Sind had an ambitious neighbour in the Sikh ruler, Ranjit Singh, who coveted it as a natural sphere of expansion for his empire. But his attempts were thwarted by his friends, the English, w... Read more
Macnaghten’s successor, Major Eldred Pottinger, wanted to break off all negotiations with the Afghans and either to occupy the Bala Hissar, and hold out till help came or to proceed to... Read more
Lord Auckland’s policy is indefensible from all points of view. As an independent ruler of Afghanistan, Dost Muhammad had every right to enlist Perso-Russian alliance on his side howev... Read more
Chronic Troubles in Afghanistan after Zaman Shah The removal of Zaman Shah was followed by a period of chronic troubles and disorder in the kingdom of Afghanistan. His brother, Mahmud Shah,... Read more
By this time Lord Dalhousie had resolved to meet openly the Sikh national challenge. He declared on the 10th October, 1848: “Un- warned by precedent, uninfluenced by example, the Sikh... Read more
The victory of the English at Sobraon was of a decisive nature. They were relieved of the danger from “the bravest and steadiest enemy ever encountered in India” which almost sho... Read more
Though a great conqueror, Ranjit was not stern by nature but, on the other hand, showed kindness and consideration towards his fallen foes. Baron Carl von Hugel, a German traveller who visit... Read more
The rapid successes of Ranjit Singh made his intervention in the affairs of the Cis-Sutlej States inevitable. Quarrels among the local Sikh chiefs, and an appeal for his help by some of them... Read more
By the annexation of Pegu the eastern frontier of the British Indian Empire was extended up to the banks of the Salween. British control was established over the whole of the eastern coast o... Read more
There is no doubt that the English secured important advantages out of the first Anglo-Burmese War. They deprived the Burmese of the greater part of their sea-coast, and Assam, Cachar and Ma... Read more