PSEB Notes

This PSEB 11th Class Sociology Notes Chapter 2 Relationship of Sociology with Other Social Sciences will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Notes Chapter 2 Relationship of Sociology with Other Social Sciences

→ Every individual is having many aspects in his life; such as economic, religious, political, social, etc.

→ That’s why to study different aspects of society, Sociology needs to take help from other social sciences.

→ It is true that Sociology borrows subject matter from different social sciences but it also gives them its own subject matter to use.

→ In this way, other social sciences also depend upon Sociology to study their own subject matter.

→ Sociology and Political Science are closely related to each other. Sociology is the science of society and Political Science is a science of an aspect of society, which includes state and government.

→ Both the sciences depend upon each other and consequently have close relationships with each other. But there exist many differences among them.

→ History studies past events and Sociology studies present phenomena. Both the sciences study human society but from different aspects.

→ Sociology uses the information collected by History and Sociological material is used by Historians. That’s why they depend upon each other but they have many differences among them.

→ Sociology and Economics are also closely related to each other because economic relations are an important part of social relations.

→ Our social relations are definitely affected by economic relations. In this way they are interrelated. Both the sciences borrow their subject matter from each other.

→ Sociology is closely related to Psychology as well. Psychology studies human behaviour and humans are a part of society.

→ It is necessary to study humans before studying society. So, both these help each other and depend upon each other.

→ Sociology is also closely related to Anthropology. Anthropology studies ancient society and Sociology studies present society.

→ L. Kroeber calls both of these twin sisters. Sociology borrows a lot from Anthropological research.

→ In the same way, Anthropology also takes help from Sociology to understand human society.

→ Cultural Anthropology: Branch of Anthropology which studies cultural differences among humans.

→ Archaeology: It studies human activities with the help of excavated things from the earth.

→ Political Sociology: The branch of Sociology studies that how many social forces collectively influence political policies.

→ Physical Anthropology: It mainly deals with human evolution, their variability, and adaptations to environmental stresses. It is also known as Biological Anthropology.

→ Social Psychology: The scientific study which studies that how human behaviour and views are influenced by the presence of others.

This PSEB 11th Class Sociology Notes Chapter 1 Emergence of Sociology will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 11th Class Sociology Notes Chapter 1 Emergence of Sociology

→ The emergence of Sociology is a new phenomenon and we can tell the definite time about when it originated.

→ Many scholars such as Herodotus, Plato, Aristotle, etc. wrote a lot that is quite similar to present-day Sociology.

→ As a subject, Sociology originated after the French Revolution of 1789 when many changes came in society.

→ Many scholars such as Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber stressed the study of social order, conflict, stability, and change. Consequently, the origin of Sociology took place.

→ Three major processes contributed to the establishment of sociology as a separate discipline and these were

• French Revolution and Enlightenment Movement
• Development of Natural Sciences and
• Industrial Revolution and Urbanisation.

→ Many scholars contributed to the advent of the French Revolution. They challenged the authority of the Church and did not follow the Church’s orders blindly. This encouraged the people to solve their problems in a logical manner.

→ During 16th and 17th Centuries, Natural Sciences made great progress. This progress motivated social thinkers to invent something in the social sector.

→ A new belief came forward that as natural sciences understand the biological world, the same method can be used on social phenomena.

→ Sociologists such as Comte, Spencer, Durkheim tried to understand the social phenomena in the same way and they were quite successful in their effort.

→ In the 18th Century, Industrial Revolution came in Europe, and consequently, industries and urban centres emerged a great deal.

→ Many problems originated in cities and a need was felt about the existence of science that could understand them. Response to this need came in the form of Sociology.

→ In 1839, the word ‘Sociology’ was used for the first time by Auguste Comte. That’s why he is known as the father of Sociology. The literal meaning of Sociology is the Science of society.

→ Many scholars call Sociology a science because it uses scientific methods which help in drawing up conclusions. Its rules are universal and they can predict.

→ Many scholars do not consider Sociology, a science because they believe that it lacks experimentation and objectivity. It lacks terminology and it is quite difficult to collect data in it.

→ There exist two schools about the subject matter of Sociology and these are Formalistic School and Synthetic School.

