Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839), childhood name is Budh Singh, was the founder of the Sikh empire who forged a modern empire of toleration and who famously owned the Koh-i-Noor diamond. He also has been voted the greatest leader in world history in a poll by BBC World Histories Magazine.

              Maharaja Ranjit Singh Birth : 13 November 1780 in Gujranwala (in modern Pakistan), died June 27, 1839, Lahore [now in Pakistan])Known as Punjab Kesari or Sher-E-Kaum

             Parents: Maha Singh (Misalder of Suckerchakia Misl) and Raj Kaur (known affectionately as Mai Malwain )

Misalder (chief) of Sukerchakia Misl,  and founding Maharaja of the Sikh empire for 38 years from 1801 to his death in 1839

        Coronation: 

Proclaimed himself Maharaja of the Sikh empire on 12 April 1801 after his conquest of Lahore.

By 1849, the British Empire incorporated Ranjit Singh’s former empire after two Anglo-Sikh wars.

Suffered severe attack of smallpox; lost his left eye.

Conquered Lahore(1799) and annexed Amritsar(1805).

1809 Treaty of Amritsar with Britishers; Sutlej was fixed as the eastern boundary of his  Kingdom

Four provinces of his Kingdom; Lahore, Multan ,Kashmir and Peshawar

Named his government as Sarkar-i-Khalsa

Considered himself as Ranjit Nagara(Spokesman of Guru Gobind Singh Ji)

He appointed French General Jean Franquis Allard to modernise his army.

Issued coins; Nanak Shahi and Gobind Shahi

            Died: 27 June 1839 in Lahore (modern Pakistan)

They gave him the title Lion of Punjab (Sher-e-Punjab) because he stemmed the tide of Afghan invaders in Lahore, which remained his capital until his death.

His general Hari Singh Nalwa built the Fort of Jamrud at the mouth of the Khyber Pass.

He was responsible for the Gold Plating of Sri Harminder Sahib, in Amritsar. He built Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the birthplace of the Guru Gobind Singh Je and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, where the Guru left his worldly body.