India’s history during the 18th and early 19th centuries witnessed the emergence of powerful regional states that challenged declining Mughal authority and resisted British expansion. Among these, the Sikh Empire in Punjab and the Mysore Kingdom in South India stand out for their military strength, administrative efficiency, and resistance to colonial rule. This article explores the rise, achievements, and eventual decline of these two significant powers.
🟡 Punjab: Sikh Empire
🔹 Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839)
- Born: 13 November 1780 (Sukerchakia Misl)
- Became ruler of Lahore in 1799 (with support of Zaman Shah)
- Captured:
- Amritsar (1802) → Religious capital
- Multan (1818)
- Kashmir (1819)
- Peshawar (1834)
🔹 Key Events
- Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
- Between Ranjit Singh & British
- British accepted his rule north of Sutlej
- Returned cannons of Zaman Shah → rewarded with control of Lahore
🔹 Important Facts
- Known for religious tolerance
- Famous quote: “God wants me to see all religions as one…”
- Received Kohinoor diamond from Shah Shuja
🔹 After Ranjit Singh
- Successor: Kharak Singh
- Internal conflicts:
- Dogra group vs Sandhawalia Sardars
🔹 End of Sikh Empire
- Last ruler: Duleep Singh (1843–1849)
- After Anglo-Sikh Wars, Punjab annexed in 1849
- Administration by:
- Henry Lawrence
- John Lawrence
- Charles Mansel
🔹 Battle
- Battle of Chillianwala (1849)
- British: Lord Gough
- Sikhs: Sher Singh
- Result: Indecisive
🟢 Mysore State
🔹 Hyder Ali
Wars:
- First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–69)
- Ended by Treaty of Madras
- Result: Hyder Ali victorious
- Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–84)
- Alliance: Nizam + Marathas
- Key Battles:
- Pollilur (1780) → British defeat
- Porto Novo (1781) → Hyder defeated by Eyre Coote
🔹 Tipu Sultan
- Capital: Srirangapatnam
- Established Jacobin Club (inspired by French Revolution)
- Planted Tree of Liberty
- Foreign relations with:
- Iran, Afghanistan, France, Ottoman Empire
Wars:
- Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–92)
- Ended by Treaty of Seringapatam
- Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
- Tipu Sultan died fighting
- Led by:
- Arthur Wellesley
🔹 After Tipu
- Mysore restored to Krishna Raja (Wodeyar dynasty)
- British took:
- Kanara, Coimbatore, Srirangapatnam
🟣 Additional Fact
🔹 Begum Samru
- Ruled Sardhana (near Meerut)
- Built famous church there
- Wife of Walter Reinhardt Sombre
- Served Mughal emperor Shah Alam II
✅ Quick Revision Tricks
- Punjab → Ranjit Singh → Expansion + Unity → Fall after 1839
- Mysore → Hyder Ali → Tipu Sultan → 4 Wars → 1799 end
- Remember dates:
- 1809 → Amritsar Treaty
- 1799 → Tipu dies
- 1849 → Punjab annexed
FAQs
1. The kingdom of Ranjit Singh included :– Multan , Kashmir and Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
2. To which Misl did Ranjeet Singh belong :– Sukerchakia
3. Capital of Kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was :– Lahore
4. At which place did Raja Ranjit Singh set up the Adalati-Ala :- Lahore
5. The Treaty of Amritsar was concluded between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and :- Lord Minto
6. Ranjeet Singh got famous Kohinoor diamond from :- Shah Shuja
7. Who has said, ‘God intended me to look upon all religions with one eye, that is why he took away the light from the other’ :- Maharaja Ranjit Singh
8. The successor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was :– Khadag Singh
9. Who was last King of Sikh empire :- Duleep Singh
10. Which statements is correct about Dalip Singh, the ex-Maharaja of Punjab:- He died in Paris on 23 October, 1893
11. Regarding Punjab Merger, which statement is correct ?
(a) On 29th March, 1849, the Governor General announced that the state of Punjab had come to an end.
(b) All the territories of Maharaja Daleep Singh became part of the Indian British Empire.
(c) Daleep Singh was given an annual pension of Rs. 4-5 lakhs.
Ans. All of the above
12. Who was a member of ‘Board of Three’ to administer the State of Punjab after its annexation :- Henry Lawrence as President; John Lawrence and Charles Grenville Mansel as members of the council.
13. Who emerged victorious in the first Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69) :- Haider Ali
14. Who established a modern armory in Dindigal Mysore in 1755 :- Haider Ali
15. Which British general defeated Haider Ali in War of Porto Novo :– Sir Eyer Coote
16. Tipu Sultan set up his capital at :– Srirangapatna
17. Which Indian rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines :- Tipu Sultan
18. Tipu Sultan defeated the British Army in 1780 at :– Pollilur
19. Englishmen made the Treaty of Srirangpatnam with :– Tipu Sultan
20. When did Tipu Sultan die at war with the British :- 1799
21. Which are correctly matched?
(a) First Anglo-Mysore – Hyder Ali was win War
(b) Second Anglo-Mysore – British defeated hyder ali
(c) Third Anglo-Mysore – British won the War battle
(d) Fourth Anglo-Mysore -Tipu was defeated and War was killed in the thick of battle
Ans. All of the above
22. Match List- I with List- II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :
List- I List- II
A. Treaty of Allahabad 1. 1765
B. Treaty of Manglore 2. 1784
C. Treaty of Salbai 3. 1782
D. Treaty of Madras 4. 1769
Ans. 1 2 3 4
23. Begum Samru constructed most eminent church at :– Sardhana
24. Which statements are correct?
(a) Murshid Kuli Khan introduced the system of revenue farming in Bengal
(b) Maharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore
(c) Sawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid’s ‘Elements of Geometry’ translated into Sanskrit
(d) Sultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of Goddess Sharda is the Shringeri temple.
Ans. All of the above
25. Consider the correct statements:
1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated Marathas
2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
3. Mir Jafar entered in conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-daulah in the
Battle of Plassey
Ans. All of the above