→ According to the Formalistic school of Sociology, it is an independent science that studies the forms of social relations. Simmel, Tonnies, Vierkandt and Von Wiese are the exponents of this school.

→ According to the synthetic school of Sociology, it is not an independent science because it is a synthesis of other social sciences and takes help from them to create its subject matter. Durkheim, Hobhouse, Sorokin, etc. are the major exponents of this school.

→ Sociology holds a very important place in our daily lives as it studies different institutions, helps in social progress, solves different problems, and forms programmes of social welfare.

→ Individualism: The feeling in which an individual thinks only about himself instead of thinking about society.

→ Capitalism: It is a system of economic enterprise which is based on market exchange. The meaning of Capital is any asset including property, money, and machines, which is used to produce commodities for sale or invested in the market to earn profits. This system is based on means of production and private ownership of assets.

→ Values: Ideas of individuals or groups about which is good or bad, proper and desirable.

→ Macro Sociology: Study of major groups, organisations .and social systems.

→ Micro Sociology: Study of human behaviour in the context of face-to-face interaction.

→ Industrialisation: The age of social and economic, a change which converted human society from rural to industrial.

→ Urbanisation: The process in which a large number of people start to live in urban areas. It results in the growth of urban areas.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 23 Second Anglo-Sikh War, Causes, Results and Annexation of the Punjab will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 23 Second Anglo-Sikh War, Causes, Results and Annexation of the Punjab

Causes of the Second Anglo-Sikh War:

• The Sikhs were defeated in the first war against the Britishers.
• Thus they wanted to avenge their defeat.
• The Punjabis were dissatisfied with the Treaties of Lahore and Bhairowal because they ended the sovereignty of the Sikh Empire.
• Thousands of Sikh soldiers were disbanded leading to resentment amongst them.
• The humiliating treatment meted out to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s widow and Maharaja Dalip Singh’s mother Maharani Jindan further aggravated the resentment of the Sikhs.
• The British deliberately avoided the rebellion by Moolraj.
• The revolt of Chattar Singh and his son Sher Singh was also the cause of the war.
• Lord Dalhousie’s policy further aggravated the problem and because of the immediate cause for the Second Anglo-Sikh War.

Events of the War:
The main events of the second Anglo-Sikh War were as follows:

Battle of Ramnagar:

• The first battle of the second Anglo-Sikh war between the Sikhs and the British took place at Ramnagar on 22nd November 1848 A.D.
• Lord Hugh Gough was the commander of the British army and the Sikh army was led by Sher Singh.
• The Sikhs inflicted a crushing defeat on the British.

The Battle of Chillianwala:

• The battle of Chillianwala was one of the significant battles of the second Anglo-Sikh War.
• It was fought on 13th January 1849 A.D.
• The British army was again led by Lord Gough and the Sikh army was again led by Sher Singh.
• This battle proved to be the worst defeat of the British, in India.

Battle of Multan:

• General Whish besieged the fort of Multan in December 1848 A.D.
• A shell hurled by the British fell on gun-powder due to which the Sikh ammunition was destroyed and soldiers were killed in large numbers.
• Owing to this Diwan Moolraj was forced to surrender to the British on 22nd January 1849 A.D.

Battle of Gujarat:

• The battle of Gujarat proved to be the most important and decisive battle of the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
• In this battle, Chattar Singh, Sher Singh, and Bhai Maharaj Singh made a united front against the British.
• The English army was still led by Lord Hugh Gough.
• This battle is also famous as the ‘Battle of Guns’ in history.
• This battle started on 21st February 1849 A.D.
• On 10th March 1849 A.D., the Sikhs were defeated and they collectively surrendered before the General.

Consequences of the War:

• The most significant result of the Second Anglo- Sikh war was that it completely brought to an end the Sikh Empire which was completely annexed by the British on 29th March 1849 A.D.
• The Sikh army was disbanded.
• Moolraj and Bhai Maharaj Singh were banished from the state.
• The British established a Board of Administration to run the administration of Punjab in 1849 A.D.

