Early Life:
Born on November 13, 1780, in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan), Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the sole heir of Maha Singh, taking over as chief of the Shukerchakias in 1792 after his father’s demise. His inheritance included Gujranwala town and its surrounding villages.
Contribution: Founder of the Sikh Empire:
Ranjit Singh played a pivotal role in establishing the Sikh Empire by unifying the fragmented Misls that governed Punjab. During the 18th century, powerful chieftains divided the region into these sovereign states after the collapse of the Mughal Empire. Bestowed with the title “Lion of Punjab” (Sher-e-Punjab), Ranjit Singh successfully liberated Lahore, his capital, from Afghan invaders.
Modernization of Army:
To bolster his rule, Maharaja Ranjit Singh modernized his army, blending traditional Khalsa strengths with Western military advancements. European officers, notably French generals, were employed to train his troops, resulting in Asia’s most potent indigenous army of that era.
Wide Empire:
Ranjit Singh’s empire spanned across former Mughal provinces, including Lahore and Multan, along with portions of Kabul and the entirety of Peshawar. The boundaries extended from Ladakh in the northeast to the Khyber Pass in the northwest and Panjnad in the south, where the five rivers of Punjab converged into the Indus.
Legacy:
Known for his just and secular rule, Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted influential positions to both Hindus and Muslims in his darbar. He transformed the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar into the Golden Temple, covering it with gold. Additionally, he funded the Hazoor Sahib Gurudwara at the final resting place of Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Death:
Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away in Lahore in June 1839, precisely 40 years after conquering the city. Unfortunately, within six years of his death, the Sikh state he built crumbled due to internal strife among rival chiefs.
International Recognition:
In 2016, St Tropez in France honored Maharaja Ranjit Singh by unveiling a bronze statue in his honor. London’s Victoria and Albert Museum prominently displays his throne, while a 2018 exhibition in the city focused on the history of the Sikh Empire and the international relations forged by the visionary Maharaja.