Treaty of Lahore
The Treaty of Lahore of 9 March 1846 was a peace-treaty marking the end of the First Anglo-Sikh War. The treaty was concluded, for the British, by the Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge and two officers of the East India Company and, for the Sikhs, by the seven-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh and seven members of Hazara, the territory to the south of the river Sutlej and the forts and territory in the Jalandhar Doab between the rivers Sutlej and Beas.[1] In addition, controls were placed on the size of the Lahore army and thirty-six field guns were confiscated.[2] The control of the rivers Sutlej and Beas and part of the Indus passed to the British, with the Provision that this was not to interfere with the passage of passenger boats owned by the Lahore Government.[3] Also, provision was made for the separate sale of all the hilly regions between River Beas and Indus, including Kashmir, by the East India Company at a later date to Gulab Singh, the Raja of Jammu.[4]
The Anglo-Sikh treaties of 1846
[edit]Background
[edit]Maharaja Ranjit Singh Sukerchakia had made Lahore the capital of the Sikh Empire of the Punjab, which he built up between 1799 and his death in 1839. After his death, factions and assassinations destroyed the unity of the State, causing alarm to the British because it weakened the buffer against the perceived threat of invasion from the north. Provocative acts by both the British and the Sikhs escalated tension and, on 13 December 1845, Hardinge issued a proclamation declaring war on the Sikhs.[5]
During the First Anglo-Sikh War, the British came close to defeat at the Battle of Ferozeshah, but were eventually victorious. After the defeat of the Sikhs at the Battle of Sobraon, the British marched unopposed into Lahore on 20 February 1846.[6]
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Peace treaty
[edit]The peace treaty was negotiated and drafted by Frederick Currie, assisted on military matters by Brevet-Major Henry Lawrence, acting under powers vested in them by Hardinge. Currie's diplomatic skills so impressed Hardinge that the British authorities rewarded him with a baronetcy in January 1847.
On 11 March 1846, two days after signature of the treaty, a supplement, comprising eight Articles of Agreement, was signed by the same parties.[7] It provided that a British force would remain in Lahore until no longer than the end of the year "for the purpose of protecting the person of the Maharajah and the inhabitants of the city of Lahore, during the reorganization of the Sikh Army". This supplementary agreement was at the request of the Lahore Durbar. The Lahore army would vacate the city, convenient quarters would be provided for the British troops and the Lahore Government would pay the extra expenses.[8]
The Agreement also provided that the British would respect the bona fide rights of jagirdars in the Lahore territories and would assist the Lahore Government in recovering the arrears of revenue justly due to the Lahore Government from the kardars[9] and managers in the territories ceded by the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty.[10]
The Treaty of Amritsar
[edit]The British demanded payment of 15 million rupees[11] (one and a half crore) as reparations for the cost of the war. As the Lahore Government was unable to pay the whole of this sum immediately, it ceded some of the territories mentioned above, including Hazara and Kashmir, as equivalent to 10 million rupees (one crore). The Maharaja was also required to pay 6 million rupees (60 lakhs) immediately.[12]
The British then sold Kashmir to the Raja of Jammu, Gulab Singh, for 7.5 million rupees (75 lakhs). The treaty of sale was concluded on 16 March 1846, in the Treaty of Amritsar and signed by Gulab Singh, Hardinge, Currie and Lawrence.[13] Gulab Singh thus became the founder and first Maharaja of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu.
The Treaty of Bhyroval
[edit]
The supplementary Articles of Agreement had specified that the British troops would remain in Lahore until no later than the end of 1846. When the time approached for the British to leave, the Durbar requested that the troops should remain until the Maharaja attained the age of 16. The British consented to this and new articles of agreement were drawn up, forming the Treaty of Bhyroval.[14] This was signed on 26 December 1846, by Currie, Lawrence and 13 members of the Durbar and later ratified by Hardinge and the young Maharaja..
