Modernising Governance: Insights from Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s Administration

Abstract

The study of the civil administration under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh is the main object of this paper. Fundamental rights and a pluralistic society characterised by the value of secularism are the main components of the Maharaja’s civil administration. A very efficient administration was given to the people and even minute points regarding administration received his attention. He reorganised the whole structure of the civil administration and introduced many new Daftar (Institutions). He created a well-organised state based on the support of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims alike. The overall structure of civil administration and its nature are analysed. A historical, analytical, and comparative approach is adopted. Another object of this paper is to analyse Maharaja Ranjeet Singh as a Punjabi statesman and his revolutionary humanistic philosophy through which he brought an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence of all faiths, ensuring all the fundamental rights to freedom of conscience.