Empires do not become great on their own; it is their rulers to whom
greatness is attributed. One such great empire was founded by a great
king - the Sikh Empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A warrior, military
strategist, adventurer and secularist, Ranjit Singh fought his first
battle alongside his father at the young age of 10. At the age of 21, he
laid the foundation of the Sikh dynasty by uniting all the Sikh misls
which were descending into anarchy and became the Maharaja of Punjab.
Ranjit Singh's rule was tolerant towards all religions, and gave even
the non-Sikhs the opportunity to assume important roles in its workings.
The Sikh Empire grew larger and flourished under his reign and it was
his military genius and formidable army which kept British invasion at
bay. The great empire fell with the death of its true ruler as his
successors were no match to his vision and vigour. Ranjit Singh AND THE
SIKH BARRIER BETWEEN OUR GROWING EMPIRE AND CENTRAL ASIA Ranjit Singh
and the Sikh Barrier between our Growing Empire and Central Asia is the
story of the élan of the 'Lion of Punjab' and his unsurpassable bravery.