Let's face it Sikhi was sidelined by Maharaja Ranjit Singh way before the British set their sights on the Punjab. The Nihung Singhs had already started to protest against Ranjit Singhs anti-Sikh ways and it would have just been a matter of time before there would have been a violent clash between the secular monarchy and the real Sikhs of the time. Duleep Singhs fate was already destined to be separated from Sikhi. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had brilliant qualities of a leader but his lavish and anti-Sikh lifestyle is the reason we are facing the problems of being stateless today.
Although the story of Duleep Singh is sad we must not forget that the Sikh 'nishaana' of the time was never to be ruled by a secular Monarch but to establish 'Khalsa Raj' and to be led by the 'Khalsa'.
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