Question

Why were the British not successful in establishing their rule in Punjab during the reign of Maharana Ranjit Singh?

Answer 1

Instructions:
Mention the followring pointers;

• Give a brief account of the British activities in the northern part of India.
• Write about British relations with the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• Mention the strong army forces under Maharana Ranjit Singh.

Solution:

• The British moved to the northern part of India after signing the Subsidiary Alliance treaty with Mysore, Hyderabad and Maratha states. They established a friendship with Nepal, sensing a threat from them. They defeated the Afghans and established their rule in Sind with the help of the Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• The British aimed to capture the Sikh kingdom, but they were unsuccessful. The Sikh rule was under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a strong ruler; therefore, the British had to maintain friendly relations with him.
• For the protection of his state, Maharaja Ranjit Singh raised a strong army with the assistance of European officers. This strong army helped him to attain victories over many nearby states. Following his death, Punjab devolved into anarchy until it was completely subdued by then-Governor General Sir Henry Hardinge.