The Second Anglo-Sikh War

From revolt to annexation

The Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848–49 followed the establishment of a British Resident at Lahore. The National Army Museum connects the outbreak to violence at Multan and spreading rebellion. British-Indian forces fought Sikh forces across Punjab; the British annexed the Lahore kingdom in March 1849 and deposed Maharaja Duleep Singh.[5]

News and mobilisation

Herbert Edwardes’s narrative connects news with a decision to mobilise. On 22 April 1848, at Dera Futteh Khan, he received a copy of Vans Agnew’s letter describing the attack at Multan three days earlier, in which Agnew and Anderson were wounded. Edwardes then organised boats and proposed a relief march. His reply set out an intended timetable; the narrative says it never reached the two officers. The passage records received information and Edwardes’s response, including his later explanation of his decision to intervene.[1]

Gujrat and pursuit

Gough’s report of 26 February 1849 describes the battle fought at Gujrat on 21 February. He emphasises artillery fire followed by advancing infantry and the capture of positions. Gilbert was directed towards Jhelum in pursuit, while other forces watched alternative routes. This is the commander’s account of his plan and its execution, written after victory; its claims about superiority and enemy strength require attribution rather than automatic acceptance.[2]

A further despatch, written by Dalhousie on 24 March, reports the surrender at Rawalpindi on 14 March. It nevertheless states that the war remained unfinished while Afghan forces were still to be driven from Peshawar. Within this dated report, surrender and completion of operations are separate stages. Its military chronology should be kept distinct from the subsequent political settlement.[3]

Papers during war

Meanwhile, on 27 February, George Thompson asked the Commons for papers explaining the conflict. The minister Hobhouse resisted immediate full production on public-interest grounds and defended the Indian government’s conduct. Bernal Osborne raised a particular Thackwell despatch; Hobhouse was uncertain whether it had reached the home authorities and promised inquiry. Thompson withdrew his motion. The exchange captures a bounded disagreement over information during hostilities, with no guarantee that the uncertainty persisted afterwards.[4]