Ranjith Singh

Ranjith Singh

The process towards the establishment of an autonomous sikh state was completed under ranjith singh in 19^th  century.He belonged to the sukar chakya misl and brought various sikh principalities into one political entity.

The maharaja Ranjith Singh was the embodiment of all the civil and political authority in the state.But he was a benevolent despot and looked to the welfare of the people.

He considered himself as a servant of khalsa and designed his government as “sarkar-i-khalsaji” and struck coin in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobinth Singh.There was a council ministers to help Raja in the task of administration.

Ranjith Singh divided the kingdom into provinces each under a Nizam.a province was further subdivided  into district each under a kardar.At the village level the Panchayath functioned effectively.

The main source of the income of the state was land revenue which was fixed between 33% and 40%.The administration of justice was rough and ready.It was more local than national level.

Excessive fines were imposed on the criminals,of course depending on the means of the offenders.Justice was thus looked upon as a source of income to the state.

Ranjith Singh organized his army on the western line with the help of europeans.A model army or Fauz-khas was raised in 1822 with the help of General Ventura and allard.A special feature of singh’s army was the appointment of europeans in the service of the state.

Gneral ventura headed the infantry ,Allard was in charge of the chavalry while Court and Gardner reorganized the artillary department.He adopted the system of MAHDARI or monthly payment of salaries to the soldiers and officials.

Fakir azizuddin was the foreign minister of Ranjith Singh and Dinanath was his finance minister.avitable,an italian served as governor of peshawar in 1837.Victor Jacquement ,a french visitor to the court of singh compared him with Napolian Bonapparte.

As a ruler  Singh showed deep solicitude for the welfare of the people.he took adequate care to safeguard the interest of the common man against official oppression.it is said that a box was affixed outside his palace in which people can lodge their complaint.

But it is difficult to regard Singh as a constructive state man.The kingdom he had so assiduously built up disintegrated within z decade of his death and the maharaja himself cannot escape the responsibility for that.

Not withstanding his short sighted policy,Ranjith Singh occupies a high position in indian history .The memory of this hero is still cherished by the people of the Punjab.