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How did the British East India Company take control of Punjab in 1849?

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Amritsar, India: Harmandir Sahib — Punjab The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple; right), Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The British East India Company took control of the Punjab in 1849 following the conclusion of the Second Sikh War (1848–49).12

The conflict escalated into a national revolt after the Sikh army joined rebels who had risen against British authority in Multan. After several intense engagements, the decisive turning point occurred at the Battle of Gujrat on February 21, 1849. In this battle, the British-Indian army, led by Hugh Gough, effectively utilized artillery to break the Sikh lines and scatter their forces.21

Following this defeat, the Sikh army surrendered on March 12, 1849. Consequently, the governor-general, Lord Dalhousie, formally annexed the Punjab into British-controlled territory. This annexation was considered viable by the British, in part due to existing social tensions within the region, and it allowed the British to establish a new administrative system characterized by strong personal leadership and infrastructure development.3124