Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839)

was the founder and first ruler of the Sikh Empire in the northwest Indian subcontinent. He ruled from 1801 until his death in 1839.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) to Maha Singh, the leader of the Sukerchakia Misl, Ranjit Singh overcame smallpox in infancy, which left him blind in his left eye. He fought his first battle at the age of ten. After his father’s death, he inherited leadership of the misl and began his rise to power. Ranjit Singh emerged as a key figure resisting Afghan invasions, particularly those led by Zaman Shah of the Durrani Empire. Following the withdrawal of Afghan forces, he captured Lahore in 1799. At age 21, he was formally anointed Maharaja.

Unification of Punjab

Before his reign, Punjab was a fractured region consisting of warring Sikh misls, Muslim principalities, and Hindu states. Ranjit Singh united the Sikh misls and launched campaigns that annexed key regions such as Multan, Kashmir, and Peshawar, forming a vast and powerful empire. By 1813, much of the former Durrani-controlled Punjab was consolidated under his rule.

Administration and Diplomacy

Ranjit Singh was a secular leader who appointed Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, and Europeans to senior positions in his army and government. His reign brought modernization, reforms, and infrastructure improvements. His administration issued coins in the name of Guru Nanak and his rule was known as the “Sarkar Khalsa.” He maintained diplomatic ties with the British East India Company, signing treaties to avoid conflict.

Military Strength

Under his leadership, the Sikh Khalsa Army evolved into a formidable force, incorporating European officers and modern military techniques. The army reflected the empire’s diversity, with soldiers from various religious and ethnic backgrounds. Notable military engagements included battles at Amritsar (1798), Multan (1818), Kashmir (1819), and the final frontier battle at Jamrud (1837) that marked the western extent of his empire.

Cultural and Religious Contributions

A devout Sikh, Ranjit Singh funded the restoration and embellishment of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), gilding it in gold, and also supported other major religious sites like Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Takht Hazur Sahib. He promoted religious tolerance and respected the beliefs and practices of Hindus and Muslims. Though he sometimes repurposed mosques for military use, he was known for restoring religious buildings upon request.

Personal Life

Ranjit Singh married multiple times—formally and through customary practices such as chadar andazi. His two most prominent wives were Mehtab Kaur and Datar Kaur. He fathered several sons, with Kharak Singh, from Datar Kaur, succeeding him. There were disputes over the legitimacy of some of his sons, which later contributed to internal strife.

Governance and Economic Challenges

While his military and administrative reforms were forward-thinking, he retained the jagir (land revenue) system from the Mughal era, which allowed local tax collectors to exploit peasants. This weakened the empire’s economic foundation and contributed to its instability after his death.

Decline After Death

Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839 triggered a period of political turmoil marked by palace intrigues, assassinations, and power struggles. The weakened state eventually succumbed to British annexation following the Anglo-Sikh Wars. Despite the empire’s fall, Sikh identity and institutions endured.

Legacy

Ranjit Singh is revered as a unifier of the Sikh people and a visionary leader. He built a powerful, inclusive empire and left a deep cultural imprint, especially through his support for gurdwaras and the arts. He acquired the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which he intended to donate to the Jagannath Temple in Puri. His cremation in 1839 was marked by the self-immolation (sati) of several of his queens and concubines, an event reflective of the time’s rituals.

Final Resting Place

His samadhi (mausoleum) is located in Lahore, Pakistan, near the Badshahi Mosque. It remains a symbol of his legacy and the Sikh Empire he forged.