A key condition of the British agreement was that a Resident British officer, with an efficient establishment of assistants, was to be appointed by the Governor-General to remain at Lahore, with "full authority to direct and control all matters in every Department of the State".[15] The Regent, Maharani Jindan Kaur, mother of the Maharaja, was awarded an annual pension of 150,000 rupees and replaced by a Council of Regency composed of leading Chiefs and Sirdars acting under the control and guidance of the British Resident.[16] This effectively gave the British control of the Government.
Text of the 1846 Treaty of Lahore as signed on 9 March 1846
[edit]Treaty between the British Government and the State of Lahore, 1846.[7]
Whereas the treaty of amity and concord, which was concluded between the British government and the late Maharajah Runjeet Sing, the ruler of Lahore, in 1809, was broken by the unprovoked aggression, on the British Provinces, of the Sikh army, in December last; and whereas, on that occasion, by the proclamation, dated 13th December, the territories then in the occupation of the Maharajah of Lahore, on the left or British bank of the river Sutlej, were confiscated and annexed to the British Provinces; and since that time hostile operations have been prosecuted by the two Governments; the one against the other, which have resulted in the occupation of Lahore by the British troops; and whereas it has been determined that, upon certain conditions, peace shall be re-established between the two Governments, the following treaty of peace between the Honourable East India Company and Maharajah Dhuleep Sing Bahadoor, and his children, heirs and successors, has been concluded on the part of the Honourable Company by Frederick Currie, Esquire, and Brevet-Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence, by virtue of full powers to that effect vested in them by the Right Hon'ble Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., one of her Britannic Majesty's Most Hon'ble Privy Council, Governor-General, appointed by the Honourable Company to direct and control all their affairs in the East Indies, and on the part of His Highness Maharajah Dhuleep Sing by Bhaee Ram Sing, Rajah Lal Sing, Sirdar Tej Sing, Sirdar Chuttur Sing Attareewalla, Sirdar Runjore Sing Majeethia, Dewan Deena Nath and Fakeer Nooroodden, vested with full powers and authority on the part of His Highness.
I. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the British Government on the one part and Maharajah Dhuleep Sing, his heirs and successors on the other.
II. The Maharajah of Lahore renounces for himself, his heirs and successors, all claim to, or connection with, the territories lying to the south of the River Sutlej, and engages never to have any concern with those territories or the inhabitants thereof.
III. The Maharajah cedes to the Hon'ble Company, in perpetual sovereignty, all his forts, territories and rights in the Doab or country, hill and plain, situated between the Rivers Beas and Sutlej.
IV. The British Government having demanded from the Lahore State, as indemnification for the expenses of the war, in addition to the cession of territory described in Article 3, payment of one and half crore of Rupees, and the Lahore Government being unable to pay the whole of this sum at this time, or to give security satisfactory to the British Government for its eventual payment, the Maharajah cedes to the Honourable Company, in perpetual sovereignty, as equivalent for one crore of Rupees, all his forts, territories, rights and interests in the hill countries, which are situated between the Rivers Beas and Indus, including the Provinces of Cashmere and Hazarah.
V. The Maharajah will pay to the British Government the sum of 50 lakhs of Rupees on or before the ratification of this Treaty.
VI. The Maharajah engages to disband the mutinous troops of the Lahore Army, taking from them their arms and His Highness agrees to reorganize the Regular or Aeen Regiments of Infantry upon the system, and according to the Regulations as to pay and allowances, observed in the time of the late Maharajah Runjeet Sing. The Maharajah further engages to pay up all arrears to the soldiers that are discharged, under the provisions of this Article.
VII. The Regular Army of the Lahore State shall henceforth be limited to 25 Battalions of Infantry, consisting of 800 bayonets each with twelve thousand Cavalry – this number at no time to be exceeded without the concurrence of the British Government. Should it be necessary at any time – for any special cause – that this force should be increased, the cause shall be fully explained to the British Government, and when the special necessity shall have passed, the regular troops shall be again reduced to the standard specified in the former Clause of this Article.