Arguments in favour of Annexation of Punjab:

• The Sikhs were accused of violating the terms of the Treaty of Bhairowal.
• Sardar Chattar Singh and his son Sher Singh revolted and supported Moolraj which the British felt was an effort to revive the Sikh rule in Punjab.
• Lord Dalhousie thus had an undoubting conviction of the expediency, the justice, and necessity of his act.
• Lord Dalhousie levelled a charge against the Lahore Darbar that according to the terms of the Treaty of Bhairowal, she was to pay Rs. 22 lakhs annually to the British but it did not pay a single penny.

Arguments against Annexation of Punjab:

• Historians believe that the Sikhs were provoked to revolt.
• The revolt by Moolraj was not suppressed deliberately in time so that the British got a pretext to1 to wage a war against Punjab.
• Lahore Darbar gave full co-operation in fulfilling the terms of the treaty.
• The revolt against the British had taken place only in some regions of Punjab.
• To punish the whole of Punjab was totally unjustified.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 1 Physical Features of the Punjab and their influence on its History will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 1 Physical Features of the Punjab and their influence on its History

Different Names of the Punjab:

• The word Punjab is a combination of the two words of the Persian language: ‘Punj’ and ‘Aab’ which literally means, the land of five rivers.
• In the Rigvedic period, Punjab was called ‘Sapta Sindhu’, it was called Tanchnada’ in the Puranas, ‘Pentapotamia’ by the Greeks, ‘Lahore Suba’ in the medieval period, and ‘Punjab Province’ by the British.

Physical Features of the Punjab:
The main aspects related to the physical features of Punjab are as follows:

The Himalayas and Sulaiman Mountain Ranges:

• The Himalayas are situated to the north of Punjab.
• It stretches from Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west.
• These mountain ranges have proved to be a great boon for Punjab.
• The Himalayas have made the land of Punjab fertile.
• The Sulaiman mountain ranges are situated in the northwest of Punjab.
• It is in these ranges that the Khyber, Bolan, Kurram, Tochi, and Gomal passes are located.

Sub-mountainous Region:

• This region is located between the Shivalik ranges and the plains of Punjab.
• It is also called the Tarai region. Hoshiarpur, Kangra, Ambala, the northern part of Gurdaspur, and some areas of Sialkot are located in this region.

The Plains:

• The plains constitute the largest and most important region of Punjab.
• This region is located between the rivers Indus and Jamuna.
• A bigger part of the plains is surrounded by the Five Doabs.
• These Doabs are called the Bist Jalandhar Doab, Bari Doab, Rachna Doab, Chaz Doab, Sind Sagar Doab.
• The vast plains located between the Sutlej and the Jamuna rivers also form a part of Punjab and are called Malwa and Bangar.
• The southwest region of Punjab is a desert. Hence, the density of the population is very low here.

Influence of Physical Features on the History of the Punjab:

• The geographical conditions of Punjab have greatly influenced the social, political, economic, religious, and cultural life of Punjab in many ways:

Political Effects:

• As a result of its geographical location, Punjab has been the gateway of India for the conquerors for many centuries.
• All the important and decisive battles were fought here.
• The political importance of several towns of Punjab increased.
• Punjab had to suffer grave difficulties and atrocities for centuries.

Social Effects:

• The Punjabis developed special traits of character like bravery, courage, hard work, sympathy, co-operation, social service, tolerance, and sacrificing the self for the country.
• There was an increase in the number of castes and sub-castes here.
• The art and literature of Punjab could not develop.

Religious Effects:

• Punjab is considered the birthplace of Hinduism.
• Islam was much propagated in Punjab as compared to the other parts of India.
• The development and growth of Sikhism are very closely related to the geographical features of Punjab.

Economic Effects:

• Due to the fertility of its soil, agriculture is the main occupation of the Punjabis.
• The domestic and foreign trade of Punjab was encouraged.
• Several commercial towns developed in Punjab.
• The Punjabis became quite prosperous.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 22 First Anglo-Sikh War: Causes and Results will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 22 First Anglo-Sikh War: Causes and Results

Causes of the First Anglo-Sikh War:

• With a view to occupying Punjab, the British started encircling it.
• The unstable political condition of Punjab also invited the British.
• The British occupation of Sind in 1843 A.D. further enhanced the bitterness in the relationship between them – The British began great military preparations.
• The newly elected political agent of Ludhiana Major Broadfoot conducted several activities that infuriated the Sikhs.
• The new Wazir of Lahore, Lai Singh also started instigating the Sikh army against the British.

