Ranjit Singh was the founder and the first maharaja of the Sikh Empire, ruling from 1801 until his death in 1839.
Handprint signature and Gurmukhi script seal of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was illiterate in the official Perso Arabic script of his empire
Portrait of Ranjit Singh, c. 1816–1829
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne, c. 1820–1830
Coins were issued under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh, also spelled Dalip Singh, and later in life nicknamed the "Black Prince of Perthshire", was the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. He was Maharaja Ranjit Singh's youngest son
Ranjit Singh
…of his only heir Kharak Singh. The Maharaja married her in 1835 by 'sending his arrow and sword to her village'. On 6 September 1838 she gave birth to Duleep Singh, who became the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. His other wives included, Mehtab Devi of Kangara also called Guddan or Katochan and Raj Banso, daughters…
Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh in 1875, aged 37
English and Persian signature of Maharaja Duleep Singh, ca.1870's
Duleep Singh, aged 16, on the Lower Terrace of Osborne House, Isle of Wight in 1854