Hardinge's Tenure and the First War

The question asks to identify the first war fought during the administration of Lord Hardinge, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1844 to 1848. Understanding the timeline of events during his governorship is crucial to answering this question correctly.

First War: Anglo-Sikh Conflict

Lord Hardinge's tenure is primarily marked by a significant conflict with the Sikh Empire. The First Anglo-Sikh War took place between December 1845 and March 1846. This war falls squarely within the period of Lord Hardinge's governance (1844 – 1848). Key battles of this war included Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon. The war concluded with the Treaty of Lahore.

It's important to note that the Second Anglo-Sikh War also occurred towards the end of his term and into the beginning of Lord Dalhousie's tenure (1848-1849), but the first war definitively occurred during Hardinge's time.

Reviewing Other Wars

Let's examine why the other options are incorrect for the specific context of the first war during Lord Hardinge's rule:

• Anglo-Maratha Wars: These conflicts between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire occurred much earlier, with the last one ending in 1818. They were long over before Lord Hardinge became Governor-General.
• Anglo-Afghan Wars: The First Anglo-Afghan War took place from 1839 to 1842, preceding Lord Hardinge's appointment. Subsequent Anglo-Afghan conflicts occurred later but not as the first war during Hardinge's specific tenure.
• Anglo-Mughal War: This is not a standard historical classification for a major conflict during the specified period. The Mughal Empire's significant political power had waned considerably by the mid-19th century, and large-scale wars under this specific name did not occur during Lord Hardinge's administration.

Conclusion

Based on the historical timeline, the First Anglo-Sikh War was the first major war initiated and fought during the Governor-Generalship of Lord Hardinge (1844-1848).