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Why did many Sikhs in Punjab support the British during the rebellion?

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Illustration of De Kantzow defending the treasury at Mainpuri during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, showing a British officer confronting armed sepoys inside a building as tensions rise during the uprising. — Indian Rebellion of 1857 Indian sepoys (soldiers) corner a British officer amid their attack on a treasury in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.

Many Sikhs in the Punjab supported the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 due to historical tensions and political dynamics in the region. Following the British annexation of the Punjab in 1849, the Sikhs maintained a complex relationship with the new administration.

Key factors contributing to this support included:

Tension with Muslims: There was underlying friction between the Sikh community and the Muslim population. Many Sikhs may have preferred British rule over the prospect of a return to a Muslim-dominated government, given the historical conflicts between the two groups.1
Military Integration: After the annexation of the Punjab, the British actively recruited Sikhs into the British army, providing them with professional opportunities and careers that they valued.21
Strategic Alignment: The British administration in the Punjab, led by figures like Sir John Lawrence, implemented an efficient, albeit firm, governance style that focused on material development and stability, which helped maintain order in the region.1

For their loyalty during the rebellion, the British rewarded the Sikhs with land grants and various privileges.2