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.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

DOWNLOAD PDF