The First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War
The First Anglo-Sikh War was the first major conflict fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company. It paved the way for British control over the Punjab region Subsequently, as a result of the Second Anglo-Sikh War Punjab came fully under British rule and the Sikh Empire came to an end
Background of the War
After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, political instability emerged in Punjab. The empire’s young ruler, Duleep Singh, was effectively a puppet monarch, while real power rested with court ministers Hira Singh Dogra, Lal Singh Dogra, and Jawahar Singh Aulakh
At the same time, Maharani Jind Kaur was also actively involved in administrative affairs
Under these conditions, Punjab became plagued by unrest, internal conspiracies, and weak governance. On the other hand, the British government outwardly maintained a policy of peace and restraint.
The Treaty of 1809 and Border Tensions
Under the treaty signed in 1809 between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British East India Company, the eastern boundary of the Sikh Empire was recognized as the Sutlej River
The Governor-General of India, Lord Henry Hardinge and the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough, remained convinced until 14 December 1845 that Sikh forces would not cross the Sutlej
Outbreak of the War
On 8 December 1845, Sikh forces appeared on the right bank of the Sutlej River, and their numbers increased over the following days
The Sikh artillery took up positions along the riverbank, while cavalry units crossed the river and occupied the plains opposite Ferozepur
At that time, the British post at Ferozepur had 10,000 troops and 31 guns under the command of Sir John
Littler
The leteran treaty
Movement of British Forces
On 11 December 1845, Sikh forces crossed the Sutlej. In response
the Ludhiana force (5,000 men, 12 guns), and
the Ambala force (7,500 men, 36 guns)
advanced under Brigadier Wheeler and reached Bassi, where supplies had already been stockpiled
Strategy of Lal Singh Dogra
Lal Singh Dogra took up a defensive entrenchment near Ferozepur, while a large force of his (50,000 men and 108 guns) advanced toward Mudki
Upon learning that the British army was smaller in number, he pushed forward rapidly, covering a distance of 150 miles in just six days without adequate rest or provisions
British Government Proclamation
On 13 December 1845, the British government issued an official proclamation stating that
Britain had always maintained friendly relations with the Sikh Empire
the 1809 treaty had been fully honored, and
Sikh forces had launched an unprovoked attack on British territories
On this basis, the territories of Maharaja Duleep Singh located on the left bank of the Sutlej were annexed into British dominions
The war ultimately ended in victory for the British East India Company, and through a treaty signed on 9 March 1846, British influence in Punjab was firmly established. This conflict later led to the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the complete downfall of the Sikh Empire
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