Treaty of Friendship between the Government of India and Amir Dost Muhammad Khan, Ruler of Kabul, 26 January 1857

ARTICLES of AGREEMENT made at PESHAWUR on the 26th January 1857 (corresponding with Jumadee-ool-Awul, 29th A.H. 1273), between AMEER DOST MOHUMMUD KHAN, RULER of CABOOL and of those countries of AFGHANISTAN now in his possession, on his own part, and SIR JOHN LAWRENCE, K.C.B., CHIEF COMMISSIONER of the PUNJAB, and LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H. B. EDWARDES, C.B., COMMISSIONER Of PESHAWUR on the part of the HONORABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY, under the authority of the RIGHT HONORABLE CHARLES JOHN, VISCOUNT CANNING, GOVERNOR-GENERAL Of INDIA in COUNCIL.

1. Whereas the Shah of Persia contrary to his engagement with the British Government, has taken possession of Herat, and has manifested an intention to interfere in the present possessions of Ameer Dost Mohummud Khan, a there is now war between the British and Persian Governments, therefore Honorable East India Company, to aid Ameer Dost Mohummud Khan, to defend and maintain his present possessions in Balkh, Cabool, and Candahar against Persia, hereby agrees out of friendship to give the said Ameer one lakh of Company's Rupees monthly during the war with Persia on the following conditions:

2. The Ameer shall keep his present number of Cavalry and Artillery, shall maintain not less than 18,000 Infantry, of which 13,000 shall be Regulars divided into 13 Regiments.

3. The Ameer is to make his own arrangements for receiving the money the British treasuries and conveying it through his own country.

4. British Officers, with suitable native establishments and orderlies, shall be deputed, at the pleasure of the British Government, to Cabool or Candahar, or Balkh, or all three places, or wherever an Afghan army be assembled to against the Persians. It will be their duty to see generally that the subsidy granted to the Ameer be devoted to the military purposes for which it is given, to keep their own Government informed of all affairs. They will have nothing to do with the payment of the troops, or advising the Cabool Government; they will not interfere in any way in the internal administration of the country. The Ameer will be responsible for their safety and honorable treatment, while in his country, and for keeping them acquainted with all military and political matters connected with the war.

5. The Ameer of Cabool shall appoint and maintain a Vakeel at Peshawur.

6. The subsidy of one lakh per mensem shall cease from the date on which peace is made between the British and Persian Governments, or at any previous time at the will and pleasure of the Governor-General of India.

7. Whenever the subsidy shall cease the British officers shall be withdrawn from the Ameer's country; but at the pleasure of the British Government, a Vakeel, not a European Officer, shall remain at Cabool on the part of the British Government, and one at Peshawar on the part of the Government of Cabool.

8. The Ameer shall furnish a sufficient escort for the British officers from the British border when going to the Ameer's country, and to the British border when returning.

9. The subsidy shall commence from 1st January 1857, and be payable at the British treasury one month in arrears.

10. The five lakhs of Rupees which have been already sent to the Ameer (three to Candahar and two to Cabool), will not be counted in this Agreement. They are a free and separate gift from the Honorable East India Company. But the sixth lakh now in the hands of the mahajuns of Cabool, which was sent for another purpose, will be one of the instalments under this Agreement.

11. This Agreement in no way supersedes the Treaty made at Peshawar on 30th March 1855 (corresponding with the 11th of Rujjub 1271), by which the Ameer of Cabool engaged to be the friend of the friends and enemy of the enemies of the Honorable East India Company; and the Ameer of Cabool, in the spirit of that Treaty, agrees to communicate to the British Government any overtures he may receive from Persia or the allies of Persia during the war, or while there is friendship between the Cabool and British Governments.

12. In consideration of the friendship existing between the British Government and Ameer Dost Mohummud Khan, the British Government engages to overlook the past hostilities of all the tribes of Afghanistan, and on no account to visit them with punishment.

13. Whereas the Ameer has expressed a wish to have 4,000 muskets given him in addition to the 4,000 already given, it is agreed that 4,000 muskets shall be sent by the British Government to Tull, Whence the Ameer's people will convey them with their own carriage.

JOHN LAWRENCE,

Chief Commissioner.

HERBERT B. EDWARDES,

Commissioner of the Peshawar Division.

From: C. U. Aitchison, ed. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads: Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. XIII. Calcutta: Government of India Central Publication Branch, 1933, 238-239.