Anglo-Sikh Wars in India: Causes, Major Battles and Outcomes
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 27, 2025
12
mins read
The Anglo-Sikh Wars were two pivotal mid-19th century conflicts between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company. These wars led to the fall of the once-powerful Sikh state and brought the Punjab under British control. Studying the Anglo-Sikh War for UPSC is crucial for understanding British expansion in India and the prelude to the 1857 Revolt.
A brief timeline of the Wars to Annexation of Punjab:
1839 (Ranjit Singh's death) → 1845-46 (First War) → 1846 (Three treaties) → 1848-49 (Second War) → 1849 (Annexation)
Historical Background of the Anglo-Sikh Wars
Rise of the Sikh Empire
The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh marked the ascendancy of the Sikh Empire into a formidable regional power. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore in 1799 and annexed all remaining Sikh misls by 1813.
Ranjit Singh drove the Afghan army out of the Punjab and Sikh rule was extended into Kashmir and the surrounding territories. Ranjit Singh modernized the Khalsa army with European-style training, making Punjab a significant buffer state against the militarily competing Afghans and Russians.
Decline after Ranjit Singh’s Death
After the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839, the polity of Punjab collapsed. The state disintegration was the direct consequence of a succession of weak rulers coupled with court intrigues.
The disintegration of the Punjabi polity was compounded by the unsustained aggressive positioning of the then British East India Company, who, in the Punjab, consolidated power over a significantly militarily and politically important region of India. The combination of British expansion and internal decay set the scene for conflict.
British Expansionist Policy
Among the Europeans to arrive in India, the British were the most prominent from the 1840s onwards. During this time, the British began the process of securing the northwestern frontier, establishing a military base at Ferozepur, and implementing a ‘forward policy’ in attempting to neutralize any competitors.
The British implemented a systematic strategy of encirclement. This encirclement policy created a ring of British-controlled territories and military installations around Punjab. The British also attempted to establish indirect control through diplomatic pressure, seeking to position themselves as power brokers in the region's political affairs.
The combination of British military buildup on the borders, the annexation of neighboring territories, and growing interference in Punjab's internal affairs created mounting tensions. As a result, the British ventured into the signing of subsidiary alliances and treaties which ultimately resulted in the loss of Sikh sovereignty and the commencement of conflict.
First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–46)
Causes of the First Anglo-Sikh War
Political Instability: After Ranjit Singh’s death the political order began to decay, and the succession of the power he held fractured the order of Singh’s Durbar all the way to the capital Anarchy in the capital Lahore. The Maharani regents and the other heads of the Sikh Durbar, all seeking the support of the British, and willing to sacrifice Sikh independence, laid the groundwork for the British occupation.
British Provocations: The British deployed forces to the Sutlej and even incited the Nawab of Bahawalpur and other clients of the East India Company to desert their alliances with the Sikhs. They made strategic alliances with other clients, and built their forces, all in the view of the Sikhs.
Military Tensions: The officers of the Khalsa, hungry for advancement, and the payment of a salary, persuaded the Lahore Darbar to make the first move. Unsanctioned orders and the diplomacy of Sikh generals, Lal Singh and Tej Singh, crossing the Sutlej in 1845, ended all illusions of diplomacy.
Major Battles and Outcomes
The First Anglo-Sikh War featured several key battles in 1845–46:
Battle of Mudki (18 Dec 1845): A dawn battle where the British won an indecisive victory though they suffered heavy casualties.
Battle of Ferozeshah (21–22 Dec 1845): Fierce fighting around entrenched Sikh positions. The British narrowly prevailed after two days, because of exhaustion and Sikh command failures. (In particular, Sikh commander Tej Singh withdrew unexpectedly, contributing to the Sikh defeat.)
Battle of Aliwal (28 Jan 1846): A decisive British victory that broke the main Sikh army. General Sir Harry Smith’s outflanking attack routed the Sikhs, forcing them into retreat.
