Second Anglo-Sikh War Battles & Annexation of Punjab

The second Anglo-Sikh War was fought in 1848-49 when Lord Dalhouise was the Governor-General of India and Maharaja Dalip Singh was the minor ruler of Lahore. The following battles were fought between the British and the Sikhs :

The Battle of Ramnagar, November 22, 1848 AD. :

• The army of Sher Singh Attariwala encamped on the right side of river Chenab. On November 6, 1848 A.D. the British army crossed the river Ravi. Under the leadership of Lord Gough On November 22, a clash took place between both the armies at Ramnagar. In this War, the Britishers were defeated and two of their prominent generals were killed.

Battle of Chillianwala, January 13, 1849 A.D. :

• In the first week of January, 1849 A.D Lord Gough got the news that Chattar Singh had captured Attock. So, on January 12 he reached Dinghi along with his army, twelve Kms. away from the camps of Sikh army. On January 13, the Britishers attacked the Sikh army on the orders of Gough. A fierce battle took place. The Sikhs inflicted heavy losses on the Britishers. Sir Charles Napier was appointed Chief General in place of General Gough.

Occupation of Multan by the Britishers, January 22, 1849 A.D. :

• Under the Leadership of Mulraj, the rebels of Multan fought with the British army. On December 30, a bomb thrown by the British army on the fort proved fatal for the rebels. Due to this bomb Mulraj lost explosive material worth four lac pounds. More than five hundred rebels were also killed. Mulraj was left with no choice but to surrender before the General's wish. He surrendered on January 22.

Battle of Gujarat, February 21,1849 A.D. :

• A decisive battle took place at Gujarat between the Britishers and the Sikhs. Before this war Chattar Singh and Sher Singh got together. Maharaj Singh also sided with Attariwala Sardars. The ruler of Afghanistan, Dost Mohammad also took side of the Sikhs.

On February 21, 1849 at 7:30 A.M the Gujarat war started between the two groups on the bank of river Chenab. After one hour's bombardment, the ammunition of the Sikhs exhausted. But even then the Sikhs fought on bravely but being out numbered by the enemies, the Sikhs had to face defeat.

Results :

Annexation of Punjab, March 29,1849 A.D. :

• The Punjab State was dissolved after the defeat of Sikhs in the Second Anglo-Sikh War on March 29, 1849 on the orders of the Governor General Lord Dalhouise. Maharaja Dalip Singh was dethroned. The Britishers captured the entire property of Punjab including the Kohinoor diamond. Dalip Singh’s pension was fixed between four to five lacs.

Punishment to Mulraj and Maharaj Singh :

• Mulraj was exiled to Kala Pani on the charge of murder of Agnew and Andreson. On December 29, 1849 A.D. Maharaj Singh was also arrested. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Singapore.

Disbanding of the Khalsa Army :

• After the First Anglo-Sikh War, the number of Sikh army men was reduced. After the defeat of Sikhs in the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the khalsa army was disbanded. The Sikh army was disarmed. The dismissed Sikh soldiers were recruited in the British army.

Suppression of the Sikh Nobility :

• After the dissolution of the Punjab State, on the orders of Lord Dalhousie, the Chief Commissioner of Punjab John Lawrence took action to weaken the power of the prominent Sikhs. As a result, those Sikhs who were earlier rich landlords and those who held high positions in the Government became ordinary people.

Appointment of British Officers in Punjab :

• As a result of Second Anglo-Sikh War, the Britishers and the Europeans were appointed on high posts in the administration in place of the Hindus, the Sikhs or the Muslims. They were given high salaries and allowances.

Strengthening of North-West Frontier :

• After the annexation of Punjab, the Britishers constructed roads and cantonments to make North-West Frontier powerful. Important forts which held importance from military point of view were repaired. Many new forts were also constructed. Special military regiments were constituted to keep a check on the North-western tribes.

Re-organisation of Administration of Punjab :

• After the annexation of the Punjab, a board called Board of Administration was constituted. Henry Lawrence was appointed its chairman. The administrative structure was reorganized. Judicial system, Police administration and Revenue system were reconstituted. Roads and canals were built. Postal system was also organized.

Friendly relations of the British with the Native Aimee of Punjab :

• During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the rulers of Patiala, Jindh, Nabha ,Kapurthala, Faridkot, the Nawabs of Bahawalpur and Malerkotla helped the Britishers. The Britishers awarded some of the rulers of the Native states. They decided not to annexe the Native states in the British Empire.

Annexation of the Punjab by the British :

• After the First Anglo-Sikh War, Lord Hardinge deliberately did not annexe Punjab to the British Empire. In March 1846 A.D., with signing treaties of Lahore, Britishers snatched the fertile areas of Doab Bist, Jalandhar from the Lahore Kingdom. The Khalsa Army was reduced. A contingent of the British Army was stationed at Lahore.
• In December, 1846 A.D., Lord Hardinge signed the Treaty of Bhairowal with the Lahor Kingdom. According to this Treaty, Maharani Jindan was disassociated from administration. Since Maharaja Dalip Singh was a minor, a council of Regency consisting of eight members was constituted to run the State administration. A British Resident was appointed to look after the council. He was given many administrative rights. In the treaty, It was mentioned that it would remain In force till Maharaja Dalip Singh attained adulthood.
• In January, 1848 A.D., Lord Dalhousie became the Governor General of India in place of Lord Hardinge. He believed in the expansion of the British Empire in India. First of all, He decided to annexe Punjab to the British Empire. Revolts of Mulraj of Multan and Chattar Singh of Hazara and his son Sher Singh gave him an excuse to wage war against the Sikhs. Foreign secretary Henry Elliot was assigned the task of giving practical shape to the pre-determined policy after the defeat of the Sikhs in the Second Anglo-Sikh War. Elliot forced the members of Council of Regency to sign the treaty. According to this treaty, Maharaja Dalip Singh was dethroned. The entire property of Punjab was captured by the Britishers. The Kohinoor Diamond was sent to Queen Victoria of England. A pension between four to five lacs was fixed for Maharaja Dalip Singh. Henry Elliot read the declaration of Lord Dalhousie in Lahore Durbar the same day. Annexation of Punjab to the British Empire was held legitimate in the declaration.

By: Harman Sandhu