Mann, Gurinder Singh The Rise of the Sikh Soldier. The Sikh Warrior through the ages, c1700-1900

The might and military prowess of the Sikhs has been recorded in the annals of history but what actually constitutes this development has seldom been understood or discussed in a meaningful context. This book considers the rise of military methods from the time of the Gurus, and what the tenth preceptor Guru Gobind Singh was trying to achieve with the formation of the Khalsa, or fraternity of the pure. The development of saint soldiers during the testing time of the Misl, or Confederacy period, considers the role of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Charat Singh Sukerchakia. The author also looks at the formation of the Sikh Empire in the nineteenth century, and considers the role of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, and his notorious warriors Akali Phula Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa. Underrepresented female warriors, such as Sahib Kaur and Sada Kaur, are also given coverage to reflect their important, but largely forgotten, part in Sikh history.
During the reign of Maharajah Ranjit Singh there was a deliberate change in military methods of the Sikhs. The movement from the predominant favouring of cavalry to the Europeanisation of the Sikh Army is examined. The Anglo-Sikh Wars of 1845-1846 and 1848-1849 are given consideration in terms of the military tactics used by the opposing armies, along with a brief examination of the major battles and the course of the war. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars the Sikhs became an important part of the British military forces in the Indian Empire, and the deployment of Sikhs in campaigns during the time of the British Indian Army, many outside of the subcontinent, is also considered.
The book is supplemented with maps of battles, and illustrated with rare military images, relics, and artefacts, together with the appendices citing important documents and letters.

The evolution of the holy soldiers during the Misl, the Confederacy, is depicted through the role of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Charat Singh Sukerchakia. The author also looks at the emergence of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century and the role of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his infamous warriors Akali Phula Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa. Under-represented women warriors such as Sahib Kaur and Sada Kaur are also covered to reflect their important but largely forgotten role in Sikh history.
During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, there was a conscious change in Sikh military methods. The evolution from the predominant preference for cavalry to the Europeanisation of the Sikh army is examined. The Anglo-Sikh wars from 1845 to 1846 and 1848 to 1849 are considered in terms of the military tactics employed by the opposing armies, with a brief examination of the key battles and the course of the war. After the Anglo-Sikh wars, Sikhs became an important part of the British forces in the Indian Empire, and the use of Sikhs in campaigns during the British Indian Army period, many outside the subcontinent, is also considered.
The book is supplemented by maps of battles and illustrated with rare military images, relics and artefacts, as well as appendices citing important documents and letters.