Preface To 'The Life Story Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh' By Surinder Singh Johar

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was one of the great Indian rulers. He enjoying an important place in the history of our country. In fact, he has an exclusive place in the history of Punjab. He was the only independent ruler of the land for the last many centuries. His greatness cannot be questioned by any of his rivals. He was a soldier par excellence, an unmatchable commander and a great leader. No doubt, he was illiterate, commander and a great leader.

Ranjit Singh was the founding father of secularism in the country. He was a benign ruler and always cared for the irrespective of their caste or creed. He tried poor and the down-trodden and gave them ace in society.

It is but natural that many legends grew around the A vast mass of legendary literature depicting Maharaja's personality and character had even grown up in his lifetime. However, the Iiterature on the life and times of Singh is very hazy, contradictory and very often repetitive, with the result that his clear image does not emerge out of it, I have tried, therefore, in all my earnestness a dispassionate analysis of his personality. An effort has also been made to clear mist which hangs over this great man.

"He was a born ruler", says Lepel Griffin, ''with the genius of command. Men obeyed him by instinct and they had no power to disobey. The control which he exercised even in the closing years of his life, over the whole sikh people, nobles, priests and people, was the measure of his greatness.