The Sikhs, a great power to reckon with since the later part of the 17th century, rose from a small band of adherents of a mystic teacher, in the line of medieval Indian saints, to a war-like community with political ambition and firm determination to end the oppressive authority and expansion of the Mughal emperors. They were prepared to sacrifice everything for history. In the early 19th century when the Mughal rule of Delhi was virtually supplanted by the British, the Sikhs came into contact with the latter power. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had tactfully divided any serious clashes with the British, confrontation between the British and the Sikhs are called Sikh wars in history. The brave Sikhs could finally be subdued and the State of Punjab annexed by the British only after prolonged wars and sustained political manoeuvers. This book, originally published in 1897, is a comprehensive account of the Sikhs, their religious tenets, organizations, rise to power, state administration and wars with the British. The real value of the book lies in its authenticity as the authors have spared no pains to utilize all sources of information--early published works as well as various unpublished materials. It is a very valuable source book for the history of British India.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Book I: Introductory Before 1808 Chapter 1: Preliminary Chapter 2: The Mogul Empire and the British Advance Chapter 3: The Growth of the Sikhs. Book II: Sikh Dominion Chapter 1: Ranjit Singh Creates the Lahore State Chapter 2: Later Years of Ranjit Singh, 1819-1839 Chapter 3: After Ranjit Singh, 1838-1843 Chapter 4: The Sikh Anarchy. Book III: The Sutlej Campaign: December 1845-March 1846 Chapter 1: Opening of the Campaign: December Chapter 2: The Engagement at Moodkee and After: December 18-21 Chapter 3: Ferozeshah, The Attack: December 21 Chapter 4: Ferozeshah--Second Day: December 22 Chapter 5: Budhowal and Aliwal: December 23-January 28 Chapter 6: Sobraon: February 10 Chapter 7: Survey of the Campaign. Book IV: From the Treaty of Lahore to Shere Singh's Revolt: March 1845-September 1848 Chapter 1: The Lahore Treaty: March-December, 1846 Chapter 2: The Rule of Henry Lawrence: 1847 Chapter 3: The Outbreak at Multan: March-May, 1848 Chapter 4: Advance of Herbert Edwardes: June and July Chapter 5: The First Siege of Multan: July-September. Book V: The Conquest of the Sikhs 1848-49 Chapter 1: The Sikh Rising: August, 1848-January 1849 Chapter 2: Second Siege of Multan: September-January, 1849 Chapter 3: The Crossing of the Chenab: November-December, 4, 1848 Chapter 4: Chillianwalla: December 4-January 13, 1849 Chapter 5: After Chillianwalla: January 14-February 21 Chapter 6: Gujerat and the End of the Campaign: February 21 Chapter 7: Summary and Conclusions as to the Sikh Wars. Book VI: The Annexation Chapter 1: The New Administration Chapter 2: The Work of the Governing Board Chapter 3: Epilogue.