The Second Anglo-Sikh War ended the Sikh Empire and led to British annexation of the Punjab, consolidating East India Company control over the Indian subcontinent.
Key Facts
- War duration
- 1848 to 1849
- Battle of Chillianwala
- 13 January 1849
- Fall of Multan
- 22 January 1849 (General Whish)
- Decisive victory at Gujrat
- 21 February 1849
- Sikh army surrendered at
- Rawalpindi
- Trigger event
- Murder of Vans Agnew and Anderson, 19 April 1848
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 19 April 1848, two British officers — Patrick Vans Agnew and Lieutenant William Anderson — were murdered at Multan after being sent to take charge from Diwan Mulraj Chopra. Sikh troops subsequently joined in open rebellion, prompting Governor-General Lord Dalhousie and commander-in-chief Sir Hugh Gough to prepare a full military campaign to suppress the uprising and subjugate the Punjab.
The East India Company launched a sustained military campaign from late 1848, fighting engagements at Ramnagar, Chillianwala, and the siege of Multan. After General Whish captured Multan on 22 January 1849, his forces joined Gough's army, which then decisively defeated the Sikh forces at the Battle of Gujrat on 21 February 1849. The Sikh army retreated to Rawalpindi and laid down its arms, while Afghan allies withdrew from the region.
Following the victory at Gujrat, Lord Dalhousie annexed the Punjab and subsequently the North-West Frontier Province for the East India Company in 1849, extinguishing the Sikh Empire. Dalhousie received the thanks of the British Parliament and was elevated to the rank of Marquess in recognition of his role in the conquest.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lord Dalhousie (Governor-General), Sir Hugh Gough (Commander-in-Chief), General Whish, Herbert Edwardes.
Side B
2 belligerents
Diwan Mulraj Chopra.