VIII. The Maharajah will surrender to the British Government all the guns – thirty-six in number – which have been pointed against the British troops and which, having been placed on the right Bank of the River Sutlej, were not captured at the battle of Subraon.
IX. The control of the Rivers Beas and Sutlej, with the continuations of the latter river, commonly called the Gharrah and the Punjnud, to the confluence of the Indus at Mithunkote and the control of the Indus from Mithunkote to the borders of Beloochistan, shall, in respect to tolls and ferries, rest with the British Government. The provisions of this Article shall not interfere with the passage of boats belonging to the Lahore Government on the said rivers, for the purpose of traffic or the conveyance of passengers up and down their course. Regarding the ferries between the two countries respectively, at the several ghats of the said rivers, it is agreed that the British Government, after defraying all the expenses of management and establishments, shall account to the Lahore Government for one-half the net profits of the ferry collections. The provisions of this Article have no reference to the ferries on that part of the River Sutlej which forms the boundary of Bhawulpore and Lahore respectively.
X. If the British Government should, at any time, desire to pass troops through the territories of His Highness the Maharajah, for the protection of the British territories, or those of their Allies, the British troops shall, on such special occasion, due notice being given, be allowed to pass through the Lahore territories. In such case the officers of the Lahore State will afford facilities in providing supplies and boats for the passage of rivers, and the British Government will pay the full price of all such provisions and boats, and will make fair compensation for all private property that may be damaged. The British Government will, moreover, observe all due consideration to the religious feelings of the inhabitants of those tracts through which the army may pass.
XI. The Maharajah engages never to take or to retain in his service any British subject – nor the subject of any European or American State – without the consent of the British Government.
XII. In consideration of the services rendered by Rajah Golab Sing of Jummoo, to the Lahore State, towards procuring the restoration of the relations of amity between the Lahore and British Governments, the Maharajah hereby agrees to recognize the Independent sovereignty of Rajah Golab Sing in such territories and districts in the hills as may be made over to the said Rajah Golab Sing, by separate Agreement between himself and the British Government, with the dependencies thereof, which may have been in the Rajah's possession since the time of the late Maharajah Khurruck Sing, and the British Government, in consideration of the good conduct of Rajah Golab Sing, also agrees to recognize his independence in such territories, and to admit him to the privileges of a separate Treaty with the British Government.
XIII. In the event of any dispute or difference arising between the Lahore State and Rajah Golab Sing, the same shall be referred to the arbitration of the British Government, and by its decision the Maharajah engages to abide.
XIV. The limits of the Lahore territories shall not be, at any time, changed without the concurrence of the British Government.
XV. The British Government will not exercise any interference in the internal administration of the Lahore State, but in all cases or questions which may be referred to the British Government, the Governor-General will give the aid of his advice and good offices for the furtherance of the interests of the Lahore Government.
XVI. The subjects of either State shall, on visiting the territories of the other, be on the footing of the subjects of the most favoured nation.
This Treaty consisting of sixteen articles, has been this day settled by Frederick Currie, Esquire, and Brevet-Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence acting under the directions of the Right Hon'ble Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., Governor-General, on the part of the British Government, and by Bhaee Ram Sing, Rajah Lal Sing, Sirdar Tej Sing, Sirdar Chuttur Sing Attareewalla, Sirdar Runjore Sing Majeethia, Dewan Deena Nath, and Faqueer Noorooddeen, on the part of the Maharajah Dhuleep Sing, and the said Treaty has been this day ratified by the seal of the Right Hon'ble Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., Governor-General, and by that of His Highness Maharajah Dhuleep Sing.
Done at Lahore, this ninth day of March, in year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-six; corresponding with the,tenth day of Rubbee-ool-awul, 1262 Hijree, and ratified on the same date.
- (Sd.) H. Hardinge (L.S.)
- (Sd.) Maharajah Dhuleep Sing (L.S.)
