PPSC Excise and Taxation Inspector 2018 Question Paper

Practice Mode:
6.

When Did the British annex Punjab ?

A: March 1849
B: March 1848
C: August 1947
D: April 1837

The answer is: A

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Explanation

Answer: A - March 1849

Explanation:

After the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49), the British formally annexed Punjab on 29 March 1849 through a proclamation issued by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India.

The young Maharaja Dalip Singh was deposed, pensioned off and later sent to England.

The Koh-i-Noor diamond was seized and handed over to the British Crown as part of the annexation terms.

 

Why other options are wrong:

  • March 1848 - This is when the Second Anglo-Sikh War began, not when annexation happened.
  • August 1947 - This is Indian Independence. Punjab was partitioned, not annexed, at this point. A common emotional distractor.
  • April 1837 - No significant event related to Punjab annexation. Ranjit Singh was still ruling at this time.

 

Key timeline to remember:

  • 1839 : Ranjit Singh dies
  • 1845-46 : First Anglo-Sikh War
  • 1848-49 : Second Anglo-Sikh War
  • 29 March 1849 : Punjab annexed by British
  • 1947 : Punjab partitioned at Independence

 

The trap in this question:

Memory hook: War started 1848, Punjab gone 1849 - one year to lose an empire.