THE FIRST ANGLO-SIKH WAR

There is a rich historical background that precedes any war. In this context of the first Anglo-Sikh war, it does not disappoint. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Sikh kingdom lay in the region of present-day North India along with Eastern Pakistan. This massive territory was led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was a ruler savvy in politics.

However, fate played him a cruel hand and he died in 1839, leaving Punjab in a state of havoc. This was 6 years before the First Anglo-Sikh war, which was to be followed by another.

THE BASIC GIST

Different parts of India being ruled by various rulers, a number of hostility and revenges waiting to be avenged, the Sikh region had a lot going on. The ruler of the region Maharaja Ranjit Singh, built his kingdom well and encompassed large areas. In the meantime, the British too had conquered a significant portion of India and now stood opposite Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Ranjit Singh however, knew how to play the game of war well. He maintained good but tense relations between the British, with the knowledge that if things go south, he would be prepared.

PATHS CROSS

With the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1939, the Sikh administration collapsed. There was a serious lack of leadership and the short-terms of administration due to a number of assassinations did not say great leadership either. These eventually led to a number of hasty decisions, concluding with the throning of an infant named Duleep Singh as the ruler of the Sikh region. The British were well updated with the happenings and instability and had begun the preparation to improvise for an inevitable opening. The region was vital for the British as it remained as the last stronghold that was an obstacle between its grip over the entire country.

The British were prepared for the First Anglo-Sikh war.

THE TROOPS AND THE POLITICS

The Khalsas, which translated to “the pure” , could be the toughest challenge the British could have faced in India. The Sikh army consisted of a very well organized artillery and even had  similar uniforms as the British army (Red coats).They however lacked substantially in discipline.  There was however an undeniable motivation that the Sikhs got following the British defeat in the Anglo-Afghan war. The Khalsa too awaited the first Anglo-Sikh war.

THE FIRST ANGLO SIKH WAR 1845-46 BEGINS

The strategy of provocation for the Khalsa worked and they marched into British territory, crossing the Sutlej on the 11th of December, 1845 in an attempted ambush. Two key commanders Lal Singh and Tej Singh, were loyal to the British. Tej led the army into Ferozepur cantonment, but stayed unresponsive, while Lal led the Khalsas straight into Mudki for an ambush. Awaiting the Khalsas, were 12000 men on horseback, along with 22 Guns (cannons). The British army was led by experienced General Hugh Gough and strategically planned and executed the goal. Lal Singh on the other hand made a clear yet very strategically flawed move and caused a heavy toll on the Sikh troops. Lal Singh escaped but was not done.

THE SHOWDOWNS AT FEROZESHAH, ALIWAL AND SOBRAON

What followed was what left the British troops stunned. Awaiting them were 40,00 Khalsas at Ferozeshah. On the advice of Hardinge , the British decided to hold off on the attack and wait for backup. Gough attacked the Sikh force the following day  with reinforcements. They managed to break the Khalsa defense, but it proved expensive to the British army. On the arrival of Tej Singh at the scene with reinforcements, the British thought it was all over. However, astonishingly, the Sikhs withdrew, giving Hardinge his lucky escape. More such faceoffs occurred in Sobraon and Aliwal as well, with constant reinforcements on either side. The Sikhs however were cornered in Sobraon. Following a tough fight, the British emerged victorious and captured Lahore, the Sikh capital. With this came the end of the First Anglo-Sikh war 1845-46.

THE TREATY

The victory of the British in the First Anglo-Sikh war led to the signing of the Lahore treaty. As per this, a number of large pieces of land went to the British, including Jammu and Kashmir being under British administration. Lal Singh, unsurprisingly was appointed Wazir of Lahore, but was eventually exiled by the British themselves for corruption.

CONCLUSION

There are a number of takeaways from the proceedings of the first Anglo-Sikh war, like poor coordination between Sikh soldiers, lack of honest leadership on the Sikh front and hidden grudges and vendettas. On the other hand, the British with excellent leadership, punctual reinforcements and other statistical savviness, emerged victorious. Therefore the first Anglo-Sikh war of 1845-46 went to the British.