First Sikh War

In 1845-46, the British fought a war against the powerful Sikh Empire in the Punjab. After several bitterly fought battles, the conflict ended with the British taking partial control of the Sikh territories.

Sikh Empire

During the early 19th century, the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab (a region now encompassing parts of northern India and eastern Pakistan) was built and expanded under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. During the same period, British India was also growing, under the control of the East India Company, so that by the 1830s its territory was adjacent to the Punjab.

Ranjit Singh was a skilled politician, who maintained an uneasy alliance with the British, while increasing the strength of his army to deter any possible aggression. However, when he died in 1839, the Punjab fell into chaos. There was a succession of weak and short-lived rulers - some of whom were assassinated - and increasing tension between the army and royal court, where the infant Duleep Singh was eventually installed as Maharaja, with his mother as Regent.

Eyeing the disorder with concern, the British started to build up their forces on the borders of the Punjab, strengthening their cantonment at Ferozepore. Some British officials hoped for war, believing the Sikhs were the only remaining power that could threaten their hold over India.

To be continued...