The Annexation of the Punjab: 175 Years On

Description

Join us for a thought-provoking event marking the 175th anniversary of the British annexation of the Punjab, a pivotal moment in South Asian history that followed on from the 1849 Second Anglo–Sikh War, where the British East India Company defeated the Sikh Empire led by Maharaja Duleep Singh.

The strategic importance of the Punjab, with its fertile land and significant location between British India and Central Asia, made it a crucial acquisition for the British, allowing them to control important trade routes and enhance their military advantage in the region.

This event will also consider the annexation’s role in shaping modern Punjab and its diasporic communities, particularly its division during the Partition of India in 1947, which led to massive displacement and violence, profoundly affecting the demographic and cultural landscape of the region.

Please note, this venue, date and time has changed from the printed programme.

About the Speakers

Saeed Khan

Saeed Khan is a cultural historian and commentator based at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches in the departments of History and Global Studies. His academic expertise includes Islamic and Middle Eastern history, Islamic political thought, and transnational identities. Alongside his academic work, he is a frequent analyst for international media outlets. Saeed is the founder of the Center for the Study of Trans-Atlantic Diasporas, a policy institute focused on ethnic and immigrant communities in North America and Europe.

Aaqil Ahmed

Professor Aaqil Ahmed is the former Head of Religion and Ethics at both the BBC and Channel 4. He is currently a Media, communications and diversity consultant and a Professor in media. Aaqil is a Non Executive Director of a number of organisations including The Advertising Standards Authority, OFCOM and The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

Aaqil Ahmed

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