjab;

“Jahan bali Ranjit Singh hoya paida naal zor dey mulk hala gea

Multan, Kashmir, Pishaur, Chanmba, Jamu, Kangra Kot nawa gea

Hor deis Ladakh tey Cheen tor’I sikka apney naam chala gea

Shah Muhammada! Jaan pachaas barsaan acha raj kay raaj kama gea”

“Then came upon the scene Ranjit Singh, the warrior king,

Whose mere name made the enemy tremble.

He conquered Multan and Kashmir; Peshawar and Chamba;

And Jammu and Kangra—And so on and so forth. 

His name, like true coin, prevailed Up to far-off Ladakh and Tibet and China.

O Shah Mohammed!For fifty years on end did he rule

And whetted his appetite for glory and power.

He was able to unite the various Sikh factions and establish a strong centralized government, which helped to ensure the stability and security of the empire. After his death, however, the empire began to weaken, and the leadership of the Sikh community became fragmented. Palace conspiracies and race for power made it more difficult for the Sikhs to resist British expansion. Shah Muhammad points out this flaw of Punjabi Empire in his Jangnama;

“Sachey sahab dey hath ni sab gallan kisey haar deve kisey jeet deve

Ik lakh beta sawa lakh pota Ravan marya gharaan dey bhet miyan

Shah Muhammada! Jaan da jug saraa kayee surmey avan gey khait miyan”

“Everything's in the hands of God alone;

Some He grants victory and some the shame of defeat.

With one Lakh sons and one-and-a-quarter lakh grandsons,

Even the invincible Ravana got killed when betrayed by an insider.

O Shah Mohammed! The whole world knew it fully well

That many warriors were to fall on the battlefield.”

Despite these challenges, the Sikhs were able to put up a strong resistance to British rule. Their resistance showed that the Punjabi people were not willing to accept foreign rule and were willing to fight to protect their independence and identity. The legacy of this resistance continues to inspire the people of the region today and serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and identity in the face of external threats.