Foreword To The Book 'Maharaja Ranjit Singh - The State and Society' By Indu Banga & J S Grewal

The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most glorious epoch in the history of the Punjab. He created a state of the dimension of an empire and ensured the participation of all segments of society. He was truly 'the Maharaja' for all peoples of the Punjab.

The best way a University can pay homage to this great son of the land is to encourage research on him. Guru Nanak Dev University has brought a number of publications related to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his times. The contributions in this volume study the Maharaja and the state and society under him in the light of the available evidence. I am grateful to Professor J.S. Grewal and Professor Indu Banga for producing this volume with great care.

Guru Nanak Dev University                                                                                             S.P.Singh
Amritsar                                                                                                                Vice-Chancellor

Preface To The Book 'Maharaja Ranjit Singh - The State and Society'  By Indu Banga & J S Grewal

The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most glorious epoch in the history of the Punjab. He created a state of the dimension of an empire, involving all segments of the Punjabi society. Nowhere in history a state of this size had been created with so little bloodshed. It was also the last sovereign state of India before Independence. The decision of Guru Nanak Dev University to commemorate the Maharaja through this publication is a befitting tribute to his achievement.

The twenty-one contributions to this volume are revised versions of essays published by Guru Nanak Dev University in the 1980s. They bring out the processes of conquest and consolidation, diplomatic relations, ad­ministrative organization and functioning, patronage of religion and art, economic life and urbanization, agrarian society and social mobility under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. About a fourth of the essays analyse some of the major sources and literary works of his reign and two reflect on its historiography. Altogether, they provide a rather rich and full view of the Maharaja and his times. We are thankful to the contributors most of whom, except Professor B.N. Goswamy, Professor Gianeshwar Khurana and the late Professor Fauja Singh, have been associated with Guru Nanak Dev University.

In the preparation of this volume we have received help from several colleagues and researchers, notably Professor Radha Sharma, Dr Harish Sharma, Dr. Reeta Grewal, Dr Veena Sachdeva, and Ms Kuldeep Grewal. Ms Sheena Pall has prepared the Glossary and the Bibliography, and as­sisted with proof-reading. We are happy to acknowledge their contribu­tion. The manuscript was prepared with great care by M/s Gulshan Graph-ics, Chandigarh. The quality of its production was ensured by Mr J.S. Walia, Director Publications. We are thankful to them.

The book could be brought out in this form and in such a short time only because of the enlightened interest of Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancel­lor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Chandigarh                                                                        Editors

Table of Contents Of The Book 'Maharaja Ranjit Singh - The State and Society' By Indu Banga & J S Grewal