Who among the following said, ‘God intended me to look upon all religions with one eye, that is why he took away the light from the other’?

Key Fact(s)

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, lost the sight of one eye in childhood due to smallpox. He used this physical disability to express his deep belief in religious tolerance, famously stating that God made him one-eyed so he could view all religions equally.

His reign was marked by secular governance, where Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs held high offices. He patronized gurdwaras, temples, and mosques alike and refrained from religious discrimination. The quote encapsulates his inclusive state policy and explains why his rule is remembered for communal harmony in a diverse empire.