- Bhaee Ram Sing (L.S.)
- Rajah Lal Sing (L.S.)
- Sirdar Tej Sing (L.S.)
- Sirdar Chuttur Sing Attareewalla (L.S.)
- Sirdar Runjore Sing Majeethia (L.S.)
- Dewan Deena Nath (L.S.)
- Faqueer Noorooddeen (L.S.)
Supplementary Agreement to the Treaty of Lahore (11 March 1846)
[edit]Articles of Agreement concluded between the British Government and the Lahore Durbar on the 11th March 1846.
Whereas the Lahore Government has solicited the Governor-General to leave a British force at Lahore, for the protection of the Maharajah’s person and of the capital, till the reorganization of the Lahore army, according to the provisions of Article 6 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated the 9th instant And whereas the Governor-General has, on certain conditions, consented to the measure; And whereas it is expedient that certain matters concerning the territories ceded by Articles 3 and 4 of the aforesaid Treaty should be specifically determined;
The following eight Articles of Agreement have this day been concluded between the aforementioned contracting parties.[7]
The British Government shall leave at Lahore, till the close of the current year, A.D. 1846, such force as shall seem to the Governor-General adequate for the purpose of protecting the person of the Maharajah and the inhabitants of the City of Lahore, during the reorganization of the Sikh Army, in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Treaty of Lahore. That force to be withdrawn at any convenient time before the expiration of the year, if the object to be fulfilled shall, in the opinion of the Durbar, have been attained — but the force shall not be detained at Lahore beyond the expiration of the current year.
The Lahore Government agrees that the force left at Lahore for the purpose specified in the foregoing Article shall be placed in full possession of the Fort and the City of Lahore, and that the Lahore troops shall be removed from within the City. The Lahore Government engages to furnish convenient quarters for the officers and men of the said force and to pay to the British Government all the extra expenses in regard to the said force, which may be incurred by the British Government in consequence of the troops being employed away from their own cantonments and in a foreign territory.
The Lahore Government engages to apply itself immediately and earnestly to the reorganization of its army according to the prescribed conditions, and to communicate fully with the British authorities left at Lahore, as to the progress of such reorganization and as to the location of the troops.
If the Lahore Government fails in the performance of the conditions of the foregoing Article, the British Government shall be at liberty to withdraw the force from Lahore at any time before the expiration of the period specified in Article 1.
The British Government agrees to respect the bona fide rights of those jaghirdars within the territories ceded by Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated the 9th instant, who were attached to the families of the late Maharajahs Ranjit Singh, Kharak Singh, and Sher Singh; and the British Government will maintain those jaghirdars in their bona fide possessions during their lives.
The Lahore Government shall receive the assistance of the British local authorities in recovering the arrears of revenue justly due to the Lahore Government from the kardars and managers in the territories ceded by the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, to the close of the Kharif harvest of the current year, 1902 of the Samvat Bikramajit.
The Lahore Government shall be at liberty to remove from the forts, in the territories specified in the foregoing Article, all treasure and state property, with the exception of guns. Should, however, the British Government desire to retain any part of the said property, they shall be at liberty to do so, paying for the same at a fair valuation, and the British officers shall give their assistance to the Lahore Government in disposing on the spot of such part of the aforesaid property as the Lahore Government may not wish to remove and the British officers may not desire to retain.
Commissioners shall be immediately appointed by the two Governments to settle and lay down the boundary between the two States, as defined by Article 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated 9 March 1846.
| Maharaja Duleep Singh
Bhai Ram Singh, Raja Lal Singh, Sardar Tej Singh, Sardar Chattar Singh Attariwala, Sirdar Runjore Sing Majeethia |
C.T.Metcalfe |
Text of Treaty of Bhayrowal (16 December 1846)
[edit]During the minority of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the Lahore Durbar and leading chiefs of the state formally requested the British Government to assist in the administration of the state. They stated that British support was essential to maintain order and governance. The Governor-General agreed to provide assistance under certain conditions. As a result, a new agreement was drawn up, modifying the earlier treaty signed on 11 March. It was signed on behalf of the British by Frederick Currie, Secretary to the Government of India, and Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Lawrence, Agent to the Governor-General, both authorized by Viscount Hardinge. On behalf of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the agreement was signed by prominent Sikh leaders, including Sardar Tej Singh, Sardar Sher Singh, Diwan Dina Nath, and others, with the unanimous consent of the assembled chiefs at Lahore.
