Second Anglo-Sikh War, 1848-49, and the Annexation of Punjab
Modern History › Conquest of Sindh and Punjab · Topic 7.5
The Second Anglo-Sikh War began with Mulraj's revolt at Multan in April 1848. After the costly Chillianwala (13 January 1849) and the English victory at Gujrat (21 February 1849), the Sikh army surrendered in March 1849, and Lord Dalhousie annexed Punjab.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Conquest of Sindh and Punjab
At a Glance
- What it is The last war with the Sikh state and its annexation
- Years 1848-49
- Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, an expansionist
- Result Punjab annexed in 1849; a three-member Board of Administration
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Conquest of Sindh and Punjab
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fifth topic of the category on the conquest of Sindh and Punjab. The previous topic covered the first war and the humiliating treaties. This topic covers the revolt of 1848 and the annexation. The next topic assesses the significance of the Anglo-Sikh Wars. Previous topic: First Anglo-Sikh War, 1845-46.
What Caused the Second War?
The defeat in the first war and the provisions of the Treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal were highly humiliating for the Sikhs. Inhuman treatment given to Rani Jindan, who was sent to Benares as a pensioner, added to the resentment.
Mulraj, the governor of Multan, was to be replaced by a new Sikh governor over a dispute about an increase in annual revenue. Mulraj revolted and murdered two English officers who accompanied the new governor. Sher Singh was sent to suppress the revolt but joined Mulraj himself, which led to a mass uprising in Multan. This can be considered the immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, a hardcore expansionist, got the pretext to annex Punjab completely.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Vans Agnew and Anderson attacked at Multan | April 1848 |
| Sher Singh joins Mulraj | September 1848 |
What Was the Course of the War?
Lord Dalhousie himself proceeded to Punjab. Three important battles were fought before the final annexation.
| Battle | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ramnagar | 1848 | Led by Sir Hugh Gough, commander-in-chief of the Company |
| Chillianwala | 13 January 1849 | A costly battle for the British, which Gough claimed as a victory; some units lost their colours |
| Gujrat | 21 February 1849 | A small town on the Jhelum; the Sikh army was defeated after a heavy bombardment |
After Gujrat the Sikh army surrendered at Rawalpindi, and their Afghan allies were chased out of India.
What Was the Result?
At the end of the war came the surrender of the Sikh army and Sher Singh in 1849, and the annexation of Punjab. For his services the Earl of Dalhousie was given the thanks of the British Parliament and a promotion in the peerage as Marquess. A three-member board was set up to govern Punjab, comprising the Lawrence brothers (Henry and John) and Charles Mansel. In 1853 the board was ended and Punjab was placed under a chief commissioner. John Lawrence became the first chief commissioner.
- Surrender The Sikh army and Sher Singh surrendered in March 1849
- Annexation Punjab was annexed at the end of March 1849 by Lord Dalhousie
- Board of Administration Henry Lawrence, John Lawrence and Charles Mansel governed Punjab
- Chief commissioner From 1853 John Lawrence was the first chief commissioner
What Was Dalhousie’s Role in the Campaign?
Dalhousie, with Gough, delayed the main operations until the cold season. When the fort at Attock fell to the Sikh side, he ordered Gough to destroy Sher Singh’s army before the Sikh general Chattar Singh could join it. He called the English claim of victory at Chillianwala perhaps poetical. At Gujrat, Gough opened with a heavy bombardment from nearly a hundred guns before sending cavalry in pursuit. On 12 March 1849 Chattar Singh and Sher Singh surrendered near Rawalpindi, and about twenty thousand men laid down their arms. Dalhousie proclaimed the annexation at the end of March. As an analytical point, the campaign shows that the second war was won by patience, guns and numbers, after the first had been won with the help of Sikh divisions.
How Does This Annexation Compare With Others?
The annexation of Punjab by conquest is different from the later annexation by lapse, which is explained in Doctrine of Lapse. In Punjab the English used a revolt as a pretext and then took the whole state, while in lapse states the claim rested on a ruler dying without a natural heir. As an analytical point, both are forms of Dalhousie’s policy of expansion, and both were justified at the time as the lawful result of the other side’s breach.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- End of the last major independent power Punjab was the last great Indian state to fall to the English
- Direct facts Multan, Chillianwala, Gujrat and the Board of Administration are common Prelims items
- Dalhousie’s policy It shows his expansionist approach
What Came Next?