Events of the War:
The first battle fought between the Sikhs and the British went through the following course of events:

Battle of Mudki:

• This battle was fought on 18th December 1845 A.D.
• In this, the Sikh army was led by Lai Singh and the British army was led by Lord Hugh Gough.
• In this battle, the Sikh army was defeated because of Lai Singh’s treachery.

Battle of Ferozeshah:

• This battle was fought on 21st December 1845 A.D.
• In this battle, there was a situation when the British decided to give up unconditionally.
• But because of Lai Singh’s treachery, the Sikh army was defeated again.

Battle of Baddhowal:

• The battle of Baddhowal took place on 21st January 1846 A.D. led by Ranjodh Singh.
• The British had to face defeat in this battle.

Battle of Aliwal:

• The Battle of Aliwal was fought on 28th January 1846 A.D.
• In this, the British army was led by Harry Smith.
• The Sikhs lost this battle because of Ranjodh Singh’s treachery.

Battle of Sobraon:

• The battle of Sobraon was the last battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War.
• In this battle, the Sikh army was led by Lai Singh and Teja Singh, and the British army was led by Lord Hugh Gough and Lord Harding.
• This battle was fought on 10th February 1846 A.D.
• Lai Singh and Teja Singh’s treachery again led to Sikh defeat.
• Sham Singh Attariwala displayed great feats of bravery in this battle.
• The British were victorious in this battle in the end.

Results of the War:

• As a consequence of this war, the ‘Lahore Treaty was signed between the Lahore court and the British government on 9th March 1846 A.D.
• According to this, the Maharaja of Lahore had to give away his control over all the regions to the South of the Sutlej river.
• The British demanded Rs. 1.50 crores as war indemnity.
• The British acknowledge Dalip Singh as the Maharaja of Lahore, Rani Jindan as his regent, and Lai Singh as their Prime Minister.
• The British handed over the control of the state to the council of Regency on 16th December 1846 under the Bhairowal Treaty.
• Maharani Jindan was removed from this post.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 21 Character and Personality of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 21 Character and Personality of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

As a Man:

• The appearance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was not very attractive.
• His face was suffused with a special type of halo.
• Maharaja was very hard working.
• He was fond of hunting and horse riding.
• He possessed a very keen, intelligent, and prodigious memory.
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh was very popular with the people for his kindness.
• He was a devoted follower of Sikhism.
• He kept his religious di9crimination at an arm’s length.

As a General and Conqueror:

• He is counted among the greatest generals of the world.
• He did not have to face defeat in the battles which he fought during his lifetime.
• He paid full attention to the welfare of his soldiers.
• By virtue of his ability and bravery, he converted his small kingdom into a big empire.
• He annexed to his empire the important areas like Lahore, Amritsar, Kasur, Sialkot, Kangra, Gujarat. Jammu, Attock,
• Multan, Kashmir, and Peshawar.
• His empire had extended its frontiers from Ladakh in the North to Shikarpur in the ‘South, from the river Sutlej in the East to Peshawar in the West.

As an Administrator:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh was not only a great conqueror but also an able administrator.
• With a view to run the administration efficiently, he had dividçd his kingdom into four big provinces.
• The smallest unit of administration was ‘Mauza’ or village.
• The village administration was in the hands of the Panchayat.
• The Maharaja had appointed many able and honest ministers.
• He offered special opportunities to the farmers and the poor.
• The Maharaja paid special attention to the military administration.
• He gave training to his army in the European pattern.
• It was owing to these efforts of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that the Sith army could become strong and efficient.

