The Second Anglo-Sikh War was fought in 1848-1849 A.D. when Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General of India and Maharaja Dalip Singh was the minor ruler of Lahore. The following are the causes behind the second Anglo-Sikh War fought between British and the Sikhs :

Dissatisfaction amongst the Sikhs after the First Anglo-Sikh War :

• The Sikhs were defeated in the first Anglo-Sikh War fought under the leadership of treacherous people like Lal Singh and Tej Singh. After the War and as a result of the treaties of Lahore, the Britishers were able to separate the hilly regions of Jammu-Kashmir, Hazara, Kangra etc. from the Lahore Kingdom. The strength of the sikh army was reduced and the British army began to camp in Lahore. Maharani Jindan was deprived of the political rights. The Resident began to offer high posts to the Britishers. The patriotic Sikhs could not tolerate the humiliating terms of the Treaty of Bhairowal.

‘The Cow’ Row :

• On April 21, 1846 A.D, a herd of cows blocked the way of an European topchi (gunner). The soldier attacked the cows with his sword. This news enraged the Hindus and the Sikhs. The British Resident Henry Lawrence went to the city to convince the people. People threw bricks on him from the top of their roofs. As a result Henry Lawrence awarded death sentence to a Brahmin. Two men were exiled. Those houses from whose roofs the bricks had been thrown were demolished. It was natural for the people of Punjab to the Brihshers.

Retrenchment in the Sikh Army :

• After the First Anglo-Sikh War, according to the treaty of Lahore, the number of soldiers in Sikh Army was fixed to 20,000 soldiers in infantry and 12,000 soldiers in cavalry. The Lahore Government was asked to pay twenty two lacs annually to the British Government for the expenditure on the British army. To meet this expenditure, the salary of the army was reduced. So the Sikh soldiers were enraged against the Britishers.

Maltreatment of Maharani Jindan :

• According to the treaty of Bhairowal, Maharani Jindan was deprived of all political rights. She was arrested and sent to Shekhupura Fort on August 20, 1846 A.D. Her pension was reduced from Rs. one and half lacs to forty eight thousand only. Thereafter, she was exiled and sent to Benares. As a result, the patriotic Sikhs were enraged against the Britishers.

Plan of Lord Dalhousie and Currie to annexe Punjab :

• In January, 1848 A.D. Lord Dalhousie became the Governor General of India. First of all, he planned to annexe Punjab. Fredrick 'Currie had already been appointed the British Resident of Lahore. He was very experienced and an expert diplomat. Dalhousie and Currie both planned to wage war against the Sikhs.

Revolt of Mulraj of Multan :

• After the death of Dewan Sawan Mal, Nazim of Multan, his son Diwan Mulraj was appointed as Nazim of Multan.The British Resident accepted Mulraj as Nazim of Multan.His annual revenue was increased from twenty lacs to thirty lacs. He requested the British Resident to reduce the revenue but his request was dismissed. Diwan Mulraj resigned due to this reason and the British Resident Fredrick Currie appointed Kahan Singh Mann the Nazim of Multan in his place.Kahan Singh, Agnew and Anderson went to Multan to take the charge from Diwan Mulraj. They stayed . in an Idgah. While they were returning to Idgah on taking charge from Mulraj, the soldiers of Multan attacked the British Officers and killed them. They instigated Diwan Mulraj to revolt against the British. This revolt provided the British an opportunity to fight with the Sikhs.

Exile of Maharani Jindan :

• In August, 1847 A.D., Maharani Jindan was sent from Lahore to Shekhupura. She was exiled to Benaras after being charged of revolting against the British. Her annual pension was reduced reduced to Rs. tweleve thousand which annoyed the people of Punjab.

Revolt of Bhai Maharaj Singh :

• Bhai Maharaj Singh was a follower of Saint Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad. He revolted against the Brinshers to save 'Sarkar-E-Khalsa’. The British Resident Henry lawrence ordered to arrest him. But Maharaj Singh could not be arrested. After the revolt by Mulraj and exile of Maharani Jindan, he gathered hundreds of people under him. On the request of Mulraj, he proceeded towards Multan to help him along with four hundred cavalry soldiers. After some time, due to some misunderstanding he left Mulraj, and Joined Chattar Singh Atariwala and his son Sher Singh.

Revolt of Chattar Singh of Hazara :

• Chattar Singh Attariwala was appointed the Nazim of Hazara. Captain Abbot was appointed for his help. Abbot's proudy behavior made Chattar Singh suspicious of the British. Captain Abbot levelled charges against him that his soldiers had joined hands with the rebellions of Multan. Chattar Singh openly revolted against the British.

Revolt of Sher Singh :

When Sher Singh came to know that his father had been removed from the post of Nazim of Hazara, he revolted against the British. He also joined the rebels along with his army and Mulraj. He appealed to the Sikhs to expel cruel and deceitful phirangis (foreigners) from Punjab. As a result of this appeal, many old soldiers also joined the rebellions against the British.

British Invasion of Punjab :

• The revolt by Mulraj, Chattar Singh and Sher Singh gave Lord Dalhousie an opportunity to act on his predetermined plan. On the orders of Lord Dalhousie, the British army under the leadership of Hugh Gough crossed the river Satluj on November 9, 1848.The army reached Lahore and got entangled with rebellions on November 13, 1848 A.D and thus started the second Anglo-Sikh War.