1845 — 1849
The Wars They Tried to Forget
Two wars. Two decades of betrayal, bravery, and the fall of an empire. The Anglo-Sikh Wars are among the most consequential — and most overlooked — conflicts in the history of the Indian subcontinent.
The Untold History
A Reckoning Long Overdue
For too long, the Anglo-Sikh Wars have been filtered through a colonial lens — reduced to footnotes in British imperial history, their true scale and significance obscured. This is the story of the Khalsa, the Sikh army, and the Sikh Empire — one of the most formidable military forces of the 19th century — and how it was brought down not only by British arms, but by treachery from within.
Khalsacrimsonday exists to restore the record. To name the battles, honour the fallen, and ensure that the courage of those who fought is never again forgotten.
“The Khalsa army was considered by many European observers to be among the finest fighting forces in Asia.”
Contemporary military accounts, 1845
Two Conflicts, One Legacy
The Anglo-Sikh Wars
December 1845 — March 1846
The First Anglo-Sikh War
Triggered by the crossing of the Sutlej River, the First Anglo-Sikh War saw the Khalsa army engage the British East India Company in a series of fierce battles — Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon. Despite fighting with extraordinary valour, the Sikh forces were undermined by treachery at the highest levels of command.
Explore the First WarApril 1848 — March 1849
The Second Anglo-Sikh War
Sparked by uprisings at Multan and Hazara, the Second Anglo-Sikh War culminated in the Battle of Gujrat and the complete annexation of the Punjab. The Sikh Empire — one of the last independent kingdoms of the subcontinent — ceased to exist. The Koh-i-Noor diamond was seized and sent to Queen Victoria.
Explore the Second War
Those Who Stood
Key Figures of the Wars
Commander at Sobraon
Sham Singh Attariwala
Refused to retreat at the Battle of Sobraon, fighting to the last. His death became a symbol of Sikh martial honour.
Commander-in-Chief of the Khalsa
Hari Singh Nalwa
The most feared general of the Sikh Empire, whose military genius expanded the Punjab to its greatest extent.
The Last Maharaja
Maharaja Duleep Singh
Deposed at age ten following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, he was separated from his mother and his kingdom — a child robbed of his inheritance.
Discover the Full History
Explore the battles, the commanders, the maps, and the archives. The full story of the Anglo-Sikh Wars — told with the honesty and depth it deserves.