The Partition of the Punjab 1849-1947

The kingdom of Punjab founded by Maharaja Ranjit Singh was short lived and passed into the hands of the British within a decade of his death in June 1839. The Partition of the Punjab, treats the history of Punjab from 1849 to 1947. Important events which changed the history of India and the effect these events had on Punjab are dealt with in detail. During the upheaval of 1857, Punjab stood solidly behind the British and enabled them to recapture Delhi. The century of British rule in Punjab brought peace and prosperity to its people. This in turn brought a change in the religious attitude of its people leading to the founding of the Arya Samaj. During the freedom struggle Punjab gave Lala Lajpat Rai and a host of others who gladly sacrificed all they had for a united India. April 13 is an unforgettable date for the people of Punjab; for it was on that day in 1919 that General Dyer ordered the massacre of people, who had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, to protest against the deportation Dr. Kitchlaw. All these and many more incidents are described in vivid detail. A chapter on the aftermath of partition is also added. This book will be of great help to those interested in the history of freedom movement and to others who want to know the complete history of Punjab during the century before partition.