SIKH YUDDHER ITIHAS O MAHARAJA DULEEP SINGH, by Barodakanta Mitra, is a brief narrative in Bengali of the fall of the Sikh kingdom and of the career of the deposed sovereign Duleep Singh. Published in Calcutta in AD 1893, the monograph made use of the official records and other primary sources, besides relying heavily on a number of secondary works such as those of Cunningham, Bell, Smyth and Stein bach. Broadly, the volume can be divided into two sections, the first dealing with the Anglo Sikh wars which, in the opinion of the author, marked the “most decisive event” in the nineteenth century history of India, and the second devoted to the life of Maharaja Duleep Singh.
Mitra attributes the outbreak of hostilities between the British and the Sikhs to the excessive concentration of the military power of the former along the Sutlej and other acts of provocation such as the appointment to the frontier of Major George Broad foot, knewn for his anti Sikh bias. He holds the East India Company responsible for violating the treaty of friendship with the Lahore kingdom. In the description of the battles, he contrasts Lal Singh`s treacherous role at Mudki with the determined heroism of Sham Singh Atarivala at Sabhraon.
The teaty of Bharoval ending the war is considered just, so also the administration of the British Resident at Lahore.The author is however critical of the policy of Lord Dalhousie and blames the British for delaying military intervention against the Multan mutineers. The annexation of the Punjab is described as contravening all norms of political morality. Maharaja Duleep Singh`s life is delineated in considerable detail, drawing upon Lady Login`s account as well as upon contemporary newspapers such as The Englishman, Moscow News and The Times of London. The monograph comes to a close with the Maharaja`s revolt against the British, his political activities in different European capitals and his sorrowful end in a Paris hotel in 1893.
SIKH YUDDHER ITIHAS O MAHARAJA DULEEP SINGH, a brief narrative in Bengali by Barodakanta Mitra that was published in Calcutta in 1893.
SIKH YUDDHER ITIHAS O MAHARAJA DULEEP SINGH presents a dual narrative. The first section of the work is devoted to the Anglo-Sikh wars—events that the author regarded as “the most decisive event” in nineteenth‑century Indian history. This part of the monograph uses official records and various primary sources, along with insights drawn from secondary works by scholars such as Cunningham, Bell, Smyth, and Steinbach, to build a picture of the military conflicts that led to the downfall of the Sikh kingdom. The second section shifts its focus to the life and career of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last sovereign of the Sikh Empire, tracing his journey from his rise to his tumultuous deposition, exile, and eventual tragic end in a Paris hotel.
Structure and Themes
The monograph can broadly be divided into two thematic parts:
Anglo-Sikh Wars:
Mitra discusses the outbreak of hostilities between the British and the Sikh state, attributing the conflict to factors such as the excessive military buildup by the Company forces along the Sutlej and specific provocations—for example, the appointment of Major George Broadfoot, whose actions were seen as particularly anti-Sikh. In his account, Mitra contrasts episodes of betrayal (such as Lal Singh’s actions at Mudki) with heroic resistance exemplified by leaders like Sham Singh Atarivala at Sabhraon. The author also offers a critical perspective on British diplomatic and military policies, notably praising the justness of the Treaty of Bharoval and the conduct of the British Resident at Lahore.
The Life of Maharaja Duleep Singh:
The latter half of the work is dedicated to narrating the personal story of Maharaja Duleep Singh. Drawing on sources that include Lady Login’s accounts and contemporary newspapers (e.g., The Englishman, Moscow News, and The Times), Mitra paints a portrait of a deposed sovereign caught between the legacies of a lost empire and the harsh realities of colonial domination. The narrative recounts Duleep Singh’s early years as the last heir of the Sikh kingdom, his forced submission and exile, and his later political endeavors in Europe that ended in sorrow. Critical Analysis and Scholarly Relevance
Historical Methodology:
Mitra’s work is notable for its reliance on an array of sources—both official records and respected secondary works of the time. This comprehensive source use provides modern researchers with a layered understanding of both the military campaigns against the Sikh state and the complex personal saga of Maharaja Duleep Singh. However, as with many historical narratives of its era, his account reflects the contemporary perspectives of colonial scholarship and the narrative styles common to late 19th‑century Bengali historiography.
Impact on Sikh Historiography:
Despite its brevity, the monograph has held an important place in the study of Sikh military history and in understanding the decline of the Sikh empire. Its detailed portrayal of the Anglo-Sikh wars has helped shape later interpretations of how colonial ambitions and indigenous resistance interplayed in the region. Furthermore, Duleep Singh’s life story, framed within this narrative, has contributed to debates on identity, exile, and the legacy of Sikh sovereignty. Modern historians often compare Mitra’s narrative with indigenous accounts and other scholarly works for a balanced perspective on these transformational events.
Literary and Cultural Value:
Written in Bengali, the work is also an example of how regional language scholarship contributed to preserving and interpreting the history of Punjab. It not only documents the political and military events but also reflects the sentiments of its time regarding the pride, loss, and enduring legacy of the Sikh nation. This cultural nuance adds a layer of complexity to understanding how historical narratives are constructed and the ways in which they resonate with collective memory.