Battle of Sobraon (10 Feb 1846): The final and largest battle of the war. British forces successfully assaulted Sikh defensive works on the Sutlej’s east bank, causing a collapse of Sikh resistance. Victory here marked the end of major combat.
First Anglo-Sikh War Treaties
Treaty of Lahore (9 March 1846)
The ending of the First Anglo-Sikh War was concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Lahore, with Lord Hardinge (Governor-General) signing on the British side. This treaty marked the beginning of the decline of the Sikh Empire, as it put Punjab under heavy British control.
The Sikhs were forced to cede all territories to the south of the River Sutlej, including the Jullundur Doab (the land between the Sutlej and Beas rivers).
The Sikhs were also forced to pay a heavy war indemnity of ₹1.5 crore and since the amount was beyond their means, they also had to cede more territories, including parts of Kashmir and Hazara.
Maharaja Duleep Singh had just turned 5 and was declared the ruler of Punjab, with Rani Jindan Kaur as Regent, and Ram Singh as the Wazir (Prime Minister).
A British Resident, Sir Henry Lawrence, was placed in Lahore, and with the appointment, Punjab was brought under the indirect control of the British.
Treaty of Amritsar (16 March 1846)
With the Treaty of Amritsar, the supplementary treaty, the territories of Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh were formally transferred to Gulab Singh, Raja of Jammu.
In exchange, Gulab Singh promised to pay the East India Company 75 lakhs (7.5 million Nanakshahi rupees).
The Treaty of Bhairowal established Gulab Singh as the independent ruler of the Dogra princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Treaty of Bhairowal (16 December 1846)
The dissatisfaction of the Sikhs towards British influence and the sale of Kashmir intensified, prompting the signing of yet another treaty later that year.
The Treaty of Bhairowal also led to the removal of Rani Jindan Kaur from the regency on the grounds of misadministration.
A regency of eight Sikh nobles installed as members of the Council of Regency was allowed to govern but all orders and decisions had to be approved by the British Resident, Henry Lawrence, and all responsibilities of the British Council.
A British garrison was to be permanently stationed in Lahore, the costs of which (approximately ₹22 lakhs annually) were to be reimbursed by the Sikh state, thereby turning the British indemnity.
The treaty effectively conferred the status of British protectorate over Punjab, all powers of the Lahore Durbar were marginalised.
Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–49)
Causes and Triggers of Second Anglo-Sikh War
The Second Anglo-Sikh War broke out in April 1848. Its immediate trigger was the Multan Revolt: Diwan Mulraj, the Sikh governor of Multan, rebelled against British interference and the imposition of a new Sikh viceroy under British supervision. The killing of two British officers in Multan’s streets inflamed tensions. More broadly, Punjabis were angry over the post-war treaties, heavy taxes to fund British troops, and the marginalization of Duleep Singh. Uprisings in Multan and other districts signaled that Sikhs no longer accepted British dominance.
Key Battles of Second Anglo-Sikh War
Battle of Ramnagar (22 Nov 1848):
The initial engagement on the Chenab River. The cavalry commanded by Sher Singh remained steadfast and dismissed a British cavalry assault.
The encounter was of indeterminate outcome; nonetheless, it escalated the enthusiasm of the Sikhs.
Battle of Chillianwala (13 Jan 1849):
It constitutes one of the most gruesome and horrifying episodes of the 19th century. Sher Singh’s strong, strategic positions, and western oriented, north facing lines were the target of Gough’s offensive operations, which were subsequently unsuccessful.
The Sikhs retained possession of the field, but there were insufficient efforts in executing the follow-through. The inconclusive nature of the offensive operations fostered uncertainty within the British command.
Battle of Gujrat (21 Feb 1849):
The decisive engagement of the war as British commander Gough’s forces demonstrated superior strategic command and completely routed Sher Singh’s forces on the plains of Gujrat.
British cavalry, which was supported by artillery, fragmented the Sikh lines and permitted a rout. Sher Singh escaped and the remainder of the Sikh forces were utterly decimated. The rout permitted the British to impose unconditional surrender.
