Sikhism is generally associated with the noble ideologies of compassion, love and generosity. The Sikh Community is always in the forefront when it comes to helping people and offering food during natural calamities, wars and other such unfortunate events all around the world. Today, let’s find out more about Sikh history and how this religion started flourishing.
Overview:
The Sikh empire was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in present-day Punjab. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore by defeating the Afghan king, Zaman Shah Durrani in 1799 which is considered as one of the turning points of Sikh empire history. At one point in time in the 19th century, it covered a large territory between Khyber Pass, Western Tibet, Mithankot and Kashmir. The secular empire welcomed and supported people belonging to different ethnicities and religions. The independent empire existed until 1849, after which it became one of the biggest territories to be annexed by the British.
Foundation:
After Aurangzeb’s death in the year 1707, the Mughal Empire started weakening. It was during this period that the Sikh Army or Dal Khalsa was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and final Sikh Guru. This was the most important institution in the history of Sikh. The Army defeated several Afghan rulers and also won battles against the Mughals. The army was later split into independent confederacies who took over different regions. From 1762 to 1799, there was an internal power struggle within the Sikh Empire between these confederacies.
It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who captured Lahore and defeated the Afghans once again in different encounters. He also unified the Sikh misls to become the Maharaja of Punjab on 12th April 1801. Ranjit Singh, also known as Sher-e-Punjab or “Lion of Punjab”, was the greatest ruler in Sikh Empire history, who strengthened his army with the help of improved training, weapons and artillery. He rebuilt Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras like Takht Sri Patna Sahib in present-day Bihar and Hazur Sahib in Nanded. He was also responsible for introducing many cultural and infrastructural reforms.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died on 27th June 1839 in Lahore, after which, the downfall of the Sikh Empire began due to internal conflicts. They were finally defeated by the British East India Company and the state was dissolved in 1849.
Overview:
The Sikh empire was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in present-day Punjab. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore by defeating the Afghan king, Zaman Shah Durrani in 1799 which is considered as one of the turning points of Sikh empire history. At one point in time in the 19th century, it covered a large territory between Khyber Pass, Western Tibet, Mithankot and Kashmir. The secular empire welcomed and supported people belonging to different ethnicities and religions. The independent empire existed until 1849, after which it became one of the biggest territories to be annexed by the British.
After Aurangzeb’s death in the year 1707, the Mughal Empire started weakening. It was during this period that the Sikh Army or Dal Khalsa was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and final Sikh Guru. This was the most important institution in the history of Sikh. The Army defeated several Afghan rulers and also won battles against the Mughals. The army was later split into independent confederacies who took over different regions. From 1762 to 1799, there was an internal power struggle within the Sikh Empire between these confederacies.
It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who captured Lahore and defeated the Afghans once again in different encounters. He also unified the Sikh misls to become the Maharaja of Punjab on 12th April 1801. Ranjit Singh, also known as Sher-e-Punjab or “Lion of Punjab”, was the greatest ruler in Sikh Empire history, who strengthened his army with the help of improved training, weapons and artillery. He rebuilt Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras like Takht Sri Patna Sahib in present-day Bihar and Hazur Sahib in Nanded. He was also responsible for introducing many cultural and infrastructural reforms.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died on 27th June 1839 in Lahore, after which, the downfall of the Sikh Empire began due to internal conflicts. They were finally defeated by the British East India Company and the state was dissolved in 1849.
