The Hill States and the Sikhs

Two distinct phases, and candidates routinely blur them. Phase one is the hill rajas versus the Sikh Gurus in the late 17th century. Phase two is the hill rajas under Ranjit Singh's empire a century later.

Phase 1 — the Gurus (1685–1704)

• Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib, 1685–88, at the invitation of Raja Medini Prakash of Sirmaur.
• Battle of Bhangani, 1688 — the Guru's first battle, against the hill chiefs under Bhim Chand of Kahlur, joined by Fateh Shah of Garhwal. The hill confederacy lost.
• Battle of Nadaun, 1691 — the hill rajas and the Guru fought on the same side against the Mughal commander Alif Khan, and won.
• Anandpur stood on land granted by Kahlur; the quarrel over tribute for it ran through all these events.

Phase 2 — Ranjit Singh (1799–1839)

• 1809, Treaty of Jwalamukhi — Ranjit Singh relieved Sansar Chand, expelled the Gorkhas from Kangra, and took Kangra fort and 66 villages.
• Kangra, Nurpur, Guler, Jaswan, Datarpur, Siba, Kutlehr, Mandi, Suket and Kullu became Sikh tributaries; garrisons and Sikh governors were installed.
• Sikh rule was resented for heavy revenue demands; several rajas were dispossessed outright.
• 1846 Treaty of Lahore — the trans-Sutlej hill territories passed to the British; 1849, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Jaswan, Datarpur and Siba were annexed.