Treaty between Maharaja Gulab Singh and the Government of India, 16 March 1846

TREATY between the BRITISH GOVERNMENT on the one part and MAHARAJAH GULAB SING of JUMMOO on the other, concluded on the part of the BRITISH GOVERNMENT by FREDERICK CURRIE, ESQUIRE, and BREVET-MAJOR HENRY MONTGOMERY LAWRENCE, acting under the orders of the RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR HENRY HARDINGE, G.C.B., one of HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, GOVERNOR-GENERAL, appointed by the HONOURABLE COMPANY to direct and control all their affairs in the EAST INDIES, and by MAHARAJAH GULAB SING in person, 1846.

ARTICLE 1.

The British Government transfers and makes over for ever, in independent possession, to Maharajah Gulab Sing and the heirs male of his body, all the hilly or mountainous country, with its dependencies, situated to the eastward of the river Indus and westward of the river Ravee, including Chumba, and excluding Lahul, being part of the territories ceded to the British Government by the Lahore State, according to the provisions of Article IV of the Treaty of Lahore, dated 9th March 1846.

ARTICLE 2.

The eastern boundary of the tract transferred by the foregoing Article to Maharajah Gulab Sing shall be laid down by Commissioners appointed by the British Government and Maharajah Gulab Sing respectively for that purpose, and shall be defined in a separate Engagement after survey.

ARTICLE 3.

In consideration of the transfer made to him and his heirs by the provisions of the foregoing Articles, Maharajah Gulab Sing will pay to the British Government the sum of seventy-five lakhs of Rupees (Nanukshahee), fifty lakhs to be paid on ratification of this Treaty, and twenty-five lakhs on or before the first October of the current year, A.D. 1846.

ARTICLE 4.

The limits of the territories of Maharajah Gulab Sing shall not be at any time changed without the concurrence of the British Government.

ARTICLE 5.

Maharajah Gulab Sing will refer to the arbitration of the British Government any disputes or questions that may arise between himself and the Government of Lahore or any other neighbouring State, and will abide by the decision of the British Government.

ARTICLE 6.

Maharajah Gulab Sing engages for himself and heirs to join, with the whole of his Military Force, the British troops, when employed within the hills, or in the territories adjoining his possessions.

ARTICLE 7.

Maharajah Gulab Sing engages never to take or retain in his service, any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British Government.

ARTICLE 8.

Maharajah Gulab Sing engages to respect, in regard to the territory transferred to him, the provisions of Articles V, VI, and VII of the separate Engagement between the British Government and the Lahore Durbar, dated March 11th, 1846.

ARTICLE 9.

The British Government will give its aid to Maharajah Gulab Sing in protecting his territories from eternal enemies.

ARTICLE 10.

Maharajah Gulab Sing acknowledges the supremacy of the British Government, and will in token of such supremacy present annually to the British Government one horse, twelve perfect shawl goats of approved breed (six male and six female), and three pairs of Cashmere shawls.

This Treaty, consisting of ten articles, has been this day settled by Frederick Currie, Esquire, and Brevet-Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence, acting under the directions of the Right Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B.., Governor-General, on the part of the British Government, and by Maharajah Gulab Sing in person; and the said Treaty has been this day ratified by the seal of the Right Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., Governor-General.

Done at Umritsar, the sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, corresponding with the seventeenth day of Rubbee-ool-awul 1262 Hijree.

H. HARDINGE.

F. CURRIE.

H. M. LAWRENCE.

By order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India.

F. CURRIE,

Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor-General.

From: C. U. Aitchison, ed. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads: Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. XII. Calcutta: Government of India Central Publication Branch, 1933, 21-22.