The Sikh State emerged in Punjab in the late 15th century under Guru Nanak. It grew militarily under Guru Gobind Singh and politically peaked under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After his death in 1839, internal power struggles weakened the empire, leading to its decline and eventual British control by 1858.

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• Sikh faith founded by Guru Nanak in late 15th century
• Guru Hargobind shaped Sikhs into a militant community
• Guru Gobind Singh made them political and military power by 1708
• Sikhs organized into jathas, later misls, forming Dal Khalsa
• Democratic structure of misls faded, chiefs grew powerful
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh modernized army, promoted culture, prosperity
• Treaty of Amritsar 1809 marked political shift with British
• After Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, empire weakened
• First Anglo-Sikh War began 1845 after Sutlej crossing
• By 1858, Punjab fully annexed into British India