Second Anglo-Sikh War

Second Anglo-Sikh War

The Second Anglo-Sikh War was a military conflict between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company that took place in 1848 and 1849. This war led to the fall of the Sikh Empire and the complete annexation of the Punjab into British India, marking a significant episode in the colonial history of India.

Background

The Second Anglo-Sikh War followed the uneasy peace that had existed since the end of the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846. The Treaty of Lahore, which concluded the first war, had severely weakened the Sikh state. The British had a significant political presence in the region, and the Punjab was effectively under the control of a British Resident. This period was marked by political instability and power struggles within the Sikh leadership.

Outbreak of the War

The immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Sikh War was the revolt of Mulraj, the governor of Multan, against the British authorities. In April 1848, Mulraj rebelled and killed the British Resident. This act sparked widespread rebellion throughout the Punjab, with various Sikh factions, previously subdued by the British, joining the revolt.

Major Battles

The conflict included several key battles:

• Battle of Ramnagar
• Battle of Chillianwala
• Battle of Gujrat

The Battle of Gujrat, fought on 21 February 1849, was a decisive battle where the British forces, under the command of Sir Hugh Gough, defeated the Sikh army led by Sher Singh Attariwalla. This victory led directly to the end of the war and the surrender of the Sikh forces.

Aftermath

Following the British victory, the Treaty of Lahore was revised, and the entire region of the Punjab was annexed by the British. The last Sikh Maharaja, Duleep Singh, was deposed and sent into exile. The annexation marked the end of the Sikh Empire and the beginning of direct British rule over the Punjab, which introduced significant changes in the administrative and social structure of the region.

Legacy

The Second Anglo-Sikh War had profound impacts on the region and the future of British India. It not only marked the end of one of the last resistances against British expansion in India but also set the stage for the British Raj's consolidation in the subcontinent. Template:British-India-stub