The Sikh Confederacy and the Rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh until the Treaty of Amritsar (1809)

Abstract

The Sikh Confederacy (1716–1799), a decentralized yet cohesive politico-military system, played a pivotal role in establishing Sikh sovereignty in Punjab amidst the decline of the Mughal Empire and Afghan invasions. Central to its success was an innovative administrative structure that balanced regional autonomy with collective governance, rooted in Sikh principles of equality and miri-piri (spiritual-temporal unity). This paper examines the administrative framework of the Sikh Confederacy, focusing on the roles of the Dal Khalsa, Sarbat Khalsa, and misl-based governance, and analyzes how this structure facilitated the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, culminating in his consolidation of power by the Treaty of Amritsar in 1809. Drawing on historical sources, including SikhiWiki and the Sikh Research Institute, the study highlights the Confederacy’s administrative innovations and their impact on Ranjit Singh’s centralized Sikh Empire.