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[edit] Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Sher-e-Punjab

Ranjit Singh and his secular rule in Punjab

India Harmony Volume - 1 : Issue - 2, 2013

The Sikhs established their Empire in Punjab, following the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707. Despite the fact that the Sikhs were generally united against the attacks of the likes of Ahmed Shah Abdali and Nadir Shah, the period saw a series of rapid governmental changes that pushed it in to the depths of anarchy. The city of Amritsar was attacked numerous times. Yet the time is remembered by Sikh historians as the "Heroic Century". This is mainly to describe the rise of Sikhs to political power against large odds.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh1

Popularly known as the 'Lion of Panjab', Ranjit Singh was not only the greatest man of his time in Punjab, but, was also among the few leading figures of the history of that period.

His reign was marked by benevolent rule, all round development, secular values and patriotic fervour. A statesman and a brilliant military strategist, Ranjit Singh was much ahead of his times in almost every spherearmy organisation, civil administration, foreign policy and, above all, the treatment of his subjects belonging to diverse faiths and cultures. Rising from the position of head of one of the twelve confederacies in Punjab, he became the first Indian ruler who stemmed the tide of continuous invasions from the North-west and succeeded in carrying his flag into the homeland of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali - the Afghan invaders and plunderers of the affluent Hindustan.

The marble and red sand stone building inside the Lahore fort,

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is remembered for uniting the Punjab as a strong nation and his possession of the Koh-i-noor diamond. Ranjit Singh willed the Koh-i-noor to Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa while on his deathbed in 1839. His most lasting legacy was the beautification of the Harmandir Sahib, most revered Gurudwara of the Sikhs, with marble and gold, from which the popular name of the “Golden Temple” is derived.

Though a devout Sikh himself, the Maharaja had the same reverence for the religious beliefs of other faiths. Soon after becoming the ruler of Lahore, the first act of the Maharaja was to offer prayers at the Badshahi Masjid adjacent to the Lahore Fort. The Maharaja gave liberal grants to the shrines of Jawala Mukhi in Kangra, Jagannath Puri, Benaras, Haridwar, Dargah of Mian Mir in Lahore and the birthplace of Baba Farid in Pak Pattan.

Maharani Gul Bahar Begum,

Ranjit Singh vas able to rise above the communal prejudices of his times and treated all his subjects on equal footing. Competent persons from all faiths - Sikh, Hindu, Muslim - occupied high positions in the court of the Maharaja. That the Maharaja was able to create a sense of Panjabi nationalism is evident from the fact that when, after his death, the British compelled the Lahore Durbar to take up arms, all communities- Hindu, Muslim and Sikh-fought shoulder to shoulder and ungrudgingly mingled their blood in a vain attempt to save the first Panjabi sovereign state established by Ranjit Singh. The Maharaja was able to do what no other Indian ruler had done before by making Panjabis realise that being a Panjabi was more important than being Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. He was the founding father of Panjabiyat-his army and administration fully represented all the three communities Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born on 13th November 1780 at Gujranwala in Punjab. His father Sardar Mahan Singh was a Chieftain and a Warrior.

Ranjit Singh's Samadhi in Lahore

At a young age, Maharaja Ranjit Singh became a champion swimmer, an expert horse-rider and an able swordsman. He was greatly inspired by the fact that Guru Gobind Singh ji's two elder sons had fought the Mughals very bravely at the tender age of 14 and 17. Maharaja Ranjit Singh led his first war at the age of 11 years and defeated the army of the ruler of Gujarat.

Later he fought two severe battles with the Afghans, with a smaller army and took over the city of Lahore. After decades of misrule by foreign invaders, the people of Lahore heaved a sigh of relief when the Maharaja assured the citizens of safety and good administration. Under Ranjit Singh's leadership, the various Sikh Chiefs were united and on Baisakhi day of 1801, they conferred the title of 'Maharaja of the Punjab" on him. Maharaja Ranjit Singh systematically extended the frontiers of Punjab and brought the regions around Amritsar, Lahore, Multan, Kashmir and Peshawar under his rule. He was never proud or arrogant despite all the victories won by him. A liberal ruler, he did not bother about the colour, creed, caste or nationalities of his employees. A number of English, Italian, German, French and American Officers were engaged in his armed forces. They trained the Maharaja's Army and improved its organisation & efficiency. Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army was full of men from different faiths and nationalities, but there was no jealousy or bickering between them. His court was cosmopolitan - consisting of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims, all of whom loved him dearly.

Democracy was the keystone of Ranjit Singh’s rule and he never isolated himself from the masses. A very kind and generous ruler, he ruled in a truly secular and just manner, permitting equal rights for all communities in Punjab. He also encouraged development of educational institutions and industries by the different communities. The British signed a peace-treaty with Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809, which they broke as soon as he died. Khalsa kingdom under Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most peaceful time Punjabis had ever seen. This period of 40 years was the Golden era of Punjab. Muslims, Hindus and Sikh reaffirmed their roots. several schools were opened, especially Khalsa schools at Amritsar and Lahore run by Sikh academicians, which were open to the entire population.