Conquest of Sindh: British Annexation & Diplomatic Maneuvers

• Under the leadership of Mir Fath (Fatah) Ali Khan, the Talpuras (Baloch tribe) took total control of Sindh in 1783 and banished the Kallora prince. 
• The then Durani king recognised Mir Fath Khan’s claims, and he was given the order to divide the nation among his brothers, also known as “Char Yar.” 
• The Char Yar: Also known as the Amirs or Lords of Sindh, split up the kingdom among themselves after Mir Fath passed away in 1800.
• Lord Wellesley: In 1799, tried to revive commercial relations with Sindh with a hidden aim to counteract the alliance of the French, Tipu Sultan and Shah Zaman, the monarch of Kabul. 
  • However, Fath Ali Khan, under the influence of Tipu Sultan, ordered the British agent to quit Sindh.
• Treaty of Eternal Friendship: It was signed between Sindh and the British(In 1807) in which both sides agreed to exclude the French from Sindh as well as exchange agents at each other’s court. 
• Treaty of 1832:  William Bentinck sent Colonel Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty with the Amirs. The provisions are as follows: 
  • English travellers and traders would be permitted unrestricted passage through Sindh and the use of the Indus for trade; warships would not be ply, nor would any supplies for warfare be transported.
  • There would be no English merchants settling down in Sindh, and travellers would require passports.
  • The Amirs could change tariff rates if they were deemed excessive, and no tolls or military dues would be demanded
• Lord Auckland: became the Governor General in 1836. 
  • He considered Sindh from the standpoint of preventing a potential Russian invasion of India and hoping to gain the ability to exert counter-pressure on the Afghans.
• Tripartite Treaty of 1838: It was signed between the British, Ranjit Singh and the Shah Shuja with an aim to address the Afghanistan problem
  • Ranjit Singh accepted British mediation in his disputes with the Amirs.
  • Emperor Shah Shuja was to give up sovereign rights in Sindh as long as annual tribute was paid.
• In 1839, the British succeeded in making Sindh accept the Subsidiary Alliance under the threat of a superior force. 
  • Now, troops were to be stationed in Sindh, and the Amirs were to pay for their maintenance. 
  • Also, The Amirs were forbidden from negotiating with foreign governments going forward without the Company’s knowledge.
• After the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42), Amirs were charged with hostility and dissatisfaction against the British. 
  • Later, tensions broke out and Amirs rose in revolt against the English. 
  • However, Sindh capitulated shortly and the Amirs were banished from Sindh. 
• Charles Napier became the first governor of Sindh after it was annexed by the British Empire in 1843, with Governor General Ellenborough in charge.

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