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November 13: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Birthday

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Secular Polity Is His Most Important Legacy

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New Delhi | Wednesday | 13 November 2024

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the revered King of Punjab, is often compared to legendary rulers like Akbar the Great. Born in 1780 and ruling until 1839, Ranjit Singh was an expert in both the art of war and administration, showing prowess comparable to that of the ancient strategist Kautilya. However, his most significant legacy is perhaps his commitment to religious unity and respect for all faiths, an approach that has earned him enduring admiration.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh believed in equality across religions, showing immense respect for Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike. One notable incident that highlights his secular values involved the holy Quran. A seller from Lahore carried a copy of the Quran, attempting to sell it for the substantial sum of one lakh rupees. After failing to sell it in other cities like Rampur, Lucknow, and Hyderabad, he traveled to Lahore, hoping that Maharaja Ranjit Singh, known for his secularism, would purchase it. When the seller presented the Quran in court, Ranjit Singh stood up in honor of the holy book and purchased it for the asking price. When asked why he paid such a large sum for a book outside his own religious tradition, Ranjit Singh replied that God had instructed him to respect all religions equally. This story illustrates the depth of his commitment to fostering harmony and respect across diverse religious communities.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh's court was a blend of various faiths, with Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs holding equal status. His commitment to religious unity extended into his personal life as well, as he married women from different faiths, including Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. Gul Begum, one of his Muslim wives, constructed a mosque in Lahore, which stands as a testament to this unity. The Maharaja also practiced inclusivity in his daily worship; he listened to recitations from both Hindu texts and the Sikh Granth Sahib. His patronage extended to various religious projects, including the construction of the Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra. He also sought to retrieve the gates of the Somnath Temple, which had been taken by Mahmud of Ghazni centuries earlier. Before his death, Ranjit Singh ordered the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond to be donated to the Hari Mandir in Amritsar, underscoring his reverence for his faith and his desire to honor it through his personal treasures.

 

Article at a Glance

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the King of Punjab, is often compared to Akbar the Great. He was a skilled warrior, administrator, and diplomat who promoted religious unity.

He respected all religions equally and purchased a Quran for Rs. one lakh, saying "God has directed me to look at all religions with one eye." He also ensured that Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims had equal status in his court.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a just ruler, loved by his people. He was kind-hearted, liberal, and respectful of intelligence. He dispensed justice fairly, helped the poor, and was merciful even to those who erred.

His magnanimity and sense of humor are evident in several anecdotes, showcasing his greatness as a leader.

 

As a ruler, Ranjit Singh was celebrated for his love of justice. Known for addressing grievances with fairness, he placed locked boxes at each of the eight city gates where people could submit petitions. One unique instance demonstrates his sense of compassion and equity. One day, while traveling with his soldiers, a stone unexpectedly struck him on the head. The stone thrower was found to be an elderly woman, who explained tearfully that she had thrown the stone in an attempt to knock down fruit from a tree, desperate to feed her starving son. Instead of punishing her, the Maharaja instructed his commander to provide her with some coins. When the commander expressed surprise at this leniency, Ranjit Singh replied, “When hit by a stone, even a lifeless tree yields sweet fruit. How can I, being alive, send her away empty-handed?” This act showed his belief that justice should be tempered with mercy.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh also displayed strong social values, particularly in times of hardship. During a famine, he ensured that ration shops were opened to the public and personally monitored their fair distribution. On one occasion, he noticed an elderly man struggling to carry his rations. The Maharaja himself assisted the man, carrying the sack to his house. When the elderly man realized that it was the Maharaja who had helped him, he was struck with awe and gratitude. Ranjit Singh reassured him, stating that he performed these acts to stay connected with his people and understand their struggles firsthand.

Despite being formidable in battle, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was known for his kindness in everyday life. He imposed restrictions on certain forms of hunting, forbidding the use of dogs to capture rabbits, as he considered it cruel. Similarly, he opposed hunting tigers from a distance with guns, considering it cowardly. His compassion also extended to children, and he showed great leniency towards his subjects. Even in newly conquered regions, he refrained from imposing the death penalty, believing that mercy was an essential part of governance.

His kindness was also evident in another story. A betel leaf seller once stopped the Maharaja's elephant in Lahore’s bazaar and began jokingly referring to it as a “bull.” The next morning, the man was brought before the Maharaja, where he humbly apologized and offered the Maharaja a carefully prepared betel leaf. Amused by the man's wit and humility, Ranjit Singh forgave him, showing a willingness to laugh at harmless humor.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh appreciated intelligence as well. During the marriage of his 16-year-old grandson Nau Nihal Singh, he demonstrated this in a unique way. At the event, every poor person was given a five-rupee gift. A man with a clay pot approached the Maharaja, claiming he had brought his “family” to receive gifts. When Ranjit Singh asked where his family was, the man lifted the pot, revealing it to be full of ants, humorously implying each ant as a family member. Thrilled by the man’s wit, Ranjit Singh rewarded him generously, allowing him to fill his pot with coins.

In these and many other instances, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s leadership shone through with a rare combination of strength, kindness, and intelligence. He was a visionary who embraced all faiths, promoted justice, and extended kindness to all. His legacy as a benevolent and just ruler lives on in stories passed down through generations, portraying a king who ruled with a generous heart and an open mind.

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