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

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

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:

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.