As a Diplomat:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a shrewd and farsighted diplomat.
• He conquered all the Misis by virtue of his diplomacy.
• He secured the fort of Attock from Jahandad Khan without any fight.
• In 1835 AD., the ruler of Afghanistan, Dost Mohammad Khan fled the battlefield without fighting because of Maharaja’s diplomacy.
• In 1809 AD., Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave evidence of his political sagacity by establishing a friendship with the British.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 20 Civil and Military Administration of Ranjit Singh will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 20 Civil and Military Administration of Ranjit Singh

Civil Administration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:
The main features of the civil administration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh are as follows:

Central Administration:

• The Maharaja was the head of the state.
• He framed all internal and external policies of the state.
• For the efficient performance of administrafiontheMaharaja organised a Council of Ministers.
• The ministers were appointed by the Maharaja himself.
• Next to the Maharaja in importance was the place of Prime Minister (Wazir).
• The other ministers included Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Commander-in-Chief, Deorhiwala, etc.
• For administrative efficiency, he had tested the various departments or drafters.
• There were 12 drafters in total.

Provincial Administration:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh had divided his kingdom into four provinces
• The names of these provinces were
  • Suba-i- Lahore
  • Suba-i-Multan
  • Suba-i-Kashmir
  • Suba-i-Peshwar
• Nazim was the highest authority of the Suba.
• The Maharaja could change the Nazim whenever he wanted.

Local Administration:

• Each Suba was further divided into many Parganas.
• The chief official of the Pargana was called Kardar.
• The smallest unit of administration was the village.
• It was then called the Mauza.
• The administration of the village was in the hands of the Panchayat.
• The other important officials of the village administration were Chaudhary, Patwari, Muqaddam, and Chowkidar.

Financial Administration:

• Land revenue constituted the most important source of Maharaja’s state.
• The methods of assessment of land revenue were the Batai system, Kankut system, Zabat system, Bigha system, Plough system, Well system, Ijaradari system.
• The land revenue was collected twice a year.
• It varied from place to place according to the fertility of the soil.
• The other main sources of income were custom duties, Nazrana, Zabti, income from the judiciary, etc.

Jagirdari Administration:

• Service Jagirs were the most significant of all the Jagirs which were given during the times of Maharaja Ranjit Sing.
• They could be enlarged, reduced, or confiscated depending upon how their guarantors discharged their assigned responsibilities.
• These were divided into both military and civil jagirs.
• The other jagirs were Inam Jagirs, Subsistence Jagirs, Watan Jagirs, Dharmarth Jagirs.

Judicial Administration:

• The judicial system of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was very simple Judicial decisions were made in accordance with the customary conventions and religious beliefs.
• In Maharaja’s Judicial system Panchayat was the smallest and the King’s court was the highest.
• The people were at liberty to knock at the door of any court in the state.
• Criminals were normally fined.
• The death sentence was not awarded to any criminal.

Military Administration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:

• The military system of Ranjit Singh was a happy compromise between the old and the new ideas.
• The military system of Maharaja Ranjit Singh may be termed as Franco-British system in the Indian setting Maharaja Ranjit Singh had divided his army into two wings Fauj-i-Ain (regular army) and Fauj-i-Be-Qawaid (irregular army).
• The regular army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was called Fauj-i-Ain and it comprised all three arms infantry, cavalry, and artillery Fauj-i-Khas was the most important and strongest portion Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army.
• It was trained under the command of General Ventura.
• Fauj-i-Be-Qawaid means that army that did not observe any prescribed rules.
• Historians hold that people from different sects were recruited in Maharaja’s army.
• The soldiers in the army ranged between 75,000 and 1,00,000 in number.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 19 Ranjit Singh’s relations with Afghanistan and his N.W.F. Policy will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 19 Ranjit Singh’s relations with Afghanistan and his N.W.F. Policy

Ranjit Singh’s Relations with Afghanistan:
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s relations with Afghanistan were divided into four stages:

First Stage:

• This stage started in 1797 A.D. and ended in 1812 A.D.
• In 1797 A.D. when Ranjit Singh took over the reins of ShukarchakiUMisl, Shah Zaman was the emperor of Afghanistan.
• Ranjit Singh sent his guns that had fallen into the Jhelum river Pleased with him, he acknowledged Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule over Lahore.
• In 1803 A.D., Shah Shuja became the ruler of Afghanistan.
• Taking advantage of his weakness, Maharaja Ranjit Singh established control over the areas of Kasur, Jhang, and Sahiwal, etc.

