In recent news, the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, installed in 2019, was vandalized by the Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a radical outfit in Pakistan’s Punjab province, at the Lahore Fort.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Early Life
Born on the 13th of November 1780, in the current Pakistani town of Gujranwala, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the sole child of Maha Singh. Upon his father’s passing in 1792, Ranjit Singh ascended to the rank of chief of the Shukerchakias, a Sikh group. His inheritance included the town of Gujranwala and surrounding territories.
Founding The Sikh Empire
Maharaja Ranjit Singh is recognized as the founder of the Sikh Empire which he established by deposing the Misls. During the 18th century, Punjab was governed by influential chieftains who had divided the region into Misls, independent states that emerged in the Punjab region, north of Indian subcontinent following the decay of the Mughal Empire. Ranjit Singh ruled northwest Indian subcontinent during the early half of the 19th century, earning the nickname ‘Lion of Punjab’ for liberating Lahore from Afghan invaders.
Modernizing The Army
Ranjit Singh revolutionized Asia’s military by integrating traditional Khalsa army methods with Western warfare advances. A blend of European officers, particularly French, were hired to train his troops. He appointed a French General to oversee the modernization of his army.
Ranjit Singh’s Wide-Ranging Empire
The trans-regional empire of Ranjit Singh spanned across several states, comprising former Mughal provinces like Lahore and Multan, part of Kabul and the entirety of Peshawar. The territorial extent of his empire stretched from Ladakh in the northeast to Khyber pass in the northwest, and reached south to Panjnad, where Punjab’s five rivers merge into the Indus.
The Maharaja’s Legacy
Maharaja Ranjit Singh is revered for his equitable and secular rule. His court included both Hindus and Muslims in influential posts. He supported the renovation of the Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar into the Golden Temple by coating it with gold. Ranjit Singh also bankrolled the Hazoor Sahib gurudwara at Guru Gobind Singh’s final resting place in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Maharaja’s Demise
Ranjit Singh passed away in Lahore in June 1839, marking exactly 40 years since his conquering entry into the city. Just over six years post his death, the Sikh state he had created disintegrated due to rival chiefs’ internal strife.
International Recognition
In 2016, a bronze statue of the Maharaja was unveiled in the town of St Tropez, France as a gesture of respect. His throne holds a prominent position in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. In 2018, an exhibition on the history of the Sikh Empire and Maharaja’s international relationships was hosted in London.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024