Treaty of Lahore

The Treaty of Lahore was a significant political agreement signed on 9 March 1846 between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire, marking the end of the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846). The treaty symbolised the decline of Sikh sovereignty following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the beginning of British political domination in Punjab. It resulted in substantial territorial losses for the Sikhs, financial indemnities, and the virtual subordination of the Lahore Durbar to the British.

Background

The First Anglo-Sikh War arose from growing tensions between the Sikh army (Khalsa) and the British East India Company after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839. Ranjit Singh had successfully maintained a balance of power between the Sikhs and the British through diplomacy and military strength.
However, after his death, the Sikh Empire entered a period of instability marked by:

• Weak leadership among successive rulers.
• Intrigues at the Lahore court.
• The rising influence and unruliness of the Khalsa army.

British expansion in the northwest frontier and interference in Sikh affairs further strained relations. In December 1845, the Sikh army crossed the Sutlej River, entering British territory, which led to open conflict.
The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought between December 1845 and February 1846, resulting in decisive British victories at Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon. The defeat of the Sikh army at the Battle of Sobraon (10 February 1846) effectively ended the war and compelled the Sikh leadership to seek peace, culminating in the Treaty of Lahore.

Terms and Provisions of the Treaty

The Treaty of Lahore, signed on 9 March 1846, imposed harsh conditions on the Sikh state. The main signatories were Frederick Currie and Brevet-Major Henry Lawrence representing the British, and Lal Singh and Tej Singh representing the Lahore Durbar.
The principal terms of the treaty were as follows:

1. Territorial Cession:
   • The Sikh state ceded vast territories to the British.
   • The regions between the Sutlej and Beas rivers, including Jullundur Doab, were annexed to British India.
   • The Hill territories between the rivers Beas and Indus, including Kangra, were also surrendered.
2. War Indemnity:
   • The Lahore Durbar agreed to pay a war indemnity of 1.5 crore rupees (15 million rupees) to the British Government.
   • As the Sikh treasury could not afford the entire amount, part of the indemnity was compensated through the cession of territory.
3. Reduction of the Sikh Army:
   • The Sikh army was drastically reduced to a limited number of troops to prevent future uprisings.
   • The maximum allowed strength was fixed at 20,000 infantry and 12,000 cavalry.
4. British Residents at Lahore:
   • The British were permitted to station a resident (political agent) and a military force at Lahore to oversee the implementation of the treaty and protect the Maharaja.
5. Recognition of Maharaja Duleep Singh:
   • The British recognised Maharaja Duleep Singh, the minor son of Ranjit Singh, as the ruler of the Punjab.
   • His mother, Maharani Jind Kaur, was to act as regent under British supervision.
6. Non-Interference Clause:
   • The British pledged not to annex Punjab and to respect its independence, provided the Lahore government adhered to the treaty terms.

Supplementary Provisions

A few days later, on 11 March 1846, a Supplementary Treaty was concluded to clarify certain points:

• The Lahore Durbar requested the British to retain their troops temporarily in Punjab until internal order was restored.
• The Lahore government agreed to pay for the maintenance of the British troops stationed in Lahore.
• The British gained increased influence over administrative and military affairs of the Sikh state.

The Cession of Kashmir

As the Lahore government was unable to pay the full indemnity, an additional arrangement was made. Under the Treaty of Amritsar (16 March 1846), signed between the British East India Company and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu, Kashmir was transferred to Gulab Singh in return for a payment of 75 lakh rupees.
This effectively made Gulab Singh the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, while the British secured both money and a friendly princely state on the northern frontier. The sale of Kashmir to Gulab Singh remains one of the most controversial outcomes of the war.

Consequences of the Treaty

The Treaty of Lahore had far-reaching political, economic, and territorial consequences:
1. Loss of Territory:

• The Sikh Empire was reduced to less than half its size, losing valuable territories in the Jullundur Doab and the hill regions.

2. British Political Control:

• Though Punjab nominally remained independent, British control became decisive.
• The appointment of a British Resident at Lahore marked the beginning of direct British interference in Sikh administration.

3. Financial Weakening:

• The heavy war indemnity and loss of revenue-yielding territories crippled the Sikh economy.

4. Military Demoralisation:

• The reduction of the Khalsa army weakened the state’s ability to defend itself, fostering resentment among the Sikh soldiery.

5. Growing British Influence:

• British officers began supervising the administration, training the Sikh army, and advising the Durbar, effectively turning Punjab into a British protectorate.

6. Prelude to Annexation:

• The discontent and political instability following the Treaty of Lahore set the stage for the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849).
• The final annexation of Punjab by the British in 1849 was a direct outcome of the weaknesses imposed by this treaty.

Historical Significance

The Treaty of Lahore is regarded as a turning point in the history of North India. It signified:

• The collapse of the once-powerful Sikh Empire founded by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• The extension of British territorial dominion to the northwest frontier.
• The beginning of British political and military dominance over the Punjab region.

The treaty also illustrated the British strategy of using treaties and diplomacy to achieve control over Indian states before resorting to outright annexation.

Critical Evaluation

While the treaty was presented as a peace settlement, it was, in essence, a punitive and exploitative agreement that reduced the Sikh state to dependency. The British extracted both territorial and financial concessions, ensuring that Punjab would remain weak and subservient.
The Treaty of Amritsar, which followed shortly thereafter, demonstrated the commercial motives underlying British diplomacy, as Kashmir was effectively sold to a local ruler for revenue.
Historians view the Treaty of Lahore as a classic example of British imperialism — a blend of military conquest and political manipulation aimed at securing economic gain and strategic advantage.