Question

Statement I: Governor-General Lord Hardinge declared war against the Sikhs on 13 December, 1845.

Statement II: The Sikhs were defeated at the Battle of Mudki because their leaders Lal Singh and Tej Singh fled from the battlefield.

• A. Only Statement I is correct.
• B. Only Statement II is correct.
• C. Both Statements I and II are correct.
• D. Both Statements I and II are incorrect.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both Statements I and II are correct.

In 1845, Lal Singh and Tej Singh instigated the Sikh Army against the British whilst secretly conspiring with the British. Governor-General Lord Hardinge declared war against the Sikhs in December, 1845. In preparation for the battle, Sir Hugh Gough led the British army to Mudki, some fifteen km from Ferozeshah. Lal Singh and Tej Singh led 60,000 Sikhs to battle the British troops. The Sikhs fought bravely but were defeated because Lal Singh and Tej Singh fled from the battlefield.