Empire Of The Sikhs : The Life And Times Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

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A long-awaited book on the epoch-making events that led to the creation of the Sikh empire and the role played by its founder, Ranjit Singh Inheriting his father’s misl (or chiefdom) at a very young age, Ranjit Singh (1780–1839) soon made his presence felt. A school dropout who lost sight in his left eye due to a childhood illness, he was truly at home only in the saddle. His military and political genius united the twelve warring Sikh misls, absorbed numerous Hindu and Muslim territories, threw back the invading Afghans and held up British supremacy from spreading all over the Indian subcontinent for close to half a century. He built up a kingdom in Punjab that virtually extended over the entire area north of Delhi, almost to Kabul in the north-west and to Tibet in the north-east. But what makes him unique among empire builders was his consummate humanity: he tortured no one, gave employment and responsibility to defeated foes, provided non-Sikhs a majority share in his government, and honoured other faiths. Ranjit Singh’s powerful empire looked set to dominate the future of northern India for a long time, until soon after his death, the British encouraged and exploited treachery within the Sikh ranks and annexed his kingdom. Since then, his image and place in history have been dependent on often false British accounts and judgements. Empire of the Sikhs sets the record straight on one of the great figures of Indian history. This book is a welcome and vital new addition to India’s historical literature.