Sikh Misls
What were the Sikh Misls?
Independent Sikh groups or small kingdoms in Punjab.
What disease did young Ranjit Singh survive that left him blind in one eye and marks on his face?
Smallpox
What title is Maharaja Ranjit Singh often given?
“Sher-e-Punjab” (Lion of Punjab).
Who was Hari Singh Nalwa?
A famous general of the Sikh Empire.
What was the name of Ranjit Singh’s wife who was married to him in his early years and connected to the Kanhaiya Misl?
Maharani Mehtab Kaur.
How many main Sikh Misls were there?
Twelve-12
At about what age did Ranjit Singh fight his first battle?
Around 10 years old.
What city became the capital of his empire?
Lahore.
Which fierce group did he help defend the empire against?
The Afghans
What is the name of Ranjit Singh's influential Mother in Law?
Sada Kaur
What was the purpose of the Sikh Misls?
To protect Sikh people and rule their own territories.
What important city did he capture at age 19? hint: the residents asked him to come
Lahore.
What is some imagery on his coins?
Nothing in his image-Sikh Gurus, language
What frontier area did he successfully control, making the empire safer?
The North-West Frontier (including Peshawar)
Which wife of Ranjit Singh was known for her strength and political influence and was the mother of Duleep Singh?
Maharani Jind Kaur
Which misl was Maharaja Ranjit Singh born into?
The Sukerchakia Misl.
What quality made young Ranjit Singh popular with the people?
His bravery and fairness.
What kind of army did he create?
A modern, well-trained army with European officers.
What was he known for that scared enemies?
His bravery and powerful battlefield skills. Ripping lion jaw with bare hands
Who was Maharani Mohra (Mohar) Kaur?
She was a young dancing girl of a different faith. He issued coins in her honor
Why did the Misls sometimes struggle to stay united?
Because they had different leaders and sometimes competed for power.
What event in his childhood helped shape him into a strong leader?
Growing up during a time of constant battles and learning leadership early. Death of his father-family history of bravery
What key reason made his empire strong and peaceful?
He united the Sikh Misls and promoted fairness among all religions.
Why was Hari Singh Nalwa important to the empire?
He protected Punjab from invasions and expanded the empire’s borders.
Why did having many queens create problems for the Sikh Empire after Ranjit Singh’s death?
Because different queens supported different sons, leading to rivalry and infighting.