Punjab Modern History Notes: Ranjit Singh's Lineage

Table of Contents

Ranjit Singh’s Lineage

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June 1839, the succession of the Sikh Empire became a critical issue, as there was no strong and capable ruler to take his place. Ranjit Singh is said to have had numerous wives and many children. His eldest son, Kharak Singh, was born to his favorite wife, Datar Kaur (born Raj Kaur). His first wife, Mehtab Kaur, bore Sher Singh and Tara Singh. Kashmira Singh and Pashaura Singh were the sons of his Bhangi widows, while his youngest son, Dalip Singh, was born in 1838 to Rani Jindan Kaur.

Kharak Singh (July 1839 – October 1839)

Kharak Singh succeeded Ranjit Singh but proved to be an ineffective ruler. He had been groomed for kingship since 1816, and his father even left a will confirming his succession. Dhian Singh, Ranjit Singh’s Wazir, was appointed as Kharak Singh’s guardian and chief advisor. However, Kharak Singh was careless, lethargic, and relied heavily on favorites, particularly his relative Chet Singh, who advised him to diminish the power of the Dogra chiefs, especially Dhian Singh.

This led to a confrontation where Dhian Singh, in alliance with Kharak Singh’s son, Nau Nihal Singh, orchestrated Chet Singh’s murder. Disgusted, Kharak Singh withdrew from governance and lived in seclusion until his death in 1840.

Nau Nihal Singh (October 1839 – November 1840)

Nau Nihal Singh, the son of Kharak Singh and Chand Kaur, was a promising ruler with the support of both the army and the people. He maintained a strong stance against the British and controlled the Dogras effectively. However, he attempted to murder his father, and Kharak Singh’s health deteriorated upon discovering this betrayal.

Fate soon caught up with Nau Nihal Singh. On his return from his father’s funeral, the archway of Hazuri Bagh collapsed on him, fatally injuring him. He succumbed to his injuries the same day.

Chand Kaur (November 1840 – January 1841)

Following Nau Nihal Singh’s death, a power struggle ensued. Dhian Singh supported Sher Singh, son of Ranjit Singh and Mehtab Kaur, while Nau Nihal Singh’s mother, Chand Kaur, claimed the throne as regent for her supposed unborn grandchild.

Chand Kaur raised the Sandhawalia chiefs, Ajit Singh and Attar Singh, to high positions as they supported her rule. However, she was an ineffective administrator and was soon overthrown by Sher Singh and Dhian Singh. She surrendered on January 17, 1841, and was allowed to live on a pension. Later, in June 1842, she was murdered on Dhian Singh’s orders before she could marry Sher Singh and reclaim her status.

Sher Singh (1841 – 1843)

Sher Singh ascended the throne on January 20, 1841, with the support of Dhian Singh, whom he made his Wazir. He rewarded his loyalists and punished those who had supported Chand Kaur. However, he indulged in pleasure and left administrative affairs to Dhian Singh, who filled key positions with his allies.

During his reign, he assisted the British in the First Anglo-Afghan War, but despite this, the British secretly plotted Punjab’s annexation. Meanwhile, Sher Singh grew weary of Dhian Singh’s dominance and sought to remove him. The British-backed Ajit Singh and Attar Singh, under the guise of aiding Sher Singh, assassinated him in 1843. Dhian Singh was also murdered the same day, and Sher Singh’s son, Pratap Singh, was killed soon after.

Maharaja Dalip Singh (1843 – 1849)

Hira Singh, Dhian Singh’s son, avenged his father’s murder by killing Ajit Singh and Lehna Singh. He then placed Dalip Singh, the five-year-old son of Ranjit Singh and Rani Jindan Kaur, on the throne, with himself as Wazir.

Hira Singh was an effective administrator but faced opposition from rival factions, including Jawahar Singh (brother of Rani Jindan), Suchet Singh, and Kashmira and Pashaura Singh. The military turned against him due to his growing closeness with Pandit Jalla, and he was assassinated. Jawahar Singh then assumed power but was soon eliminated by Dogra leaders Gulab Singh and Lal Singh.

By 1845, Punjab was engulfed in civil war and anarchy. Rani Jindan appointed Lal Singh as Wazir, but by then, the British were ready to strike. The Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-1849) led to the eventual annexation of Punjab on March 29, 1849, marking the end of Sikh sovereignty under Maharaja Dalip Singh.