In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Sikh Empire was the powerhouse of South Asia, that arose under the leadership of Maharajah Ranjit Singh who established the empire basing it around the Punjab. His administration included people of all religions, the empire was a secular state. At least 80% of population of the territory he ruled over was Muslim, 10% were Hindu and the majority remaining percent were Sikhs. Unlike, other South Asian empires, who appointed Brahmins as their ministers, the Sikh Ranjit Singh appointed Muslim Fakir Azizuddin as Wazir/Pradhan/Prime Minister.