NATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY

BHOPAL

History-II

Topic- First Anglo Sikh War

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Himanshu Gautam Prof.(Dr.) Uday Pratap Singh

2018B.A.LL.B.88

Page 1 of 4
Introduction

The Sikh kingdom of Punjab was expanded and consolidated by Maharajah Ranjit

Singh during the early years of the nineteenth century, about the same time as the British-
controlled territories were advanced by conquest or annexation to the borders of the Punjab.
Ranjit Singh maintained a policy of wary friendship with the British, ceding some territory
south of the Sutlej River. Ranjit Singh died in 1839. Immediately after the death of Ranjit
Singh, the British East India Company had begun increasing its military strength, particularly
in the regions adjacent to the Punjab. For some British officials, there was a strong desire to
expand British influence and control into the Punjab, as it was the only remaining formidable
force that could threaten the British hold in India and the last remaining independent
kingdom not under British influence. The kingdom was also renowned for being the
wealthiest, the Koh-i-Noor being but one of its many treasures. The First Anglo-Sikh
War was fought between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company in 1845 and 1846. It
resulted in partial subjugation of the Sikh kingdom and cession of Jammu and Kashmir as a
separate princely state under British. In the Treaty of Lahore on 9 March 1846, the Sikhs
were made to surrender the valuable region (the Jullundur Doab) between the Beas
River and Sutlej River. The Lahore Durbar was also required to pay an indemnity of
15 million rupees.

Statement of Purpose

To draw a detailed analysis about the reasons and situations leading to the war, alongwith
its consequences and outbreak; and provide for the alternate geo political situation in the
absence of the war.

Objectives of study

1. To study the principle reasons responsible for the First Anglo Sikh War.
2. To draw the cultural and social impact of the given war.
3. To determine the political conquest and inter political relationship during the
given Period.
4. To examine the subsequent effects and treaties signed at the aftermath of the war.

Research Questions

Page 2 of 4
 1. What was the nature of the geo political situation governing the preceding
situation of the war?
2. What was the nature of Political institutions and Inter- Political Relationship
during the same?
3. What are the aftermath and consequent effects of the war?

Methodology

The proposed project work is based on doctrinal method of data collection .

Chapterization
1. Introduction
2. The Background of the War
3. The Causes of the War
4. Immediate Reasons leading to Outbreak of the War
5. The Course of the War
6. The Consequences of the War
7. The Treaty of Lahore
8. The Effect on Sikhs
9. The Effect on British Empire
10. Conclusions and Suggestions

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The following books have been made use of in the research of the project

1. The First Anglo Sikh War by Amarpal Singh

2. The First Great Battle of the Sikhs by David Smith
3. History of Anglo Sikh Wars by Om Prakash
4. Bright Eyes of Danger : An account of Anglo Sikh Wars by Bill Whitburn
5. The History of Punjab Vol I- by Khushwant Singh
Articles
1. The History of Sikh Wars - by Encyclopaedia Britanica
2. The First Anglo Sikh War - by Haroon Khalid
3. The History of Sikh Events- by Harbans Singh

Page 3 of 4
 4. The role of Sikhs against British- by Bawa Satinder Singh
5. The Effect of the Anglo Sikh Wars- By R Martens

Bibliography

1. Bright Eyes of Danger : An account of Anglo Sikh Wars by Bill Whitburn

2. The History of Sikh Events- by Harbans Singh
3. The First Great Battle of the Sikhs by David Smith
4. www.jstor.com
5. www.sparknotes.com
6. www.academia.edu
7. National Portal of India- for various reports of the same.
8. www.indiangov.in//official-website-archaelogicalsurveyofindia

Page 4 of 4