Origin of the Sikh Power in the Punjab, and Political Life of Muha-Raja Runjeet Singh

Henry T. Prinsep (1792–1878) began his career in India with the East India Company in 1807 and worked in various posts, finally being appointed Persian secretary before retiring in 1843. Throughout his career, and into his retirement, he wrote a number of books about India. The present work, however, published in 1834, is a report taken from information gathered by the late political agent at Umbala, Captain William Murray, whose death made it necessary for other officials to ready the work for publication. The report looks at the history of the Sikh people and the rise of Runjeet (Ranjit) Singh (1780–1839). After Singh died, his empire began to weaken, and by 1845 the British were at war with the Sikhs. This work provides a view of the Punjab during a critical point in its history.