Second Stage:

• This stage was from 1813 to 1834 A.D.
• According to the treaty signed at Rohtasgarh in 1813 A.D., the combined armed forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Afghan Wazir Fateh Khan attacked Kashmir.
• Fateh Khan duped the emperor.
• On 13th July 1813 A.D., at a place called Hazro, the first battle was fought between the Afghans and Sikhs Fateh Khan was defeated in it.
• Maharaja’s occupation of Peshawar led to the terrible battle of Naushera on 14th March 1823 A.D.
• The Afghans were defeated in the battle also.
• On 6th May 1834 A.D., Peshawar was completely annexed to the Sikh kingdom.

Third Stage:

• This stage was from 1834 to 1837 A.D.
• Dost Muhammad Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan was infuriated because of the Maharaja’s occupation of Peshawar.
  consequently, he declared the Jihad.
• But because of Ranjit Singh’s diplomacy; he had to flee without fighting the battle.
• In 1837 A.D., the Battle of Jamrud was fought between the Sikhs and the Afghans.
• The Sikhs were victorious in the battle but Hari Singh Nalwa was martyred.
• After this, the Afghan soldiers never faced Peshawar.

Fourth Stage:

• This stage was from 1838 to 1839 A.D.
• Seeing the growing influence of Russia, the British planned to make Shah Shuja the new ruler of Afghanistan.
• On 26th June 1838 A.D., the Tripartite Treaty was signed between the British, Shah Shuja, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• On 27th June 1839 A.D., Maharaja Ranjit Singh expired.
• In this way, the tables always stood in favour of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as far as Sikh.
• Afghan relations were concerned.

North-West Frontier Policy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:

• The problem of the North-West frontier always remained a problem for the rulers of Punjab and India.
• It was from here that the foreign invaders attacked India.
• The turbulent tribes of this region were always uncontrollable.
• Between 1831 A.D. and 1836 A.D., Maharaja conquered the regions of Dera Ghazi Khan, Tonk, Bannu, and Peshawar, etc.
• Maharaja never tried to occupy Afghanistan.
• He sent several military expeditions against the turbulent Afghan tribes.
• Several new forts were built on the North-West Frontier.
• The specially trained army was maintained there.
• Military governors were appointed there.
• Special provisions were made for the welfare of these tribes.
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s North-West Frontier Policy was successful to quite an extent.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 18 Anglo-Sikh Relations 1800-1839 A.D. will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 18 Anglo-Sikh Relations 1800-1839 A.D.

First Stage:

• The first stage of the Anglo-Sikh relations was from 1800-09 A.D.
• The Britishers sent their emissary Yusuf Ali to the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1800 A.D.
• In 1805 A.D., the Maratha Sardar Jaswant Rao Holkar came to Punjab to seek Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s help against the British but the Maharaja refused to extend any active help.
• Because of this, the Britishers were very happy with him and they signed a treaty with Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Lahore on 1st January 1806 A.D.
• In order to check the growing influence of Ranjit Singh, Charles Metcalfe met Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Amritsar on 10th December 1808 A.D. but this talk also remained inconclusive.
• Both the parties began to make warfare preparations.
• At the last moment, however, Maharaja Ranjit Singh yielded to the British demands.

The Treaty of Amritsar:

• On 25th April 1809 A.D., Maharaja Ranjit Singh signed the Treaty of Amritsar with the Britishers.
• The British agreed to haVe no concern with the territories and subjects of the Maharaja to the extent of the river Sutlej.
• It shattered Ranjit Singh’s greatest cherished ideals of being the sole ruler of all the Sikhs.
• Ranjit Singh saved his kingdom from ruin by signing this treaty.
• It was a big diplomatic victory for the British.

