INTRODUCTION
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's name is counted among best rulers of India who founded sikh rule in Punjab and is known as 'Sher E Punjab'. He is remembered for his meritorious services for the goodwill of his citizens. He was generous in nature and brave.
CIVIL ADMINISTRATION:
- CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION
- MAHARAJA : Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a brave, generous warrior who established sikh rule in Punjab. He was the head of government with vast and unlimited powers. He was the highest authority of justice and commander in chief in the army and had power to appoint any person at any post.
- COUNCILS : He appointed numbers of ministers such as
- PRIME MINISTER : Raja Dhyan Singh
- FOREIGN MINISTER : Faqir Aziz ud din
- FINANCE MINISTER : Diwan Bhawani Das, Ganga Ram and Dinanath .
- WAR MINISTER : Diwan Mohkam Chand, Misra Diwan Chand and Hari Singh Nalwa.
- SARDAR I DEORHI : Kushal Singh.
- CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS :
- Daftar i Abwab ul Mal
- Daftar i Roznamcha
- Daftar i Taujihat
- Daftar i Mawajib
- JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION :
- Village panchayat was the lowest court.
- Kardar was the next higher court at district level.
- Nazim was the next higher court at provincial headquarters.
- Adalaj Ala at Lahore was the next higher court.
- Final court of approach was the court of Ranjit Singh.
- PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION:
- PROVINCES : four provinces were divided and each was headed by Nazim.
- DISTRICT : these were subdivisions of provinces and were placed under Kardar.
- MAUZAS : districts were divided into villages or mauzas, which were administered under panchayat.
- FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION :
- LAND REVENUE : No systematic system of land revenue was there; it varied from place to place. Batai system in some places and kankut system in other places. In some parts it was collected on the basis of Bigha Basis or Plough basis.
- COLLECTION OF REVENUE : kardar in district was chief collector of revenue who collects revenue from Patwaris, Chaudhary, Muqaddams.
- OTHER TAXES :
- Jagirs
- Monopolies
- Mobran
- Abwabs
MILITARY ADMINISTRATION :
- DEFECTS IN ARMY :
- Lack of discipline
- No permanent salary to misaldar
- Neglect to infantry
- No modern equipment and technologies
- ORGANIZATION OF ARMY :
- Reorganisation of the khalsa army which was based on the European model. Proper training was given to brave soldiers of the khalsa army.
- Under French federal Ventura he reorganised his infantry.
- He took steps to build heavy Artillery and organised cavalry on the European line. He fixed monthly salaries for soldiers and adopted drill and discipline methods.
- NEW ARMY OF RANJIT SINGH :
- FAUJ I KHAS : it consisted of infantry , cavalry and army and was raised and trained under General Ventura and General Allard.
- FAUJ I AIN : it consists of
- INFANTRY
- CAVALRY
- ARTILLERY : It was further divided into
- TOPKHANA I ASPI
- TOPKHANA I JINSI
- TOPKHANA I SUTRI
- TOPKHANA I FILING
- FAUJ I BEQAWAID : it consists of irregular army :
- MISALDARS
- THE AKALIS
- GHOR SALARY KHAS
- JAGIRDARI CAVALRY
CONCLUSION :
From the above discussion the clear indication of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's administration can be understood. He was a great ruler and established sikh rule in Punjab with strong governance and administration. He reorganised and trained his army and reformed his military. He built strong Sikh empire.
BOOK REFERENCE ( CLICK TO BUY )
The Sikhs of the Punjab: 03 (The New Cambridge History of India)