Emperor of the five rivers - Mohamed Sheikh

In 1801, at the age of just 20 years old, Ranjit Singh became the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and subsequently emerged as one of the greatest figures in the history of the Punjab. Despite the difficult conditions he faced, including harsh terrain, a mixed ethnic population and surrounding aggressors (particularly the British in India), Ranjit Singh managed to unite the various Sikh factions and built a nation that neighbours soon learnt to treat with respect. Following his death in 1839, the empire fell into gradual decline and in 1845, just six years after Ranjit Singh's death, the Sikhs were defeated in battle by the British and fell under the influence of the East India Company. It was Ranjit Singh's leadership skills and personal characteristics which kept the Sikh empire strong and united in the face of adversity. Unusually for the time, the empire that Singh led was secular and he sought to promote inter-faith unity through policies of equality and non-discrimination. This new biography sheds new light on this important figure in Sikh history. Mohamed Sheikh's accessible account of Ranjit Singh's life illustrates the extraordinary leadership qualities, military prowess and political skills which ensured his success as a leader in challenging circumstances.