PUNJAUB, THE, which according to its subtitle, is a brief account of the country of the Sikhs, its extent, history, commerce, productions, government, manufactures, laws, religion, etc., was written by Lieut Colonel Henry Steinbach, a European officer in the Khalsa army, and was first published by Smith, Edder, & Co., Cornhill, London, in 1845. It was reprinted by the Languages Department, Punjab, in 1970. The author was an eyewitness, during his seven year stay among the Sikhs (1838-45), to the cataclys mic events which overtook the Punjab following the death of Ranjit Singh
After a sketchy note on the topography of the Punjab and its principal towns and a very brief survey of the rise of the Sikh power, Stein bach straightway proceeds to describing the death and funeral of Ranjit Singh and the subsequent intrigues and murders up to the elimination of Hira Singh and Pandit Jalla and the installation of Jawahar Singh as the minister. He concludes his narration of events with: “the general opinion of the best informed authorities, namely, the European officers lately in the Lahore service, is that tranquility never can be permanently established in the Punjab until under the firm rule of the British goverment, whose interference, it is fully anticipated, will, ere long, become unavoidable.”
This seems to be the leitmotif of Steinbach`s work. He stresses the desirability of annexing Punjab to the British dominions and pleads for decisive action to this end. The book also contains a general survey of the climate, produce, commerce, industry of the Punjab and costumes, manners, customs and religious beliefs of its people. Equally interesting is the author`s detailed description of the government and army of the Punjab and the Sikh court. An appendix, apparently added by the publishers, traces briefly the history of the British connection with Ranjit Singh from 1805 up to the Tripartite treaty of 1838.
In several instances, Stein bach shows both his ignorance of and antipathy towards the people about whom he is writing. As examples of the former he reads the history of the Guru period in terms of a continuing communal clash among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, and describes Harimandar as `a temple of Vishnu, one of the Sikh deities`. However, despite the subjectivity and bias of Stein bach, this short book of 140 pages is a useful contemporary source on a period that witnessed a great turmoil leading Finally to the extinction of the Sikh State.
References :
1. Fauja Singh, ed., Historians and Historiography of the Sikhs. Delhi, 1978
2. Khurana, Gianeshavar, British Historiography on the Sikh Power in the Punjab. Delhi, 1985.
3. Darshan Singh, Western Perspective on the Sikh Religion. Delhi, 1991
The Punjaub: Being a Brief Account of the Country of the Sikhs by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Steinbach:
Summary
The Punjaub is an 1845 work that offers a comprehensive survey of Punjab’s physical, historical, economic, and socio-political landscape during a period of great transition. Written by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Steinbach—an officer who spent several years in the region—this text documents observations drawn from both personal experience and extensive compilation of sources available to him at the time.
Key features include:
Topography and Geography:
Steinbach provides a detailed description of Punjab’s physical environment, including its fertile plains, important rivers, and strategic features. These geographical accounts lay the foundation for understanding the region’s agricultural productivity and its significance as a crossroads of trade and military strategy.
Historical Narrative:
The work traces the evolution of Sikh power in Punjab. After briefly outlining the region’s early history, Steinbach delves into the dramatic events surrounding the rise and eventual decline of the Sikh state. He pays considerable attention to the pivotal period following the death of Ranjit Singh, describing the internal intrigues, power struggles, and the destabilization that ensued among the successors.
Economic, Commercial, and Social Insights:
Steinbach discusses the climate and agricultural produce, as well as the commerce and manufacturing activities prevalent in Punjab at the time. His observations extend to the everyday life of the people, detailing local customs, manners, and the organization of the Sikh court and military. This multifaceted approach paints a picture of a region rich in resources and cultural traditions.
Political Commentary:
Interwoven with factual reportage, Steinbach’s narrative reflects his opinion that lasting stability in Punjab was unlikely without firm external (i.e., British) governance. His commentary anticipates the eventual annexation of Punjab by the British, a perspective that both underscores his orientalist viewpoint and highlights contemporary debates about colonial intervention in the region. Exploration
Colonial Eyewitness Account and Its Value:
Steinbach’s work stands out as a primary source document from a period when Punjab was undergoing rapid political and social change. As a European officer embedded within the Sikh context, his account is invaluable for scholars wishing to understand the dynamics of power, culture, and economics during the twilight of the Sikh state. His detailed description of Punjab’s geography and society offers a snapshot of pre-colonial life that is rare in the historical record.
Orientalist Perspective and Critical Assessment:
While the depth of Steinbach’s observations provides rich historical detail, modern readers must also heed the biases typical of colonial-era writing. His interpretations are colored by the orientalist lens—often simplifying or generalizing complex social phenomena and cultural practices. This dual nature of the text invites readers to compare his findings with indigenous accounts and later scholarly research, thereby offering a more balanced understanding of Punjab’s history.
Impact on Later Historiography:
Despite its dated viewpoints, The Punjaub has influenced subsequent historical and cultural studies of Punjab. Later researchers have used Steinbach’s compiled data—be it on administrative structures, military organization, customs, or economic resources—as a reference point. Its detailed treatment of historical events, particularly the period following Ranjit Singh’s demise, has helped scholars chart the transition from indigenous rule to colonial administration.
Interdisciplinary Insights:
Steinbach’s text is not solely a military or political history; it also touches on everyday life, commerce, and even religious institutions. These interdisciplinary insights allow modern readers to explore Punjab not just as a region of conflict and change, but as a complex society with its own traditions, values, and modes of organization that influenced later developments under British rule.
