On 13 December 1845, the East India Company declared war against the Sikh empire. The Sikhs had crossed the Sutlej on the 11th December and the British saw this is a threat to their territories. The following is the proclamation of war by the Governor General of India-Lord Hardinge. He acuses the Sikhs of breaking the Treaty of Amritsar in 1809 which was undertaken with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 5 days later the Anglo Sikh wars would commence with the battle of Mudki.