Empire of the Sikhs: Revised edition

Description

The definitive biography of Ranjit Singh, contemporary of Napoleon and one of the most powerful and charismatic Indian rulers of his age Ranjit Singh has been largely written out of accounts of the subcontinent's past by recent Western historians, yet he had an impact that lasts to this day. He unified the warring chiefdoms of the Punjab into an extraordinary northern Empire of the Sikhs, built up a formidable modern army, kept the British in check to the south of his realm, and closed the Khyber Pass through which plunderers had for centuries poured into India. Unique among empire builders, he was humane and just, gave employment to defeated foes, honored religious faiths other than his own, and included Hindus and Muslims among his ministers. In person he was a colorful character whose his court was renowned for its splendor; he had 20 wives, kept a regiment of "desertcarts," and possessed a stable of thousands of horses. The authors make use of a variety of eyewitness accounts from Indian and European sources, from reports of Maratha spies at the Lahore Durbar to British parliamentary papers and travel accounts. The story includes the range of the maharaja's military achievements and ends with an account of the controversial period of the Anglo-Sikh Wars following his death, which saw the fall of his empire while in the hands of his successors. Review: great biography with great detail on an underrated leader - This is a great biography with great detail on an underrated leader of the 19th century whom did so much to resist British colonialism, its rather unfortunate that we have so few sources in English about such a charismatic leader whom in such a short time built a powerful army and united his people... only for his sons to screw up about 10 years after his death or so. I specially enjoyed the details on the creation of modern Sikh army in the early 19th century and the fanatical elements like the Akalis, overall a great book, but the delivery took a little waaaaay too long Review: Great book! A book that anyone interested in Sikh ... - Great book! A book that anyone interested in Sikh and punjabi history should read. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was an amazing, smart and charasmatic leader and there should be more written about him and his accomplisments!