Articles of Agreement concluded between the British Government and the Lahore Durbar on the 16th December 1846.[7]
All and every part of the Treaty of Peace between the British Government and the State of Lahore, bearing date the 9th day of March 1846, except in so far as it may be temporarily modified in respect to Clause 16 of the said Treaty by this engagement, shall remain binding upon the two Governments.
A British Officer, with an efficient establishment of assistants, shall be appointed by the Governor-General to remain at Lahore, which officer shall have full authority to direct and control all matters in every department of the State.
Every attention shall be paid in conducting the administration to the feelings of the people, to preserving the national institutions and customs, and to maintaining the just rights of all classes.
Changes in the mode and details of administration shall not be made except when found necessary for effecting the objects set forth in the foregoing clause, and for securing the just dues of the Lahore Government. These details shall be conducted by Native officers as at present, who shall be appointed and superintended by a Council of Regency composed of leading Chiefs and Sirdars acting under the control and guidance of the British Resident.
The following persons shall in the first instance constitute the Council of Regency: Sirdar Tej Singh, Sirdar Shere Singh Attareewalla, Dewan Deena Nath, Faqeer Nooroodeen, Sirdar Runjore Singh Majethea, Bhaee Nidhan Singh, Sirdar Utter Singh Kaleewalla, and Sirdar Shumshere Singh Sindhanwalla. No change shall be made in the persons thus nominated without the consent of the British Resident, acting under the orders of the Governor-General.
The administration of the country shall be conducted by this Council of Regency in such manner as may be determined on by themselves in consultation with the British Resident, who shall have full authority to direct and control the duties of every department.
A British Force of such strength and numbers, and in such positions as the Governor-General may think fit, shall remain at Lahore for the protection of the Maharajah and the preservation of the peace of the country.
The Governor-General shall be at liberty to occupy with British soldiers any fort or military post in the Lahore territories, the occupation of which may be deemed necessary by the British Government, for the security of the capital or for maintaining the peace of the country.
The Lahore State shall pay to the British Government twenty-two lakhs of new Nanuk Shahee Rupees of full tale and weight per annum for the maintenance of this force and to meet the expenses incurred by the British Government. Said sum to be paid in two instalments: Rs. 13,20,000 in May or June, and Rs. 8,80,000 in November or December of each year.
Inasmuch as it is fitting that Her Highness the Maharani, the mother of Maharajah Duleep Singh, should have a proper provision made for the maintenance of herself and dependants, the sum of one lakh and fifty thousand rupees shall be set apart annually for that purpose and shall be at Her Highness’ disposal.
The provisions of this Engagement shall have effect during the minority of His Highness Maharajah Duleep Singh, and shall cease and terminate on His Highness attaining the full age of sixteen years, or on the 4th September of the year 1854. However, it shall be competent to the Governor-General to cause the arrangement to cease at any period prior to the coming of age of His Highness, should both the Governor-General and the Lahore Durbar be satisfied that British interposition is no longer necessary.
