Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s 241st birth anniversary celebrated at MRSPTU
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda commemorated the 241st birth anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with zeal and enthusiasm by organising a function here on Monday.
MRSPTU, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu led the faculty and staff of the university in paying rich floral tributes to the great Sikh emperor.
While speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sidhu spoke about the ideals of great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh and presented a brief history of the leader of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) on November 13, 1780, and died on June 27, 1839, in Lahore. He is also known as the ‘Sher-E-Punjab’ (Lion of the Punjab)’.
Prof. Sidhu also presented his views on the contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a unifying and most dynamic leader of Indian history, who played a pivotal role in promotion of education, social reforms, nation building and his iron hand rule in that era.
Key speaker on the occasion, Prof. Sukhdayal Singh, former head, Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala delivered a very impressive speech on Life and Teachings of Sher-E-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, historical facts related to his life and kingdom.
Prof. Sukhdayal Singh narrated various historical facts regarding the era of Nadir Shah and his ransacking of Delhi in 1739 and his successor Ahmed Shah Abdali aka Durrani, who raided Punjab many times in a span of 17 years between 1748 and 1767. He plundered and looted the region mercilessly. There had been invasions before, but Abdali’s persistent attacks were the most devastating, he added.
In the next decades, the center of power changed with the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). Describing Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a visionary war strategist, he said in July 1799 – he was still an 18 year-old – Ranjit Singh led his men to a remarkable victory, capturing the city of Lahore, which was then under Afghan rule. By 1801, he had declared himself as the Maharaja of Punjab. The empire grew, and at its greatest stretched from the Khyber Pass to the Sutlej River and from the Valley of Kashmir to the Thar Desert. He also detailed how the British got control of Punjab due to treachery from within the Khalsa Army.
He further said Punjab was then an independent country — flourished after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (in 1839). The Anglo-Sikh wars (fought post-Ranjit Singh’s death) defined the course of history of Punjab, enabling the British Empire to embed itself in India for the next 98 years. He also gave brief details on famous battles— Ferozeshah, Muddaki and Sobraon etc.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s 241st birth anniversary celebrated at MRSPTU. The programme was organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare under the guidance of Director, Prof. Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot.
Registrar, Dr. Gurinder Pal Singh Brar presented a vote of thanks. Prof. Sunita Kotwal anchored the stage very well, senior faculty, Deans and Directors of the University graced the occasion.
November 15,2021
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