Abstract
Establishment of Khalsa was a turning point in Sikh History as it transformed Sikhism and its identity from a synergetic movement of monotheistic eclecticism into a fanatically anti-Mughal militant group. Khalsa army very gradually developed in 18th century and many changes were subsequently introduced into military organization of Khalsa. The start of 19th century brought a major change in the political scenario of the Punjab with the rise of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. The Maharaja completely changed the outlook of Khalsa army due to his personal abilities and geneses. He realized that the Khalsa army which was very successful during chaotic and anarchic 18th century due to his mode of warfare as guerilla fighting was inappropriate to the requirements of changed time and if he wanted to establish a great rule, it is obligatory to make stronger his army and re-arranged it on the modern basis. He very eagerly observed the methodical training of the British troops and got stimulated of their discipline and sent his men to learn the British method of training and the tactics of warfare. He hired Europeans to train his military. Establishment of Infantry and artillery was another major change in existing military tradition of Khalsa. He engaged the absconders from the British East India Company to instruct the infantry platoons of Khalsa army. He modified the style of fighting and adopted the steady fire from gun and musket in place of guerilla mode of attacks. He knew very well that to survive at the time of decline the old styles of warfare are not purposeful enough against extremely trained and disciplined British army. He also strengthened another unnoticed part of the Sikh army which was artillery. He grew up its gun reserve and arranged there manufacturing on large scale. The changes under these two branches brought very obvious change in the outlook of the Khalsa army. That change was also due to the common change in the overall look of the country, as the use of the artillery by the Europeans in India and also the employment or recruitment of the regimented military on a large scale incompetent the old strategy and methods of warfare. That’s why after enchanting power, Maharaja without delay started remodeling of his forces. In the period of decay, Maharaja’s kingdom survived due to his military. However, plethora of literature has been produced on this era but Maharaja still needs to be seen as military genius of his times. Rise of Khalsa army from the strength of 300 horsemen and 60 artillerymen along with a stable consisted of 800 horses under Guru Gobind Singh to the establishment of marvelous military often reached to the strength of 70,000 cavalry which well thought-out a threat to the contemporary powers, needs a thorough explanation. Therefore, the object of this paper is to analyze the development of unified Sikh army under Maharaja. It further explore and present variety of aspects of his military organization such as adoption of new methods of warfare, training, drill, manufacturing of guns, means of transport for army, regular payment system and many more. The Maharaja Ranjeet Singh gave Punjab forty years of peace, prosperity and progress of law and order which was not possible without a well-developed military.