17 books launched on Indias first war strategist
CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 (UNI): An astonishing 17 books were launched yesterday on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was hailed by a modern day general as Indias first war strategist.
Punjab Governor Lt.
Jfr Jacob, who released the books, published by the Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar, paid an overwhelming tribute to the former Indian ruler, the bi-centenary of whose coronation was celebrated last month.
Jacob said Ranjit Singh was an outstanding general, perhaps the first Indian war strategist who used to plan and execute his campaigns with proper operational and logistic planning.
The Maharaja built up his army to 92,000 infantry, 32,000 cavalry and nearly 400 artillery pieces, a most formidable force, the Governor said.
The Maharaja, he said, was the only Indian ruler who thought of having fully paid professional regular army.
Before him, Maharajas used to raise armies only in the event of war.
"The Maharaja had a vision to modernise his army with the aid of European officers to train his troops," Gen.
The Governor said Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who laid great emphasis on the training of his soldiers, recruited European officers to train his army.
He gave due importance to create a well-equipped and mobile army with tremendous firepower.
Because of the proper professional training of the army, this army defeated the Pathans and Afghans and extended Sikh rule right up to the Khyber pass, he said.
Describing Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a great visionary and statesman, Gen.
Jacob said that the 40-year rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the first experiment by any ruler in federalism.
The Governor, who released the books at a function in Punjab Raj Vhavan yesterday, also honoured their authors, editors and translators.
"I am sure these works will be received well by scholars, teachers, students and general readers alike.
This, to me, seems the most befitting manner of celebrating the great Punjabi events," Gen.
The books include Europeans and Maharja Ranjit Singh edited by Dr S P Singh and Dr Harish Sharma, Maharaja Ranjit Singh: polity economy and society by Dr J S Grewal and its hindi translation Maharaja Ranjit Singh Rajtanter, Arthtanter aur Samaj by Dr Sewa Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh: the French Connections edited by Prof.
Prithipal Singh Kapur, Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The State and Society edited by Dr Indu Banga and Dr J S Grewal, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The Last to Lay Arms by Dr Kartar Singh Duggal.
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