| Maharajah Duleep Singh
Bhai Nidhan Singh, Sardar Tej Singh, Diwan Dina Nath, Fakir Nurudin Rai Kishan Chand, Sardar Uttar Singh Kalliwal, Sardar Lal Singh Morera Sardar Arjan Singh Rangrungella, Sirdar Runjore Sing Majeethia, Sardar Sher Singh Sardar Shamsher Singh, Sardar Khan Singh Majitha, Sardar Kher Singh Sandhawalia |
F. Currie
H. M. Lawrence |
Text of the 1849 Last Treaty of Lahore
[edit]Signed between Duleep Singh and the East India Company following the British conquest of the Punjab, 1849.[17]
Terms granted to the Maharajah Duleep Singh Bahadoor, on the part of the Honourable East India Company, by Henry Miers Elliot, Esq., Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, and Lieut.-Colonel Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, K.C.B., Resident, in virtue of the power vested in them, by the Right Honourable James, Earl of Dalhousie, Knight of the Most Ancient Order of the Thistle, one of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Governor-General, appointed by the Honourable East India Company, to direct and control all their affairs in the East Indies; and accepted, on the part of His Highness the Maiiarajah, by Rajah Tej Singh, Rajah Deena Nath, Bhaee Nidhan Singh, Fakeer Nooroodeen, Gundur Singh, agent of Sirdar Shere Singh Sindunwallah, and Sirdar Lai Singh, agent and son of Sirdar Uttur Singh Kaleewallah, members of the Council of Regency, invested with full powers and authority on the part of His Highness.
I. His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh shall resign for himself, his heirs, and his successors all right, title, and claim to the sovereignty of the Punjab, or to any sovereign power whatever.
II. All the property of the State, of whatever description and Chapter wheresoever found, shall be confiscated to the Honourable East India Company, in part payment of the debt due by the State of Lahore to the British Government and of the expenses of the war.
III. The gem called the Koh-i-Noor, which was taken from Shah Sooja-ool-moolk by Maharajah Runjeet Singh, shall be surrendered by the Maharajah of Lahore to the Queen of England.
IV. His Highness Duleep Singh shall receive from the Honourable East India Company, for the support of himself, his relatives, and the servants of the State, a pension of not less than four, and not exceeding five, lakhs of Company's rupees per annum.
V. His Highness shall be treated with respect and honour. He shall retain the title of Maharajah Duleep Singh Bahadoor, and he shall continue to receive during his life such portion of the above-named pension as may be allotted to himself personally, provided he shall remain obedient to the British Government, and shall reside at such place as the Governor-General of India may select.
Granted and accepted at Lahore on the 29th of March, 1849, and ratified by the Right Honourable the Governor-General on the 5th of April, 1849.
- (Signed)
- Dalhousie—Maharajah Duleep Singh
- H. M. Elliot—Rajah Tej Singh
- H. M. Lawrence—Rajah Deena Nath
- Bhaee Nidhan Singh (Head of the Sikh religion)
- Fakeer Nooroodeen
- Gundur Singh (Agent to Sirdar Shere Singh, Sindunwallah)
- Sirdar Lal Singh (Agent and son of Sirdar Uttur Singh, Kaleewallah)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Articles 2, 3 and 4
- ^ Articles 7 and 8
- ^ Article 9
- ^ Article 12
- ^ All About Sikhs The First Anglo-Sikh War
- ^ Punjab - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 273.
- ^ a b c d Aitchison, C. U. (1930), A Collection of Treaties and Sanads, Vol. 1, Central Publication Branch of the Government of India, pp. 50–54 – via Internet Archive
- ^ Article 1 to 4 of the supplementary Agreement
- ^ kardar: an official entrusted with the collection of tax
- ^ Articles 5 and 6 of the supplementary Agreement
- ^ these were Nanak Shahi Rupaiya, the main currency of the Sikh Empire, named after the first Guru of the Sikhs
- ^ Articles 4 and 5 of the Treaty
- ^ Kashmir Legal Documents Treaty of Amritsar Archived 5 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ All About Sikhs The Treaty of Bhyroval
- ^ Article 2 of the Treaty of Bhyroval
- ^ Articles 4, 5 and 10 of the Treaty of Bhyroval
- ^ Lady Lena Campbell Login (1890). Sir John Login and Duleep Singh. Patiala: Languages Dept, Punjab. pp. 126–27.
