Coronation of Ranjit Singh as Sarkar-i-Wala.
Ranjit Singh's was proclaimed ruler by Baba Sahib Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak. At the coronation ceremony Sardar Ranjit Singh assumed the title Sarkar-i-Wala. Although the ceremony was conducted in accordance with the ancient ceremony of Hindu monarchy, "abhisekha," he never sat on a throne in respect to the concept of Sikh sovereignty, for sovereignty belonged only to Guru Khalsa Panth and not any individual. He asked all non-Sikhs to address him as Maharaja and all Sikhs as Singh Sahib. He struck "NanakShahi" Silver Rupee coins, symbolising sovereignty the same year. The legend "Deg Tegh Fateh" of 1765 on Lahore mint Rupees was changed to the legend that existed on Amritsar coins of 1775 and coins of Banda Bahadhur of 1710. Ranjit Singh adopted the same couplet and exactly in the same form as it appeared on 1784 Amritsar coins, without any modifications.
-Ref. Parasaraprasna, by Sirdar Kapur Singh, pp. 237 onwards "Chronogical Data on Sikh History (1469-1850 A.D.) with Special Refernce to Sikh Coinage," by Surinder Singh, Panjab Research Bulletin (Arts), Vol. XXII, No. 2, Oct. 1991
According to British history, Maharaja's title is "Sher-e-Punjab", the Lion of Punjab. His court was always filled with able generals. He built an extremely loyal and powerful force. He was a humble person. When the Granthis of Delhi Gurudwara visited his court in Lahore, he used his beard to wipe their feet. Further when he was declared Tankhaia by Akali Phulla Singh, he prompted presented his bare back for the declared punishment.
More than his own popularity, Maharaja Ranjit Singh worked for the propagation of Vaaheguru's name. He constructed the fort GobindGadh in Amritsar, named after Guru Gobind Singh Patshah. He established a beautiful garden named after Satguru Ram Dass Ji Patshah.
Ranjit Singh never forgot to humor the democratic feeling, or rather, the theocratic feeling of the Sikhs. He professed to rule "by the grace of God". He issued coins in the name of Guru Nanak with the encryptions
"Akal Purakh Ji Sahayae
Daego Taego Fateh Nusrat Baedrang
Yahaftaj Nanak Guru Gobind".
Maharaja Ranjit was also popular for his charity. From the information gathered by Col. Lawrence from his counsellors, Maharaja Ranjit Singh spent 12,00,000 rupees annually on charity apart from his generous distribution of gifts and jagirs.
Maharaja's forces were made of 92,000 foot soldiers, 31,800 horseback soldiers and 784 big guns. In addition to brave generals like Sardar Sham Singh Attari, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, Sardar GossKhan, Phulla Singh Akali, and Diwan MohakamChand, there were several American, British, European, French, Italian, and Russian officers. The total annual revenue of the kingdom was 32475000 rupees.
Maharaja Ranjit's other sons, Tara Singh, Sultan Singh, Kashmir Singh and Peshaura Singh were never popular.
-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 1019-1020)
For conventional biographies refer to :-
Lepel H. Griffin, Ranjit Singh (1892);
N.K. Sinha, Ranjit Singh (1933); and
Khushwant Singh, Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Punjab (1962).
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