The ruler rejoicing: elements of the emotional portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh according to court chronicles

Based on the analysis of the Sikh court chronicle Amdat-at-Tawarih by the official chronicler Suri Lal Sohan Lal, the article highlights the triggers of joy ofthe ruler ofthe Sikh state,Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799–1839).The analysis of the triggers themselves, as well as the frequency of their mention, allowed us to form an idea of the place of joy in the emotional portrait of the Sikh ruler. It is emphasized that the display of joy could be a demonstrative gesture of a political and/or social nature. It is proved that the pages of the court chronicle reflect the emotional reactions of the ruler precisely as the ruler, the bearer of supreme power, whose behavior is expected. A combination of various objective and subjective factors influenced the fact that a certain positive emotional reaction of the Maharaja was reflected in the text, regardless of what emotions their bearer might actually experience. It was important for the chronicler to record exactly the expected reaction, which would correspond not just to the image of the ruler, but to the ideal ruler. At the same time, Maharaja Ranjit Singh appears as a rather emotional person who openly and often demonstrates his joy on completely different occasions. 

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