This chapter connects to the Anglo-Sikh Wars: one is the rise of the Sikh state, the other is its fall. I study them together, one after the other, so that the dates form one long timeline in my head instead of two separate lists.
What this topic covers
The Misl period (18th century)
- After Banda Singh Bahadur's execution (1716), the Sikhs fought in small bands called jathas.
- Dal Khalsa was formed in 1748 at Amritsar under Nawab Kapur Singh, with Jassa Singh Ahluwalia as commander. The jathas were grouped into twelve Misls.
- Sarbat Khalsa: the general assembly of the Sikhs, held at Amritsar, usually on Baisakhi and Diwali. Its decisions were called Gurmata.
- Rakhi system: villages paid a Misl for protection, about one-fifth of their produce, twice a year.
The twelve Misls
| Misl | Remember it by |
|---|---|
| Sukerchakia | Charat Singh, Mahan Singh, Ranjit Singh |
| Ahluwalia | Jassa Singh Ahluwalia; later Kapurthala state |
| Ramgarhia | Jassa Singh Ramgarhia |
| Bhangi | Held Lahore and Amritsar before Ranjit Singh |
| Kanhaiya | Jai Singh; Sada Kaur, Ranjit Singh's mother-in-law |
| Phulkian | Patiala, Nabha, Jind; Baba Ala Singh founded Patiala |
| Nakai | Ranjit Singh's wife Datar Kaur came from this Misl |
| Dallewalia | Tara Singh Gheba |
| Faizullapuria (Singhpuria) | Nawab Kapur Singh |
| Karorsinghia | Karora Singh |
| Shaheedan | Baba Deep Singh |
| Nishanwalia | Carried the Dal Khalsa's flag (nishan) |
The Phulkian Misl stayed outside the Dal Khalsa's core in the Malwa region, and its states later sought British protection.
Two Ghallugharas (holocausts)
- Chhota Ghallughara, 1746: under Lakhpat Rai, diwan of Lahore.
- Vadda Ghallughara, 1762: at Kup (near Malerkotla), by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839)
- Born: 13 November 1780, Gujranwala (now Pakistan). He lost the sight of one eye to smallpox as a child.
- Lahore: captured on 7 July 1799.
- Maharaja: proclaimed on Baisakhi, 12 April 1801.
- Amritsar: taken from the Bhangis in 1805.
- Treaty of Amritsar, 1809: with the British (Charles Metcalfe); the Sutlej became the boundary.
- Koh-i-Noor: obtained from Shah Shuja in 1813.
- Multan 1818, Kashmir 1819, Peshawar 1834.
- Tripartite Treaty, 1838: Ranjit Singh, the British and Shah Shuja.
- Died: 27 June 1839 at Lahore.
Army and court
- Fauj-i-Khas: the model brigade trained by European officers Ventura and Allard; also Court and Avitabile.
- Hari Singh Nalwa: his greatest general; governor of Kashmir and Peshawar; died at Jamrud in 1837.
- Fakir Azizuddin: foreign minister and adviser.
- Dhian Singh Dogra: prime minister (wazir).
- He covered the Harmandir Sahib's upper floors with gilded copper, which gave it the name Golden Temple.
- His title: Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of Punjab). His coins were called Nanakshahi.
How it is asked in the exam
- "Ranjit Singh belonged to which Misl?" (Sukerchakia.)
- "Who founded the Dal Khalsa?" (Nawab Kapur Singh, 1748.)
- "Patiala state was founded by?" (Baba Ala Singh, Phulkian Misl.)
- "Which European generals trained the Fauj-i-Khas?" (Ventura and Allard.)
- "Hari Singh Nalwa died in which battle?" (Jamrud, 1837.)
- "Lahore was captured in?" (1799.)
Points to remember
- 1799 Lahore, 1801 Maharaja, 1809 Treaty, 1839 death. Write these four dates on your wall.
- The Bhangi Misl held both Lahore and Amritsar; Ranjit Singh took both from it.
- Vadda Ghallughara (1762) was by Abdali, not by a Mughal governor.
Common mistakes
- Giving 1801 as the year Lahore was captured. Lahore was 1799; the title was 1801.
- Making Jassa Singh Ramgarhia the Dal Khalsa commander. It was Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.
- Confusing the 1809 Treaty of Amritsar (Ranjit Singh) with the 1846 one (Kashmir to Gulab Singh).
Practise straight after reading
Combine this page with the Anglo-Sikh Wars guide and write one timeline from 1716 to 1849. Revise it tomorrow, after 7 days and after 30 days, then attempt the Punjab history quizzes on this site.