Q. Following the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839, the Punjab state collapsed into chaos. Consider the following statements regarding the court factions:
1.The “Dogra Faction,” led by brothers Dhian Singh and Gulab Singh, sought to maintain their influence by manipulating the succession of Ranjit Singh’s descendants.
2.The “Sikh Aristocracy” (the Sandhawalias) were in constant conflict with the Dogras, leading to a series of assassinations of monarchs like Kharak Singh and Nao Nihal Singh.
3.The British took advantage of this instability by encouraging the Khalsa army to take a dominant role in political decision-making, knowing it would lead to a clash.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct. The Dogra brothers were extremely powerful and held key administrative posts. After Ranjit Singh’s death, they became kingmakers, often switching sides to protect their own interests in Jammu and Punjab.
Statement 2: Correct. The Sandhawalia Misldars were blood relatives of Ranjit Singh and resented the Dogra influence. The period between 1839 and 1845 saw a “Game of Thrones” style struggle where multiple heirs and vazirs were murdered in quick succession.
Statement 3: Incorrect. The British did not encourage the Khalsa army; they were actually terrified of it. The Khalsa army became a self-governing body through “Panchayats” and began dictating terms to the Lahore Durbar. The British viewed this “democratized” army as a dangerous neighbor and used its unpredictability as a pretext for war.