The next topic assesses the significance of the Anglo-Sikh Wars. Next topic: Significance of the Anglo-Sikh Wars.
Key People and Terms
- Mulraj The governor of Multan whose revolt began the war
- Chillianwala The costly January 1849 battle
- Gujrat The February 1849 battle that ended the Sikh resistance
- Board of Administration The three-member board that governed Punjab after 1849
- Chief commissioner The post that replaced the board in 1853
- Dalhousie The Governor-General who annexed Punjab
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Mulraj of Multan revolted in 1848; Sher Singh joined him.
- Battles: Ramnagar, Chillianwala (13 January 1849), Gujrat (21 February 1849).
- Punjab annexed at the end of March 1849 by Dalhousie.
- Board: Henry Lawrence, John Lawrence, Charles Mansel.
- John Lawrence was the first chief commissioner in 1853.
Do Not Confuse With
- Chillianwala and Gujrat Chillianwala (January 1849) was costly for the English; Gujrat (February 1849) was decisive
- Sher Singh the Maharaja and Sher Singh the commander The Maharaja was murdered in 1843; the commander joined Mulraj in 1848
- Board of Administration and chief commissioner The board ruled until 1853; then a chief commissioner
Memory Hook
Multan lit it, Gujrat ended it, Dalhousie took it.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the causes of the second war and the annexation. These points add depth.
- Pretext Mulraj’s revolt gave Dalhousie the reason to annex
- Military course Chillianwala was costly; Gujrat was decisive
- Administration A board, then a chief commissioner, governed the new province
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the circumstances in which Punjab was annexed in 1849.”
How to Answer
- Cause The humiliating treaties and the Multan revolt.
- War The battles of Ramnagar, Chillianwala and Gujrat.
- Annexation Dalhousie’s proclamation and the board.
- Conclude Say that the annexation fitted Dalhousie’s expansionist policy.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
The humiliating treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal and the treatment of Rani Jindan caused resentment among the Sikhs. The immediate cause was the revolt of Mulraj, governor of Multan, in April 1848, when Sher Singh sent to suppress it joined him, which gave Dalhousie the pretext to annex Punjab.
Which battles were fought in the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
Three important battles were fought: Ramnagar, led by Sir Hugh Gough, Chillianwala in January 1849, and Gujrat on 21 February 1849. After Gujrat the Sikh army surrendered at Rawalpindi and their Afghan allies were chased out of India.
Who annexed Punjab?
Lord Dalhousie, a hardcore expansionist, annexed Punjab at the end of March 1849 after the Sikh army and Sher Singh surrendered. He proceeded to Punjab himself, and was given the thanks of Parliament and made Marquess for his services.
What was the Board of Administration?
The Board of Administration was a three-member board of Henry Lawrence, John Lawrence and Charles Mansel that governed Punjab after its annexation in 1849. In 1853 the board was ended and Punjab was placed under a chief commissioner, with John Lawrence as the first.
What happened at Chillianwala?
At Chillianwala on 13 January 1849, Gough attacked Sher Singh's concealed army late in the day, and the battle was costly for the British, some units losing their colours. Gough claimed victory, but the Sikhs held their ground, and the decisive English win came only at Gujrat.
Why did Mulraj revolt?
Mulraj, the governor of Multan, was to be replaced by a new governor over a dispute on an increase in annual revenue. He revolted and two English officers who accompanied the new governor were murdered, and the Sikh troops sent against him, led by Sher Singh, joined him.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Second Anglo-Sikh War began with the revolt of Mulraj at Multan.
Two English officers were murdered.
2 The Battle of Gujrat was fought on 21 February 1849.
The Sikh army surrendered afterwards.
3 Punjab was annexed by Lord Hardinge in 1849.
It was annexed by Lord Dalhousie.
4 The first chief commissioner of Punjab was John Lawrence.
He took office in 1853.
5 Lord Dalhousie did not receive any honour for the annexation of Punjab.
He got the thanks of Parliament and became Marquess.
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