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The emergence of Sikhism hundreds of years ago was in response to the existing socio-economic inequalities, orthodoxy and dogmatism With the fundamental principles of equality, justice, good of all and up keeping of humanitarian values, the new religion took birth amidst the pervading darkness of ritualism, fanaticism and socio-political malfunctioning that eventually victimised common man, as the then rulers failed in their foremost duty of providing good governance to their subjects. Sikh Gurus henceforth, laid the strong foundation of liberal, democratic and God-centred governance. Beginning with Guru Nanak, who travelled length and breadth to preach humane values and to liberate people from narrow prejudices to the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who did not give a second thought before persuading his father to sacrifice his life for the righteous cause and remained calm and composed on the martyrdom of his four sons. He brought in to practice the higher standards of socio-religious and ethical values by giving good governance to his people. Human dignity, worth and rights were held in high esteem by the tenth Master and so were held by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who inspired by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus ruled for forty long years over the people but with humility and meekness. He discharged his duties which he accepted were endowed upon him by God 's will, he raised sword to expand his empire just like any other emperor but unlike other emperors he did not flaunt his power and authority by bringing his subjects under control and oppression. Maharaja Ranjit Singh rather proved to provide administrative efficiency in his kingdom and emerge as a God oriented, enlightened, God-fearing, truthful, righteous, ethical, compassionate, philanthropic and accountable ruler. After decades of turmoil and unrest, fear and suffering, people under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit singh lived in a blissful state, happy and contended materialistically and aesthetically. The present paper henceforth is an attempt to highlight the way in which good governance as emphasised by the ten Gurus was brought in to practice by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Keywords

Good Governance, Ranjit Singh, God Fearing, Righteous, Truthful.

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References

Madanjit Kaur (2007) The Regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Historians ' Observation Unistar Books Pvt Ltd Chandigarh.

Financial, Civil and Military Administration of the Maharaja http://www.searchsikhism.com/maharaja-ranjit-singh/financial-civil-and-military-administration-of-the-maharaja acessed on 22/5/18

Grewal, J.S (2001) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Polity, Economy and Society. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

Taqavi loans are extended to poor farmers to increase the agricultural produce.

Batai: Actual produce obtained after harvesting was used as the basis of sharing of crops. This system was prevailing since the Mughal times. In this system the goverrlment had to keep constant check on the harvest, otherwise it might be deprived of its actual share.

Kankut: In this system the government share was assessed on the basis of standing crops on or before harvesting. This system was also prevalent during the Mughal period. An advantage in this system was that the government did not have to keep constant check on the crops; because of the estimation of the government share before harvesting the government would plan its budget.

Zabti: This was the system of cash payment on the basis of the measurement of crops. Generally for the cash crops like cotton, indigo, sugarcane, tobacco, etc. this method was applied.

Shah Bipin. Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Genocide of the Sikhs in the 18th Century http://www.academia.edu/8527335/ Maharaja_Ranjit_singh_and_the_Genocides_of_the_Sikhs_in_18th_century accesed on 22/5/18

Cunnigham, J. D,: History of the Sikhs Reprint, New Delhi 1966.

Duggal Kartar Singh (2001) Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Last to Lay Arms. Abhinav Publications, New Delhi.

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