First Anglo-Sikh War, 1845-46

At a Glance

• What it is The first war between the Sikh kingdom and the English
• Years 1845-46
• Five defeats Mudki, Ferozeshah, Buddelwal, Aliwal and Sobraon
• Settlement Treaty of Lahore (March 1846) and Treaty of Bhairowal (December 1846)
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Conquest of Sindh and Punjab

Where Does It Fit?

This is the fourth topic of the category on the conquest of Sindh and Punjab. The previous topic ended with Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839. This topic covers the crisis that followed and the first war. The next topic covers the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the annexation of Punjab. Previous topic: Ranjit Singh and the English.

What Happened to Punjab After Ranjit Singh?

Ranjit Singh’s only legitimate son and successor, Kharak Singh, was not efficient, and court factions became active during his short reign. Kharak Singh’s sudden death and the accidental death of his son, Prince Nau Nihal Singh, as he returned from his father’s funeral, led to an anarchic situation. Plans and counter-plans of rival groups to capture the throne of Lahore gave the English an opportunity for decisive action.

The army, the pillar of the Sikh state, was far less strong than it looked. Ranjit Singh’s able generals, Mohkam Chand, Dewan Chand, Hari Singh Nalwa and Ram Dayal, were already dead. Discontent was growing among the troops because pay was irregular, and the appointment of unworthy officers led to indiscipline. The Lahore government kept up its friendship with the English and let British troops pass through its territory, once when they were fleeing from Afghanistan and again when they marched back to avenge their defeat. These marches caused commotion and economic dislocation in Punjab.

What Caused the War?

The outbreak of the war has been attributed to the Sikh army crossing the river Sutlej on 11 December 1845. This was seen as an aggressive move and gave the English the justification to declare war. The causes were more complex:

1. Anarchy at Lahore A power struggle between the court at Lahore and the increasingly powerful local army after Ranjit Singh’s death
2. Suspicion in the Sikh army English campaigns that annexed Gwalior and Sindh in the early 1840s and the campaign in Afghanistan in 1842
3. English build-up More English troops near the border with the Lahore kingdom

How Did the War Proceed?

The war began in December 1845 with about 20,000 to 30,000 troops on the British side while the Sikhs had about 50,000 men under the overall command of Lal Singh. The treachery of Lal Singh and Tej Singh is alleged to have caused five successive Sikh defeats. Lahore fell to the British forces on 20 February 1846 without a fight.

What Did the Treaty of Lahore Provide?

The war forced the Sikhs to sign a humiliating treaty in March 1846.

• War indemnity More than a crore of rupees to be paid to the English
• Territory The Jalandhar Doab, between the Beas and the Sutlej, annexed to the Company’s dominions
• Resident A British Resident at Lahore under Henry Lawrence
• Army The strength of the Sikh army reduced
• Ruler Daleep Singh recognised as ruler, with Rani Jindan as regent and Lal Singh as wazir
• Kashmir Since the Sikhs could not pay the whole indemnity, Kashmir including Jammu was sold to Gulab Singh for Rs 75 lakh, formalised by a separate treaty on 16 March 1846

What Was the Treaty of Bhairowal?

The Sikhs were unhappy with the Treaty of Lahore, especially over Kashmir, and rebelled. In December 1846 the Treaty of Bhairowal was signed. Rani Jindan was removed as regent, and a council of regency for Punjab was set up with eight Sikh sardars presided over by the English Resident, Henry Lawrence.

As an analytical point, after Bhairowal Punjab was independent in name only. The Resident ran the council, the army was reduced and the Jalandhar Doab was gone. The relation was now the same as that of Bengal under dual government, explained in Dual Government in Bengal, 1765-72: the English held the power while a native authority carried the form.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Collapse of the Sikh state The war shows how internal division destroyed a strong army
• Direct facts The five battles and the two treaties are common Prelims items
• Link to the second war The humiliating settlement prepared the Sikh revolt of 1848

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-49 and the annexation of Punjab. Next topic: Second Anglo-Sikh War, 1848-49, and the Annexation of Punjab.

Key People and Terms

• Khalsa army The Sikh army, the pillar of the state
• Rani Jindan The regent for Maharaja Daleep Singh
• Lal Singh and Tej Singh The Sikh wazir and commander accused of betraying the army
• Jalandhar Doab The land between the Beas and the Sutlej annexed in 1846
• Council of regency A body that rules for a child ruler
• Resident The Company officer at an Indian court

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions ask about the causes and results of the First Anglo-Sikh War. These points add depth.

• Internal crisis A leaderless state and an army with political power
• Alleged betrayal Commanders accused of treachery led to repeated defeats
• Settlement Territory, indemnity, Resident and a reduced army