Maharaja Ranjit Singh- rare expansionist Indian monarch
Introduction
It is a popular belief that India never attacked any country in the entire history. But this belief is illogical as India was never a political entity before British rule. It goes to the credit of British that today we are one nation. As we were not one nation, there is no way India could attack any country. There was no India as a political unit and no ruler of the entire king. But the Indian kings were not so peaceful. Each princely state- say Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi- was a country in itself. The kings of these countries attacked each other. Rajputs as well as many other communities are well known for their gallantry. The only reason why these kings did not reach outside the present boundary of India is the sheer size of the country and lack of transportation facilities. The countries outside the present India were technically more advanced and so invaders came to far off India. But the vastness of the region and lack of infrastructure could not enable them to conquer whole of India. Mughal King Aurangzeb had probably ruled over largest ever area but he was also not ruler of entire region now forming India.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruler of Punjab
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the only ruler who invaded the regions outside present India. But here also we must remember that he never had India in his mind. Like other rulers, he was also king of Punjab only. For him, Afghanistan was nearer than Delhi. Hence, he would consider Delhi as more foreign than Kabul. This is what led him to make an agreement with British for mutual benefit of both. Ranjit Singh would not attack British India and the British would not attack Punjab. Had Ranjit Singh considered that Punjab was part of India, he would not make such agreement with British. Ranjit Singh was born on 13th November 1780 in Gujranwala (Punjab). He lost one eye as a result of small pox in his childhood. In those days, Punjab was politically ruled by Sarbat Khalasa (a sort of confederation) that consisted of misls. Ranjit Singh's father Maha Singh was commander of Suykerchakia misl that controlled West Punjab. On death of his father, Ranjit Singh was under guardianship of his mother Raj Kaur and mother in law Sada Kaur. He was crowned on 12th April 1801 as the Maharaja of Punjab. Then he was barely twenty years old.
Ranjit Singh's saga of conquests
The first notable achievement of Ranjit Singh was capture of Lahore- present day capital of Punjab province of Pakistan. He captured Lahore from Bhangi misl and later made this his capital. Soon he conquered other misls and laid foundation of Sikh Empire. He not only annexed the entire territory of Punjab but also extended his empire to Kashmir. He took Amritsar from Bhangi sardari and also conquered kasur and Multan. His most notable victory was against Afghans. Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa stripped Afghans of all their power. The last confrontation between the Sikhs and Afghans was in the battle of Jamrud in 1837. Hari singh Nalwa was killed in he battle. The Afghans retreated to Kabul where they had to face Persian invasion. As the Afghans were driven out, the Sikhs invaded ethnic Pashtun territories. Ultimately, the whole of Punjab, Peshawar, Jammu & Kashmir came under the regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The neighboring states became tributary states.
Maharja Ranjit Singh had an agreement with British East India Company according to which both would honor each other's territorial interests. British would not interfere with or attack the territories controlled by Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Sing would not expand his empire to the terriotories that were already under control of East India Company. Both were loyal to their word. But things changed when Mahraja Ranjit Singh died. He died in 1839. Therfe was poor governance after his demise. In 1845, the Sikh empire was defeated. According to peace treaty, the Sikh army was reduced to a nominal force. All major decisions were taken by East India Company. Ranjit Singh's son Dalip singh was crowned in 1839. In 1849, British annexed the Sikh empire. However, the British did not neglect the interests of Ranjit Singh's son Dalip Singh. British Government treated Dalip Singh as 'own son'. He was under protection of the crown. He was converted to Christianity and married in England. Thus British took over not only Ranjit Singh's royal responsibility but also his family obligations.
A glorious and splendor of Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was most glorious monarch. The powerful British East India Company had also to compromise with him. Mahraja Ranjit Singh had with him French military experts. He was fully equipped to deal with Europeans the best suited to them. Kohinoor diamond gifted to him by Shuja Shah Durrani of Afghanistan symbolized Ranjit singh's splendor. He had such a powerful personality that his foreign minister, Azizuddin likened him to Sun. Maharaja had lost one in childhood from small pox. In reply to question by British Governor General Auckland in Simla, Azizuddin said- "The Maharaja is like the sun and sun has only one eye. The splendor and luminosity of his single eye is so much that I have never dared to look at his other eye."
He was known as Sher-e Punjab (Lion of Punjab). Captain William Murray wrote in his memoirs- "Ranjit Singh has been likened to Mehmet Ali and to Napoleon. There are some points in which he resembles both, but estimating his character with reference to his circumstances and positions, he is perhaps a more remarkable man than either. There was no ferocity in his disposition and he never punished a criminal with death even under circumstances of aggravated offence. Humanity indeed, or raher tenderness for life, was a trait in the character of Ranjit singh. There is no instance of his having wantonly infused his hand in blood."
First secular state
Presently, India is a secular state. Ranjit Singh was a Sikh monarch and yet he is considered secular. This is because there was no discrimination based on religion in his regime. He had employed officers and staff on basis of their job suitability only. Sikh, Muslim and Christian were among his ministers/ advisers. Although all religions were treated alike, Sikhs had suspicion on Muslim clergy. It goes to credit of Sikhs that they never demolished any place of worship of enemy.
Although there was equal treatment to all communities, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a patron of Sikh shrines. He admired the teachings of last sikh Guru Govind Singh. He got built two Gurudwara in memory of Guru Govind Singh, namely Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the birth place of Guru Govind Singh and takht Sri Huzur Sahib, at Nanded (Maharashtra) where the Guru died.
Many may question how Ranjit Singh could be secular when he patronized Sikh religion. Giving equal opportunities to all in army and civil posts and respect to all religions is what gives him a secular character. Here it will be relevant to recall that Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, theological state based on religion was characterized as secular by prominent Indian politician Lal Krishna Adwani. Jinna had stated in Pakistan assembly that all citizens irrespective of religion would be treated equally. Jinna did not live to translate his idea of secular Pakistan but Mahara Ranjit Singh had done so.
An important reason behind Ranjit Singh's secularism could be that he understood that a strong kingdom could be built with cooperation of all irrespective of religion. Administrative and military efficiency would depend on best contribution by all and total peace, calm and unity within the kingdom. He would also have considered success of Emperor Akbar who built an empire by building unity with Hindu Rajputs and also ultimate downfall of Mughal empire in face of confrontation with various religious groups like Satnamis, Rajputs etc.
Pride of India
It may be said that Ranjit Singh was pride of India. He stood as a rock against British expansion and rather he expanded his own kindgom and compelled British to compromise with him. British were his friends and not masters. This is unlike other Indian kings who had completely surrendered to British. His ideals of secularism and equality of all citizens before state are relevant even today.
Source of image- wikipedia
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