Outcomes of Second Anglo-Sikh War
Annexation of Punjab: In March 1849, Governor-General Lord Dalhousie formally annexed Punjab into British India, marking the end of the independent Sikh Empire. This brought the entire northwestern frontier under British control.
Deposition of Maharaja Duleep Singh: The young ruler, Maharaja Duleep Singh, was deposed, separated from his mother Rani Jindan, and later taken to England. The famous Koh-i-Noor diamond was also seized and presented to Queen Victoria.
British Administrative Setup: Punjab was placed under a new administrative system headed by the Board of Administration, led by Sir Henry Lawrence. This marked the beginning of organized British governance in the region.
Disbanding of the Sikh Army: The once-powerful Khalsa army was dissolved. Many former soldiers were later recruited into the British Indian Army—recognised for their discipline and bravery—which gave rise to the “martial race” identity.
Strategic Consolidation of British Rule: The victory gave the British a strong military and political hold over northwestern India, completing their territorial control from Bengal to the Afghan frontier. Punjab soon became the empire’s key supplier of troops and resources.
Comparison between the 1st and 2nd Anglo-Sikh Wars
Causes: The 1st Anglo-Sikh War (1845–46) was a product of suspicion between the British and the Sikhs as well as the politics of the Sikh court. The 2nd Anglo-Sikh War (1848–49) was a consequence of popular uprisings and protests against British power in the region (Multan).
Nature of Battles: The First Anglo-Sikh War consisted of Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon’s open field battles which followed British disciplined tactics. The Sikh’s in the 2nd war: Multan’s siege, Chillianwala’s jungle chaos, and the final open battle at Gujrat made the most of the unfettered and Sikh was more disciplined.
Leadership: During the 1st war, Sikh generals (Lal Singh, Tej Singh) were decisive liars. During the 2nd war, Sikh forces battled under Sher Singh’s command and cohesion which presented different circumstances, yet British resources were still overshadowed.
Outcomes: The 1st war was a gain for the British since the Sikhs were made to relinquish some of their autonomy. The Sikh monarchy still existed in name (young Duleep Singh). The 2nd war was a loss for the Sikhs since it resulted in the British annexation of the Punjab and the Lahore state ceased to exist as an independent entity.
Impact and Aftermath of the Anglo-Sikh Wars
The Anglo-Sikh Wars were more than just a clash of armies—they changed the future of Punjab and had ripple effects across the Indian subcontinent.
End of Sikh Sovereignty: End of Sikh self-governance in North India was marked by the dissolution of the authority Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the annexation of Punjab, and the implementation of direct British rule in 1849.
Transformation of Punjab’s Administration: Punjab’s new British Administrators introduced revolutionary changes to the governance of the province. The Sikh elites and traditional leaders lost much of their administrative power and new systems of land, taxation, laws, and governance were instituted. This brought about deep and lasting social disorder and the reordering of administrative structures in the region.
Rise in Sikh Martial Reputation: With the British colonial army, the Sikhs became recognized for their military prowess and discipline, guaranteeing the Sikhs a continued presence in the British Indian Army during and after independence.
Cultural and Social Changes:The British educational system was introduced by the colonial government antagonizing the Sikh aristocracy, and land-owning families, who were primarily in the rural areas. The New system of taxes, laws, and changes to land ownership further deepened their hardship..
Long-Term Effects on Indian Nationalism: As Sikh nationalists lost their independence and suffered injustices under British rule, their sense of Sikh identity became strengthened along with their defiance preparations. Such Sikh injustices inspired Sikh nationalists and their descendants for generations, galvanizing Punjabi nationalism during India's struggle for independence.
The final consolidation of British dominion in North India and the end of independent Sikh rule occurred with the Anglo-Sikh Wars. After besting the Khalsa armies and placing Punjab under inequitable treaties, the British secured a prominent buffer state. These confrontations illustrate how weak leadership in conjunction with foreign meddling, the collapse of a considerable polity, and the powerful lessons contained, will remain a poignant reminder.
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