State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony: Post-Mughal 19th-century Punjab

Explores one of the most crucial factors leading to the non-Islamic paradigm in the political and social fabric of Punjab -- the emergence of a Sikh 'space' from the time of advent of the gurus. This book examines the Punjab state under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his rightful domination over the majority Muslim subjects. The conversion of Punjabis both from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds to Sikhism began to create problems for the Muslim elites in Punjab, even though Muslim and Sikh leaderships engaged with each other. The book traces how Ranjit Singh derived legitimacy from Muslim subjects in five crucial areas of governance: religion, justice, army, agrarian policy and the formation of new Muslim elites.