Emperor of the Five Rivers: The Life and Times of Maharajah Ranjit Singh

Description

Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and one of the greatest figures in the history of the Punjab. Despite the difficult conditions he faced, including harsh terrain, a mixed ethnic population and surrounding aggressors (particularly the British in India), Ranjit Singh managed to unite the various Sikh factions and built a nation that neighbours soon learnt to treat with respect. Following his death, the empire fell into gradual decline and in 1845, just six years after Ranjit Singh's death, the Sikhs were defeated in battle by the British and fell under the influence of the East India Company. It was Ranjit Singh's leadership skills and personal characteristics which kept the Sikh empire strong and united in the face of adversity. Unusually for the time, the empire that Singh led was secular and he sought to promote inter-faith unity through policies of equality and non-discrimination. This new biography sheds new light on this important figure in Sikh history. Mohamed Sheikh's accessible account of Ranjit Singh's life illustrates the extraordinary leadership qualities, military prowess and political skills which ensured his success as a leader in challenging circumstances. Dedication Contents List of Plates Maps Principal Characters Introduction 1. The Foundations 2. Ranjit’s Early Years and Entry into Power 3. Reaching Out Beyond Lahore 4. Enter the British 5. The Second Decade 6. At the Midpoint: The Flourishing State 7. Secularism and Tales of the Hero 8. The Third Decade 9. A Grand Summit of Equals and Ranjit’s Nobles 10. Afghan and British Provocation 11. Fateful Conclusion with the British 12. Vicious Aftermath Conclusion Postscript: Maharaja Duleep Singh Notes Bibliography Index Plates