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Sikh Kingdom

Mughal Decline: By the early 1700s, the Mughal Empire was weakening, and Punjab was suffering from invasions (especially from Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali/Durrani) and internal instability.
Rise of Misls: The Sikh community, following the teachings of Guru Nanak and the ten Sikh Gurus, transformed into a military force under Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh. After Banda Singh Bahadur’s early struggles (1710–1716), Sikh warriors organized themselves into 12 Misls (confederacies), each controlling different territories.
These Misls practiced a confederal system — loosely united but acting independently, often coming together in the Sarbat Khalsa at Amritsar to decide major issues.

Birth: Ranjit Singh was born in 1780 into the Sukerchakia Misl.
Rise to Power: He became chief of the Sukerchakia Misl at just 12 years old after his father’s death.
Unification: Through diplomacy, marriage alliances, and military campaigns, Ranjit Singh united most of the Sikh Misls by 1801.
Proclamation as Maharaja: In 1801, he was crowned Maharaja of Punjab at Lahore, marking the formal beginning of the Sikh Empire.
Expansion of the Sikh Empire
- Territorial Extent:
  - West to Peshawar (in modern-day Pakistan)
  - North to Kashmir and Ladakh
  - South to Multan
  - East to the banks of the Sutlej (British-controlled territory beyond that)
- Military Strength:
  - Modernized army with European officers (e.g., Jean-Baptiste Ventura, Paolo Avitabile).
  - Introduced modern artillery, disciplined infantry, and organized cavalry.
- Religious Policy:
  - Although a devout Sikh, Ranjit Singh promoted religious tolerance, employing Hindus, Muslims, and Europeans in his court and army.
  - Prohibited cow slaughter in Punjab to respect Hindu sentiments.

Lahore became a major center of art, culture, and trade.
Ranjit Singh restored the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) with marble and gold plating.
The empire was strong enough to keep both the Afghans and the British at bay.
Decline After Ranjit Singh’s Death

1839: Ranjit Singh died, leading to political instability.
Rapid succession of rulers:
- Kharak Singh (1839–1840)
- Nau Nihal Singh (1840)
- Sher Singh (1841–1843)
- Duleep Singh (1843–1849, as a child ruler with his mother Maharani Jind Kaur as regent)
Infighting among nobles and court intrigues weakened the empire.

Anglo-Sikh Wars and Fall of the Kingdom

First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846): British East India Company defeated the Sikhs due to internal betrayal and disunity.
Treaty of Lahore (1846): Loss of territory and British political interference increased.
Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849): Complete defeat of Sikh forces.
1849: Punjab was annexed into the British Empire; young Maharaja Duleep Singh was taken to Britain.