HISTORY OF THE PUNJAB (and of the Rise, Progress and Present Condition of the Sect and Nation of the Sikhs) is an anonymous work in two volumes ascribed variously to T.H. Thornton (Catalogue of the Sikh Reference Library, Amritsar), H.T. Prinsep (Catalogue of the Khalsa College, Amritsar), and William Murray (Catalogue of Dwarka Dass Library, Chandigarh). Completed on 11 May 1846 and first published in 1846 by Alien and Co., London, and reprinted in 1970 by the Languages Department, Punjab, Patiala, the book is the first detailed history of the Punjab and the Sikhs.
The bulk of the work (chapters VI to XVI) is based on Origin of the Sikh Power in the Punjab by Prinsep who had himself made extensive use of the papers of Murray, whereas the last nine chapters (XVII to XXV) are based on the Ludhiana Agency Records and other contemporary sources. The first volume, comprising eleven chapters, deals with the hydrography of the Punjab (Ch. I), topography of the Punjab and its socioeconomic milieu (Ch. II) and early and medieval history of the Punjab (Chs. III and IV). The author identifies the Sikhs with the ancient tribes of the Scythian Getae and also describes various Sikh sects and institutions such as Udasis, Suthrashahis, Ram Rai, Nirmalas, gurmafa, Akalis, etc.
Sikh history from 1708–91, with special reference to the military exploits of Banda Singh Bahadur, his arrest and execution, invasions of Ahmad Shah Durrani and the establishment of the misls, is dealt with in chapters VII to IX. The remaining two chapters deal with Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s occupation of Lahore and his subsequent conquests. Volume II, comprising chapters XII to XXV and appendices I to VIII, covers the reigns of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors, the first Anglo-Sikh war, submission of the Lahore Darbar and the postwar settlement.
The book echoes the official version of the war favouring the British. About Ranjit Singh, it says: “Humanity, indeed, or rather a tenderness for life, in spite of some acts of harshness, was a trait in the character of Ranjit Singh: There is no instance of his having wantonly imbrued his hands in blood” (pp. 180–81). Further: although totally illiterate, Ranjit Singh could dictate orders on State business with natural intelligence (p. 176); he possessed a sharp intellect and retentive memory, and audited all the revenue accounts (p. 177); his passion for horses amounted almost to insanity; he took great delight in military parades and display; neither a bigot nor unconcerned in matters of religion, he was scrupulous in the performance of the rules of Sikhism (p. 184); a regiment of amazons (nautch girls) of superb beauty entertained him in his hours of relaxation (p. 182); his conduct towards the British was “marked with sagacity” (p. 198).
The book contains a firsthand account of Ranjit Singh’s Auckland meeting at Firozpur (November 1838). In the preparation of this work the author seems to have made use of all the sources in English then available, but none in Punjabi or Persian. The chapters on the rise of Sikhs and their religion, and their institutions are primarily based on Malcolm and the author repeats the errors made by him.
References:
- Darshan Singh, Western Perspective on the Sikh Religion. Delhi, 1991
- Fauja Singh, Historiography of the Sikhs. Delhi, 1978
- Khurana, Gianeshwar, British Historiography on the Sikh Power in Punjab. Delhi, 1985
HISTORY OF THE PUNJAB (and of the Rise, Progress and Present Condition of the Sect and Nation of the Sikhs) is a landmark work in Sikh historiography—the first detailed account of the history of the Punjab and the Sikhs. Though the work is anonymous, it is variously ascribed to figures such as T. H. Thornton, H. T. Prinsep, and William Murray. Here’s an overview of its significance, content, and impact:
Historical Context and Publication
Completion and Early Publication:
Completed on 11 May 1846, the work was first published in 1846 by W. H. Allen in London. A reprint was later issued in 1970 by the Languages Department of Punjab in Patiala, ensuring that the text has remained an accessible resource for scholars of Sikh and Punjabi history.
An Early Comprehensive History:
As the first detailed history of the Punjab and the Sikh nation, this work was groundbreaking. It synthesized a variety of contemporary English sources—while notably excluding sources in Punjabi or Persian—to create a narrative that has shaped subsequent understandings of Sikh historical development.
Structure and Content
TwoVolume Organization:
The work is divided into two volumes.
Volume I:
The first volume is organized into eleven chapters. It begins with chapters on the hydrography of the Punjab (Chapter I) and its topography and socioeconomic milieu (Chapter II). Early and medieval history of the region are discussed in Chapters III and IV. The author then moves on to trace the history of the Sikhs:
Chapters VI to XVI: These chapters delve into the origin and rise of Sikh power based largely on H. T. Prinsep’s work, which itself was informed by the papers of William Murray.
Chapters XVII to XXV: These chapters continue by describing later events—dealing with important military campaigns and the evolution of Sikh institutions.
Volume II:
This volume comprises chapters XII to XXV along with appendices I to VIII. It covers the reigns of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors, the events of the first AngloSikh war, the submission of the Lahore Darbar, and the subsequent postwar settlement.
Content Themes:
The text not only documents geographical and sociopolitical features of the Punjab but also provides keen insights into Sikh history from 1708 onward. Special attention is given to:
The military exploits and tragic fate of Banda Singh Bahadur.
Major invasions, including those led by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
The rise of Sikh misls (confederacies) and their eventual consolidation into a unified state under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
It also contains firsthand account details—such as Ranjit Singh’s meeting in Firozpur (November 1838)—which lend authenticity to its narrative.
Interpretation and Legacy
British Perspective and Errors:
The book reflects a view that tends to sympathize with the British version of events in the later history of the Punjab. For instance, its portrayal of Ranjit Singh highlights qualities like natural intelligence, scrupulous adherence to Sikh principles, and a nonbloodthirsty nature, although some aspects (like his fondness for horses and military parades) are depicted with added dramatic flair. Moreover, when discussing the rise of Sikh power and the origins of the Sikh state, the work heavily relies on the compilations and interpretations of earlier historians like Malcolm, sometimes repeating their errors.
Historical Impact:
By framing Sikh history within the broader context of Punjabi geography, political change, and cultural evolution, the work has played a crucial role in the shaping of modern Sikh identity. Its detailed narrative provided a foundation upon which later historiography was built and remains a key reference point for scholars studying the past of the Sikh people.
Concluding Remarks
HISTORY OF THE PUNJAB (and of the Rise, Progress and Present Condition of the Sect and Nation of the Sikhs) stands as a seminal historical document that captures the dynamic story of the Punjab—from its physical landscape to the dramatic rise and transformation of the Sikh nation. It not only informs readers about the military and political milestones but also reflects on the cultural milieu that shaped the Sikh ideology and communal identity through centuries of change.
