ISRC 2023
University of Warwick
Sunday 17th September
Revisiting the Sikh Misls
At this conference in 2029, i set about the looking at the Sikh Misls-the so called Sikh confederacy which fought for survival of the Sikh faith in the eighteenth century. The system of persecution under the Mughal and Afghan regimes reached their zenith during the Choota Ghallughara of 1746 (lesser holocaust) and the Vadhha Ghallughara of 1762 (larger holocaust). This paper looks at new material which the author has unearthed since the original lecture. Consideration has been given in the politically shifting nature of the Sikh Misls and their impact on the Northern India as opposed to just the Punjab. The relationship with other groups like the Rajputs, the Marathas and the Rohillas shows the Sikh Misls impact and dominance across the region. More importantly the paper will focus on shifting fact from fiction which has come through traditional narratives and how we navigate this is a scholarly fashion. This includes revisiting famous events like the martyrdom of Baba Deep Singh, Gurbakhsh Singh of the Shaheedi Misl and the conquest of Delhi under Baba Baghel Singh (Karorasinghia Misl). The governance of the Misl is also considered and how they effectively they created a system of taxation/tribute known as Rakhi and Kambali using the Maratha system of Chauth and Sirdesmukhi.
Using the Akal Takht at the heart of the Misl system the Sikhs were able to turn persecution into governance with the striking of coins and having Vakils at the Mughal Court. This was important step in making diplomatic ties with various actors including the East India Company. The paper will also consider the titles that were given to the Misl leaders again challenging the presently held views together with a consideration of the territories that the Misls coveted in the eighteenth century.
Gurinder Singh Mann
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