Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839) was the founder of the Sikh Empire, which rose to power in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the early 19th century. He was also the keeper of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, an Isu artifact, from 1830 until his demise.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Singh was the son of , a small faction leader heading a misl, one of many entities comprising the region at the time. During childhood, he contracted smallpox which resulted in the loss of one of his eyes. When he was 12 years old, Singh succeeded his father.Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India – Database: Ranjit Singh
===Rise of the Sikh Empire===
In the summer of 1799, Singh conquered the misl of , the region's economic capital. The ensuing expansion led him to be crowned Maharajah of Punjab at the age of 20. Singh then launched an attack on the , acquiring many territories where Islam was the predominant religion.
While some of its conquests were violent, the Sikh Empire was, on the whole, very progressive and open-minded for its time. For the Sikhs, the rigid Hindu system of social castes did not apply as they considered all men to be equal. Similarly, they allowed other religions to be practiced freely. Wanting to have his memory live on in the Sikh religion, Singh had the sacred temple of Harmandir Sahib adorned with marble and gold leaf. As a result, the western world has since referred to it as the "Golden Temple".
With the annexation of Kashmir to the north and to the south, Muslims represented more than 70% of the Sikh Empire's subjects. It was a testament to its strength that the Empire remained standing while other Indian regions fell to the British. Singh was adamant about remaining in control of his lands, his resolve strengthened by his knowledge of the Templars and their desires to obtain India and its riches.
===The Koh-i-Noor===
In 1830, Singh acquired the Koh-i-Noor diamond, a powerful Piece of Eden, serving as its keeper for nine years. He hid the real artifact in a secret chamber beneath his summer palace and wore a copy of it on his wrist. In 1839, the British Templars plotted to take the diamond from Singh by assassinating the Maharaja, realizing that his successors did not share Singh's determination to protect it. During a feast at the Maharaja's palace, General Francis Cotton laced Singh's tea with a fatal poison.Assassin's Creed: Brahman
As the Indian Assassin Arbaaz Mir tried to prevent Singh from drinking more of his tea, Cotton instead placed the blame on the Assassin, making guards chase Mir through the palace. Singh's health quickly deteriorated and his granddaughter Pyara Kaur came rushing to his aid. When she revealed that the Koh-i-Noor was in her possession, he implored her to flee the country with it and never return; Singh would perish that same night.
==Legacy==
Even after his death, Singh was venerated by the Sikhs across the world as one of the greatest heroes in the culture. In 2003, a 22-meter tall bronze statue of Singh was installed in the .
==Gallery==
ACBH Pyara with Ranjit Singh.jpg|Singh with his granddaughter
ACC India DB Ranjit Singh.png|Singh in the Helix database
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Brahman 
*Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India
==References==
Category:1780 births
Category:1839 deaths
Category:Individuals
Category:Indians
Category:Punjabis
Ranjit
Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden
Category:Ancestors of Monima Das
Category:Sukerchakia dynasty
fr:Ranjit Singh