Second Stage:

• The second stage from 1809-1839 A.D. was a period of distrust and suspicion between the two parties.
• During 1812 A.D. and 1821 A.D., the Britishers and Maharaja Ranjit Singh adopted a neutral policy and did not interfere in each other’s affairs.
• The Britishers succeeded in signing a commercial treaty with Sind in 1832 A.D. which dealt a severe jolt to the morale of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• In 1835 A.D., the Maharaja kept quiet over the question of Shikarpur and Ferozepur.
• Ranjit Singh had to yield to the threats of the English Resident Macnaughten and he signed the Tripartite Treaty on 26th June 1838 A.D.
• Some historians hold the view that Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave proof of his capacity and farsightedness by not fighting with the Britishers but on the other hand, some other historians have strongly criticized the policy of Ranjit Singh towards the British.

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 17 Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Career and Conquests will help you in revision during exams.

PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 17 Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Career and Conquests

Early Career of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born in 1780 A.D. in the family of the Sukarchakia Misl chief Mahan Singh.
• The name of Ranjit Singh’s mother was Raj Kaur.
• Ranjit Singh was four years old when he fell a victim to smallpox because of which the light of his left eye was gone forever.
• Ranjit Singh was very brave right from his childhood.
• He was 16 years old when he was married to Mehtab Kaur, the granddaughter of the Kanahia Misl Sardar, Jai Singh, and the daughter of Gurbaksh Singh.
• When Mahan Singh died, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a minor and so the task of state administration passed into the hands of his mother, Raj Kaur, Diwan Lakhpat Rai, and Sada Kaur who together formed the Triune Regency.
• When Ranjit Singh grew to be 17, he took over the charge of administration and put an end to the Triune Regency.

The political condition of Punjab:

• When Ranjit Singh took over the reins of the Sukarchakia Misl, the atmosphere of anarchy and lawlessness was prevalent in Punjab.
• In most parts of Punjab, the Sikhs had founded 12 independent Misls.
• All these were very weak and they continued to fight with one another.
• In the North-West regions of Punjab, the Muslims had set up several independent states.
• There was a lack of unity among these states.
• There were few Rajput states in Punjab.
• The Gorkhas of Nepal were greedily looking towards Punjab.
• In the East, the British and the Marathas had locked their horns and so Maharaja Ranjit Singh did not have to worry about them.
• The ruler of Afghanistan, Shah Zaman, had taken possession of Lahore.

Ranjit Singh’s Policy towards the Sikh Misls:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s policy towards the Sikh Misls was similar to the Rajput policy adopted by Akbar.
• There was no room for relation or obligation in it.
• He established matrimonial ties with the powerful Kanahia and Nakkai Misls and established friendly relations with
• Ahluwalia and Ramgarhia Misls.
• With their support, he attacked the weak lists and annexed them to his kingdom.
• At the right opportunity, he backstabbed friendly misls and annexed them to his kingdom.
• In 1805 A.D. Ranjit Singh put an end to the Gurmata and acquired complete freedom of taking political decisions.

Conquests of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:
A brief description of the important victories of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is as follows:

Conquest of Lahore:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Lahore from the Bhangi Sardars on July 7, 1799 A.D.
• This was his first and most important victory.
• Lahore remained the capital of the empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Conquest of Amritsar:

• In 1805 A.D., Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Amritsar from Mai Sukhan.
• This victory led to the spread of fame of Maharaja far and wide because the Sikhs considered Amritsar as their Mecca.

Conquest of Multan:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent 7 expeditions to Multan to conquer it between 1802 and 1817 A.D.
• In the end, Multan was conquered on 2nd June 1818 A.D.
• Its ruler Muzzafar Khan and his five sons were killed in the battle.
• The conqueror of Multan, Misar Diwan Chand was bestowed upon with the title of Zafar Jang.

Conquest of Kashmir:

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh invaded Kashmir thrice.
• He conquered Kashmir during his third expedition in 1819 A.D.
• At that time Jabbar Khan was the Governor of Kashmir.
• This victory proved to be extremely beneficial for Maharaja in several respects.

Conquest of Peshawar:

• Though Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Peshawar in 1823 A.D. yet he annexed it to his kingdom in 1834 A.D.
• This dealt a severe jolt to the power of the Afghans.

Other Conquests:

• Other important conquests of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that deserve a special mention were Kasur and Jhang (1807), Sialkot (1808), Kangra (1809), Jammu (1809), Attock (1813), and Dera Gazi Khan (1820), etc.