Question

Write a note on the Anglo-Sikh wars

Answer 1

Instructions: This is a 3 Mark answer. So to fetch full marks we must state all the conditions of the Subsidiary Alliance.

Solution:

• Punjab plunged into political turmoil after the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839. The British tried to invade Punjab violating the friendship pact they had with the erstwhile king. In December 1845, a war broke out between the British and Punjab.
• Realising the danger from the British, the Hindus and the Sikhs joined together to defeat them.But they had to accept defeat and sign the humiliating Treaty of Lahore in 1846.
• The Sikhs led by Chattar Singh Attariwala in Lahore and Moolraj in Multan opposed the attempts by the British to rule Punjab directly. But they were defeated.
• Finally, Lord Dalhousie merged the state of Punjab with the British empire.