First Anglo - Sikh War ( 1845

Causes

The outbreak of the first of the Anglo-Sikh wars has been attributed to the action of the Sikh army crossing the River Sutlej on December 11, 1845. This was seen as an aggressive manoeuvre that provided the English with the justification to declare war. The causes were however, much more complex and may be listed as follows:

1. The anarchy in the Lahore kingdom following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh resulting in a power struggle for domination between the court at Lahore and the even-powerful and increasingly local army;

2. Suspicious amongst the Sikh army arising from English military campaigns to achieve the annexation of Gwalior and Sindh in 1841 and the campaign in Afghanistan in 1842.

3. The increase in the number of English troops being stationed near the border with the Lahore kingdom.

Course of War

The war began in December 1845, with 20,000 to 30,000 troops in the British side, while the Sikhs had about 50,000 men under the overall commander of Lal Singh. But the treachey of Lal Singh and Teja Singh caused five successive defeats to the Sikhs at Mudki, Buddelwal, Aliwal and at Sobraon. Lahore fell to the British forces on February 20, 1846 without a fight.

Treaty of Lahore

The end of the first Anglo-Sikh War forced the Sikhs to sign a humiliating treaty on March 8, 1846. The main features of the Treaty of Lahore were as follows:

1. War indemnity of more than 1 crore rupees was to be given to the English.

2. The Jalandhar Doab (Between the Beas and the Sutlej) was annexed to the Company's dominions.

3. A British resident was to be established at Lahore under Henry Lawrence.

4. The strength of the Sikh army was reduced.

5. Daleep Singh was recognized as the ruler under Rani Jindan as regent and Lal Singh as wazir.

6. Since the Sikhs were not able to pay the entire war indemnity, Kashmir, including Jammu, was sold to Gulab Singh and he was required to pay 75 lakh rupees to the Company as the price. The transfer of Kashmir to Gulab Singh was formalised by a separate treaty on March 16, 1846.

Treaty of Bhairowal

The Sikhs were not satisfied with the Treaty of Lahore over the issue of Kashmir, so they rebelled. In December, 1846, the Treaty of Bhairowal was signed. According to the provisions of this treaty, Rani Jindan was removed as regent and a council of regency for Punjab was set up. The council consisted of 8 Sikh sardars presided over by the English Resident, Henry Lawrence.