The story of the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from merely a  Prince of Sukerchakia Misl to being the Maharaja of the flourishing Sikh Empire is quite fascinating and inspiring at the same time.

After the demise of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his follower Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the Sikhs failed to organize themselves into a considerable force. The strength, determination and valor of warriors was always there with the Sikhs, but what was majorly missing was a strong centralized leadership. 

Gradually, the Sikhs organized themselves into 12 misls to organize the Sikhs into a confederacy and collectively defend themselves against any foreign attack. 

Of the 12 misls, Bhangi and Sukerchakia misls were the dominant. In comparison to Sukerchakia Misl, Bhangi Misl was more powerful and dominant and controlled Lahore- the historic and cultural capital of Punjab.

But when Maharaja Ranjit Singh ascended the throne at the age of 12 with one dysfunctional eye ( he lost his vision due to fever and smallpox), his unmatched vision, strategic planning , military acumen and leadership skills helped him not only to defeat the Bhangi leaders, but also bring the Sikhs into a single umbrella and consolidate the Sikh Empire. 

How Maharaja Ranjit Singh Captured Lahore??

Capture of Lahore by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji is a mix of tactics , planning and  unmatched determination.

Lahore was occupied by three Bhangi sardars- Chet Singh, Sahib Singh & Mohar Singh. Understanding the internal disunity and crack in their upfront, Ranjit Singh avoided a direct confrontation and used a mix of diplomacy and force. He entered the city with his troops on the pretext of protecting it and gradually subdued the Bhangi leaders. The Bhangi sardars fled away without putting up much of a fight. Once inside the city, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji consolidated his position. 

Becoming the Maharaja.

Having consolidated his position as the sole leader of Punjab and the flourishing Sikh Empire, he formally declared as the ‘Maharaj’ of Punjab on 12 April 1801. 

The grand coronation as Maharaja marked the beginning of the Sikh Empire and its golden period in terms of history and culture.
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Conclusion

The defeat of Bhangi Misl and the rise of the young Ranjit Singh to the central political landscape of Punjab was a turning point and laid the foundations of the Sikh Empire. 

Not only he provided stability, prosperity and golden age of culture, he was the one who brought the scattered and fractured misls into a strong and enduring Empire.