The Resistance Strategy of James Abbott against the Sikh Government in Hazara

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the role of James Abbott as a soldier of British imperialism
against the Sikh regime in Hazara. After facing defeat in the first Anglo Sikh War, Sikhs had
lost their military power, whereas Treaty of Lahore opened the doors for the East India
Company to control the entire land. Annexation of the Punjab finally compelled Sikh rulers
to obey the authority of the British administration. Present study has tried to pinpoint how
James Abbott, under the supervision of Resident Sir Henry Lawrence, kept an eye on
Punjab’s administration to contain the Sikh rule. Taking advantage of the situation, where
harsh and strict rule of the Sikhs had created an environment of mistrust among the
majority Muslim population of Hazara, James Abbott successfully used his power to
restrict the Sikh rule. With the help of both primary and secondary sources, the present
study tries to focus on the role of James Abbott against the Sikh regime especially during
the Second Anglo Sikh War in Hazara, which ultimately terminated the Sikh Raj from these
areas of the Sub-Continent.