Sikha Shahi Explained

Sikha-Shahi is used to denote the high-handedness of a ruler. The term originated during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire^{[1] [2]} in Punjab, which stretched from the Kashmir valley^[3] to the mouth of the Khyber Pass. About 70 per cent of the subjects of the Sikh ruler were Muslim.^[4] Allegedly, during the Sikh period in Lahore, curb to religious freedom and economic suppression were imposed on Muslim subjects.^[5] The Sikh rule was dubbed ‘Sikha-Shahi’ by the aggrieved Muslim elite.^[6] The phrase now refers to the rule of a monarchy^[7] or unfavourable court orders^[8] in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab province.^{[9] [10]}

See also

• Battle of Shopian
• Sikh period in Lahore
• Treaty of Amritsar (1846)
• Religious discrimination in Pakistan
• Chhota Ghallughara
• Vadda Ghalughara
• Military coups in Pakistan
• Sikh Empire
• Islam and Sikhism

Notes and References

1. Book: Tandon, Prakash. Punjabi Century, 1857-1947. registration. 10. 1968. University of California Press. 978-0-520-01253-0. en.
2. Book: Nevile, Pran. Lahore. 2006-07-07. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. 978-93-86651-91-4. en.
3. Book: Lawrence, Sir Walter Roper. The Valley of Kashmir. 2005. Asian Educational Services. 978-81-206-1630-1. en.
4. Book: Hasan, Prof M.. HISTORY OF ISLAM (2 Vols. Set). 2002. Adam Publishers & Distributors. 978-81-7435-019-0. en.
5. Web site: Back to Sikha Shahi rule?. Pakistan Today. 2020-03-20.
6. Web site: COLUMN:The uses of language snobbery:Urdu & the identity politics. Kamal. Ajmal. 2015-01-11. DAWN.COM. en. 2020-03-20.
7. Web site: Shehzad . Rizwan . 'Arbitrary rule': Sharif asks people to revolt against 'sikha shahi' . The Express Tribune . 2018-03-06 . 2020-03-20.
8. Web site: Court must act against Nawaz for 'Sikha Shahi' remark: Kaira. 2017-12-21. The Nation. en. 2020-03-20.
9. Book: Allen, Charles. Soldier Sahibs: The Men Who Made the North-West Frontier. 2012-06-21. John Murray Press. 978-1-84854-720-9. en.
10. Web site: Ex-PM talks about power of vote again. Reporter. The Newspaper's Staff. 2018-03-06. DAWN.COM. en. 2020-03-20.