Maharaja Ranjit Singh

[virk30]

was maharaja ranjit singht he strongest leader sikhs ahd

considering he was the only one able to conquere the pathans something the british couldn't do

[Parm Singh]

yes he was, he able to unite the sikhs to form one nation, called sarkar Khalsa. He was feared by the british, muslims and hindus, only when he died that the goverment start to crumble, during his time no one could defect him. Read the following link for more info or look in different sikh websites about him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singh

[Raju]

Why wasn't there a smooth succession after Ranjit Singh ? this needs to be studied further.

In fact there is a IFS diplomat by name of Navtej Sarna who has written a book on Ranjit Singh's son Dalip Singh and how he was conned by the British into believing that he was being groomed for takeover.

[AK47 JATHA LION]

Some say (and i've read) that it had to do with ranjit singhs son not being a good strategist and not being as good in the field of diplomacy and relations as his father. He also did not command the same respect as his father did from people.

I used to think this was the sole reason but then i read about the Dogra's repeated attempts to wrestle power because of their thirst for power.

After Ranjit singhs death, the Treacherous Dogras saw their chance to seize power. THis didnt happen straight away but they did alot to bring about the downfall of the sikh empire.

Even during ranjit singhs rule, there were betrayals taking place.

The great general hari singh nalwa was assisnated with help of a hired assasin and traitors.

The dogras and their army attacked ranjit singhs son when he succeeded as King aswell and held him prisoner within his own palace. They tried Poisoning him but he survived. After this they finished him off.

They worked with the British who were ready waiting for the right time to attack. They saw their chance when The sikh leadership appeared weak (through backstabbing and betrayals) so they acted. This resulted in the 3 Anglo sikh wars in which sikh territories were anexed. But even during the anglo sikh wars, the remaning sikh army put up fierce resistance against the odds even when they were severely outnumbered in each war. IT was still difficult for british to take power after the first anglo sikh war.

Theres alot of factors which led to the downfall of the sikh empire and it requires deep reading but i would say alot of it had to do with the Dogra betrayal and Greed for power.

[caveman]

This resulted in the 3 Anglo sikh wars in which sikh territories were anexed. But even during the anglo sikh wars, the remaning sikh army put up fierce resistance against the odds even when they were severely outnumbered in each war. IT was still difficult for british to take power after the first anglo sikh war.

just to let you know, there were only two wars, also I think in one or two battles singhs had more men or they had more artillery.

singhs put up a big fight, dogras screwed them over in the last battle in the 1st war, because the army could not retreat because the river was behind them, they could either be killed by british forces or drown trying to get to the other side of the river, while tej singh fled in his own boat.

[Parm Singh]

the dogras were the main reason the khalsa army lost the wars when they were about to win it, such as hiding the guns and ammo from the army, giving plans to the british and not letting the khalsa army attack the british when they had the upper hand by holding them back from attacking.

[caveman]

the dogras were the main reason the khalsa army lost the wars when they were about to win it, such as hiding the guns and ammo from the army, giving plans to the british and not letting the khalsa army attack the british when they had the upper hand by holding them back from attacking.

was told by a singh, thats the singhs needed ammunition for the guns, the dogras were taking ages to send the ammunition, they sent boxes to the singhs, they opened them and it was just gunpowder no shells. and also the dogras sent the army to places and told the british that they are sending the troops there and to kill them.

[guptveer1469]

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a good strategist and a just ruler..

Howhever without the help of able Singh generals like General Hari Singh Nalwa, Akali Baba Phoola Singh, he wouldn't be able to conquer the Pathans.

Pathans feared Hari Singh Nalwa to death.. When Pathan children cried at night and didn't sleep, their mothers said "Khamosh bash (quiet child), Haria raghle (Haria has come)!" to frighten the children and put them to sleep..

Dogras betrayed the army of the Sikh Kingdom. Instead of ammo they sent "reta and saron da tel" (sand and mustard oil)..

[virk30]

the collapse of the empire was a bunch of things, greed for power, infighting, no leadership, cause of the in fighting the kingdom begun to collapse and soldeirs were not getting their wages to feed their family's.

Alot of ppl believe maharaja ranjit singh's decendents are still alive, don't forget he had many wives and its believed he had many children in different parts of his empire, some of his decendents may be living in the nwfp and rest of present day pakistan and present day india

[Parm Singh]

the dogras were the main reason the khalsa army lost the wars when they were about to win it, such as hiding the guns and ammo from the army, giving plans to the british and not letting the khalsa army attack the british when they had the upper hand by holding them back from attacking.

was told by a singh, thats the singhs needed ammunition for the guns, the dogras were taking ages to send the ammunition, they sent boxes to the singhs, they opened them and it was just gunpowder no shells. and also the dogras sent the army to places and told the british that they are sending the troops there and to kill them.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a good strategist and a just ruler..

Howhever without the help of able Singh generals like General Hari Singh Nalwa, Akali Baba Phoola Singh, he wouldn't be able to conquer the Pathans.

Pathans feared Hari Singh Nalwa to death.. When Pathan children cried at night and didn't sleep, their mothers said "Khamosh bash (quiet child), Haria raghle (Haria has come)!" to frighten the children and put them to sleep..

Dogras betrayed the army of the Sikh Kingdom. Instead of ammo they sent "reta and saron da tel" (sand and mustard oil)..

True caveman, my father send that too. also the leaders or money maker asked Maharaja Ranjit Singh should they put his picture on the currency but he said no i want my gurus pictures instead, it showed his love for sikhi and his gyian.