Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Place: Gujranwala

Born: 1780

Death: 1839

Biography:

Maharaja Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839), also known as Sher-e-Punjab or 'Lion of Punjab', was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He was born in Gujranwala, Pakistan, and lost sight in his left eye due to smallpox as an infant. He fought his first battle at the age of 10 and became the Maharaja of Punjab at 21. Under his leadership, the Sikh Empire expanded significantly, absorbing and uniting the Sikh misls and taking over other local kingdoms. He repeatedly defeated invasions from Afghanistan and established friendly relations with the British. Ranjit Singh's reign was marked by reforms, modernization, infrastructure development, and general prosperity. He died in 1839, and his empire was succeeded by his son, Kharak Singh.