The decline of the mighty Sikh Empire is probably one of the most overlooked parts of Indian history and all the conspiracies and assassinations can give Game of Thrones a run for their money. This is a 3 part thread on the decline.

The Sikh empire was born when Maharaja Ranjeet Singh had united all the Sikh misls into a single entity in 1801. By the time of his death in 1839, the empire stretched across much of north-western Indian including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir regions as well as many Pashtun areas.

Despite being a powerful man and able administrator, Ranjit Singh had not planned for his succession. His eldest son, Kharak Singh(2) was an alcoholic, drug addict, and womanizer. Instead of managing the burdens of the empire himself, he left it to his mentor Chet Singh Bajwa(3).

Chet Singh assumed control of most state affairs sidelining the Dhian Singh.
Who was Dhian Singh? Dhian Singh had been the prime minister of the Sikh Empire since 1818 and was brother to a more famous Gulab Singh. These two along with Suchet Singh were the Dogra brothers.

The Sikhs had invaded and defeated the local Jamwal rulers in 1808 and put these three in charge as they were distantly related to the Royal Jamwal family. Due to their capabilities, they had risen in rank at the Lahore court and now controlled many affairs of the state.

In short Dhian Singh was not a fan of the Chet Singh who was taking his powers from him. So he began spreading rumors about how Chet was selling out the country to the British. Following a period of tension and exchanged threats, the Dogra brothers thought...

that they would be killed and decided to make the first move by murdering Chet in his sleep.
Some Sandhawalia sardars helped them in this.

Following this, they placed Kharak Singh under house arrest in his haveli in the Lahore Fort. His reign had only lasted a few months. Kharak would die a year later of lead and mercury poisoning, likely done by Dhian Singh.

The Dogras then brought in Nau Nehal Singh, son of Kharak Singh to power. Despite being only 18 years old he was a much more capable warrior than his father yet ruled in name only. He had been raised outside court politics and had little power of his own.

Things went like this for a while until in October of 1840 when Kharak Singh died. Nau Nehal Singh along with many nobles was returning from the banks of the Ravi after doing the last rites of his father when a loose block from the Hazuri Bagh gate fell and hit him.

He survived with minor injuries. Only one of his courtiers Udham Singh Dogra had died. Unfortunately, Nau Nehal Singh would be just as dead by evening. Here is the story:

Nau Nehal was still able to walk but it was insisted that he be taken away on a palanquin by Dhian Singh’s artillerymen to his residence which was locked so that even his mother couldn’t visit. Later when his English physician (pictured) cam to inspect him, the king was barely...

breathing and his head had been badly crushed and his bandages had been changed…
Most of the people who had carried his palanquin would soon die mysterious deaths or take leaves from their jobs.

With Ranjit’s son and grandson out of the way, things were as precarious as ever. Who would be the next heir? That would be part 2.

Bonus round: Ranjit Singh is said to have had a special affection for Dhian Singh’s son Hira Singh and Dhian Singh might have wanted him to succeed Ranjit.

Weird question but which one of these, in your opinion, have the best facial hair?