Mughals and Sikhs History - General Knowledge of Modern India
The tenth and last Guru Guru Gobind Singh had organized the Sikhs as a fighting group but they could not succeed in getting any kingdom till the reign of Aurangzeb. After his death, the Sikhs received a capable leader in the form of Banda Bahadur (1708 to 1716 AD). He organized a large number of Sikhs and captured Sirhind. He tried to establish an independent state and got coins issued in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh and issued orders with his seal. Under his leadership, the Sikhs bravely opposed the Mughals and plundered the entire area between Lahore and Delhi. During his struggle against the Mughals, he was taken prisoner in the fort of Gurdaspur. After that Banda Bahadur and his supporters were sent to Delhi where they were treated very inhumanly. Banda Bahadur's young son was murdered and he himself was also harassed in many ways and he was also killed. Banda Bahadur's supporters called him 'Sachha Padshah' (True Badshah).
The beliefs/principles of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh had taken deep roots in the hearts of the people. The Sikhs gradually organized themselves into a Sikh state. The state of disorder and suspicion that followed the invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali in the Punjab helped the Sikhs to emerge as a force. In 1764, the Sikhs assembled at Amritsar and minted coins of pure silver with the names 'Deg, Tegh and Fateh' for the first time. This was the first proclamation of Sikh-sovereignty in the state of Punjab. They organized themselves into twelve misls (military fraternities based on democratic structures) and established control over the Punjab region. The chiefs of these misls had divided the territories among themselves. Even Ahmed Shah Abdali could not succeed in destroying these misls and within two years of his return from India the governors appointed by him in Sirhind and Lahore were thrown out. Small estates like Nabha, Patiala and Kapurthala emerged. In the late 18th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh united the Misls and established a powerful state.
Name of Misal – Founder of Misal
- Singhpuria Misal - Nawab Kapoor Singh
- Ahluwalia Misal - Jassa Singh
- Ramgarhia Misal - Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
- Phulkian Misal – Phool Singh
- Kanhiva Misal – Jai Singh
- Bhagi Misal - Hari Singh
- Sukarchakia Misal – Charat Singh
- Nishanwalia Misal - Sardar Sangat Singh
- Karod Singhia Misal – Bhagel Singh
- Naki Misal - Hira Singh
- Shaheedi Misal - Baba Deep Singh
First Anglo-Sikh War
The British invaded Punjab and captured Lahore during the reign of Duleep Singh and the Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846. Due to non-payment of war damages, the Punjab Durbar was transferred to the Company. The company handed over Kashmir to Gulab Singh, who played a key role in the agreement.
Second Anglo-Sikh War
Despite the terms and conditions of the treaty, there was no improvement in the situation in Punjab which laid the basis for the Second Anglo-Sikh War. After the war, Punjab was annexed to the Company by Lord Dalhousie and Lawrence was made the first Commissioner of Punjab.
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Modern India