Consider the following statements with reference to the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh:

1. He was the chief of the Sukerchakia misl.

2. He modernized his army along the European lines with the help of European instructors.

3. Ranjit Sing set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?         

Solution

● Statement 1 is correct: At the end of the 18th century, Ranjit Singh, chief of the Sukerchakia Misl rose into prominence. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore in 1799 and Amritsar in 1802. He brought all Sikh chiefs west of the Sutlej River under his control and established his own kingdom in the Punjab. ● Statement 2 is correct: Ranjit Singh built up a powerful, disciplined, and well-equipped army along European lines with the help of European instructors. It is said that he possessed the second best army in Asia, the first was the army of the English East India Company. ● Statement 3 is correct: Apart from Sikhs, Ranjit Singh also recruited Gurkhas, Biharis, Oriyas, Pathans, Dogras, and Punjabi Muslims. He set up the modern foundries to manufacture cannon at Lahore and employed Muslim gunners to man them. Ranjit Singh did not make any change in the system of lend revenue promulgated earlier by the Mughals. The amount of land revenue was calculated on the basis of 50 per cent of the gross produce.