Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his non sikh subjects

Abstract

While tracing the contribution of non-Sikhs in Ranjit Singh s empire building process, the present study attempts to assess the role of non- Sikh in civil and military administration of Ranjit Singh and also took notice of the religious charities and the quantum of these charities given by Ranjit Singh to non-Sikh individuals and institutions. The aim of this work is deep analysis of the associations between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his non-Sikh subjects. The present study traces the origin and growth of Ranjit Singh s empire in connection with non-Sikhs, who were associated with different aspects of administrations. The discussion has also made on the non-Sikh chiefs, who were cotemporary of Ranjit Singh and cover major area of Punjab.The process and strategy followed by Ranjit Singh for the subjugation of non-Sikh chiefs, treatment given to them after their submission has been deeply discussed in this work.The study focuses its attention on contribution of non- Sikhs, both in civil and military administration of Ranjit Singh.The non- Sikhs, who employed in higher or lower level of civil administration, have been carefully assessed in this work. Apart from civil management, emphasized also put on the contribution of non-Sikhs in the military administration of Ranjit Singh because, the non-Sikh officials in military organization belonged to diverse communities such as Brahmin, Khattris, Punjabi Muslims, Hindustani Hindu and Muslims known as poorbias, Gurkhas, Afghans of frontier areas and#64830;Trans-Indus districtsand#64831; and Europeans of different nationalities. The military growth of Ranjit Singh s state with the participation of non-Sikh officials has been divided into five phases till the death of Ranjit Singh.The comparison had been made between the Sikh and non-Sikh in different units of civil and military administration of Ranjit Singh.