Author Topic: The First Sikh War (Read 2280 times)

~PunjabiKudi~ · « **on:** October 11, 2007, 11:51:39 PM »

Proclaimation of December 1845- On December 8th a large detachment of Sikhs made their appearance on the right bank of the Sutlej. The British ordered prompt measures to be taken, and a proclaimation was issued on December 13th, 1845, declaring the Sikh army invaded the British territory, and the possessions of Maharaja Dulip Singh on the left bank of the Sutlej confiscated. Brigadier Wheeler led an army against the Sikhs.
Battles Between Sikhs and British- The first battle was fought at Mudki on December 18th, 1845, with the Sikh army led by Lal Singh. The British army eventually drove the Sikhs away, but at a great loss, with many of their men being slaughtered. The second battle happened at Ferozpur, and this time the British brought a much larger force, and the Sikh retreated across the Sutlej. However, never before had the British suffered such great losses since setting foot on the soil of India, which compelled them to re-group. On January 21st, 1846, a strong body of Sikhs under Ranjur Singh crossed the Sutlej and defeated the British forces at Baddowal. However, In the battle of Ahwal, the British defeated the Sikhs, and the Sikhs were ready to negotiate with the British.
Negotiations with the British- Gulab Singh, minister, opened negotiations with the British, who demanded the Sikh army disband from British territory. The British pushed across the Sutlej and occupied the fort of Kasur. It was certain that the Sikhs had to re-assemble, as they were not in the position to battle the invaders. At Kasur, Gulab Singh and other officers met with British officers and a treaty was signed with the British government. The treaty included recongnition of Dulip Singh as soverieng of Lahore, and payment of a crore-and-a-half of rupees to the British, as well as arrangement to limiting the extent of forces allowed. The treaty was ratified a few months later, and the British government met with Sikh chiefs to commend the policy of Ranjit Singh towards the British government as a model for their future imitation. Terms of the Treaty By- The terms of the treaty, the Maharaja renounced all claim to, or connection with, the territories south of the Sutlej. Instead of paying the crore-and-a-half, the Maharaja ceded the prvinces of Kashmir and Hazara to the British. Free passage was to be allowed to the British troops through Lahore territories, and no European or American was to be employed by the Lahore government. On March 15th, the British formally invested Gulab Singh with the title of Maharaja at Amritsar. On March 16th, a treat was concluded between Gulab Singh and the British conceding the hilly country east of the Indus and west of the Ravi. Thus was the independence of the Sikhs as a nation broken, the monarchy formed by the genious of Ranjit Singh reduced to insignificance.

Author Topic: The First Sikh War (Read 2280 times)

~PunjabiKudi~

The First Sikh War

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