During the period of time between 1801 and 1839, the Sikhs actually controlled the Punjab, and were in a position of power. This is the mini biography of the man who made it all : Ranjit Singh.

Ranjit Singh was born on the 13th of November, 1780. When he was nine years old, his father died, and he became chief of the misl of Sukerchakia.

His ancestors had had impressive lives, too. His great-grandfather, Budh Singh, was a legend while he lived. He was a huge man and a fighter. His body had over 30 bullet and sword wounds on it. He and his horse, Desan, had swum each of the Punjab’s five rivers in flood. His deeds are now a part of the Punjab’s folklore.

The grandfather of Ranjit Singh, Charat Singh, had founded the misl of which Ranjat became chief of Charat Singh was a great military campaigner and had brought many towns and territories under his control, including Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Pind Dadan Khan, Dham, Pothohar, Rohtas, Jhelum, Sialkot, Adhmadabad and the salt mining industry of Kheora. Within under fifteen years everywhere between Thelum and the Indus river was under Charat Singh’s control and that of the Bhangi misl, though the Bhangis were kicked out soon.

When Charat died, his son, Rhanj it’s father, Mahan Singh became misl chief He was a great warrior and general.

Ranjit was never educated. He loved to ride, and from his childhood he would ride for whole days. He kept his skill at riding into adulthood. He had a full professional training in swordplay and musket use. He was fearless. He conducted many campaigns in attempts to unite the misls. He quickly became ruler of Lahore. The Banghi misl, who had allied with his grandfather, attempted to destroy his court at Lahore, but were crushed in battle. At this point the empire of Ranjit Singh was no more than a distant dream, but it was soon to come true. See The Sikh Empire 2 for details!