Although the Punjab Wars occurred after the Napoleonic Wars, the quest for power and dominance remained a recurrent theme in the annals of history. The Punjab Wars, which took place in the mid-19th century, are a testament to the inexorable spread of the British Empire and its confrontations with the formidable Sikh Empire in the region of Punjab, which is today split between modern-day India and Pakistan.

In the vast tapestry of the Indian subcontinent, the 1840s witnessed the simmering tensions between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire. With the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab, in 1839, the once-unified Sikh Empire faced internal strife, as different factions vied for control. The British, always watchful, perceived an opportunity in this instability.

The First Anglo-Sikh War began in 1845. The might of the British East India Company, with its well-trained Sepoy and European regiments, squared off against the Khalsa, the formidable military force of the Sikh Empire. The British, although possessing technological advantages, deeply respected the martial prowess of the Sikhs.

Two main battles stood out in this initial conflict. The Battle of Mudki on 18 December 1845 saw the British forces, led by Sir Hugh Gough and Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge, clash with the Sikhs under General Lal Singh. Despite facing fierce resistance, the British managed a costly victory.

This was followed by the Battle of Ferozeshah on 21-22 December 1845. Here, the British faced a larger Sikh force entrenched in strong positions. After two days of fierce combat, the British emerged victorious but at a significant cost. Subsequent battles, like the Battle of Sobraon in February 1846, saw the British decisively defeating the Sikhs, leading to the Treaty of Lahore. This treaty annexed significant parts of the Sikh Empire into British territories, yet left a puppet Sikh ruler on the throne.

However, the embers of conflict were not entirely doused. Merely a few years later, in 1848, the Second Anglo-Sikh War erupted. This was primarily instigated by the actions of Diwan Mulraj and the siege of Multan. The British forces, under commanders like Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Charles Napier, faced off against Sikh forces led by commanders such as Sher Singh Attariwalla.

The pivotal battle of this war was the Battle of Gujrat on 21 February 1849. A massive confrontation between the two sides, it saw the British employing their artillery to devastating effect. The Sikhs, despite their valour, faced a crushing defeat, marking the end of the Sikh resistance to British expansion.

The war culminated with the annexation of Punjab into the British Empire, bringing an end to the sovereign Sikh rule. This acquisition was a jewel for the British, for Punjab was fertile and resource-rich, and its people known for their martial capabilities.

In the grand tapestry of the British Empire's expansion, the Punjab Wars stand as a testament to the relentless march of imperialism, where the old order clashed with the new, and the balance of power forever shifted. Through blood and iron, through valour and strategy, the course of history in the Indian subcontinent was irrevocably altered.