Formation of J&K — Treaties of Lahore & Amritsar (1846)
1. After Ranjit Singh's Death
- Ranjit Singh died in 1839.
- Succeeded by weak rulers:
- Kharak Singh
- Sher Singh
- Nao Nihaal Singh
- Duleep Singh
- During Duleep Singh's period, actual command was under his mother, Jind Kaur.
- Jind Kaur gave undue support to Jawahir Singh & Lal Singh (wazir).
- She never supported Dogras.
2. 1st Anglo-Sikh War (1845 - 1846)
- Between: Sikhs and the English (EIC) army.
- Sikhs were defeated.
IMPORTANT BATTLES
- Battle of Firozpur
- Battle of Sobraon
CAUSES OF THE WAR
- Immediate Cause: Crossing of the River Sutlej by Sikhs (violation of the Treaty of Amritsar 1809).
- Actual Causes:
- After the conquest of Sindh (1842), the English army was motivated by impending war against Sikhs.
- The English had developed secret contacts with Gulab Singh, Tej Singh, Lal Singh.
- The English wanted to take advantage of the crises after the death of Ranjit Singh.
REASONS BEHIND SIKHS' DEFEAT
- Gulab Singh joined in later stages (also made a secret pact with the English).
- Lal Singh & Tej Singh fled before the final battles.
- The English army was better equipped with arms & ammunition.
3. Treaty of Lahore (9th March, 1846)
- Between: Maharaja Duleep Singh (Sikhs) & the British
- 1.5 crore rupees indemnity was imposed on the Sikh Empire.
- All claims south of the River Sutlej were lost by Punjab state.
- Hilly territories (incl. Jalandhar Doab area) were lost by the Sikh Empire.
- A British Resident was kept at Lahore.
NOTE
- The Punjab State was unable to pay 1.5 crore indemnity; thus instead ceded some areas to the English as well.
4. Treaty of Amritsar (16th March, 1846)
- Between: Gulab Singh & the British EIC.
- Signed on behalf of British EIC:
- Frederick Currie Bernett
- Major Lawrence
- Governor General of EIC: Henry Hardinge
- After this treaty, Gulab Singh became Maharaja of J&K.
PROVISIONS — 10 ARTICLES
- Article 1: Area between eastward of Indus river and westward of Ravi river (incl. Chamba and excl. Lahore) → given to Gulab Singh
- Article 2: Setting of boundaries
- Article 3: Gulab Singh will pay 75 lakh NanakShahi rupees (50 lakh on ratification and remaining 25 lakh before 1st October 1846)
- Article 4: Limits of territories of Gulab Singh shall NOT be changed without concurrence of British govt.
- Article 5: In case of any dispute between Gulab Singh and neighbouring states, the British govt. will be the final arbitrary power.
- Article 6: Maharaja will join his military force with British troops whenever the need arises.
- Article 7: Maharaja will never engage with any recruitment without the consent of the British govt.
- Article 8: Maharaja must respect Articles 5, 6, 7
- Article 9: In case of external threat, British govt. will provide all support.
- Article 10: Maharaja acknowledges the supremacy of the British govt. by presenting annually:
- 1 horse
- 12 perfect shawl goats (6 males + 6 females) of approved breed
- 3 pairs of Kashmiri shawl
KEY NOTES ON ARTICLES
- External threat: By the British govt.
- Internal threat: By Maharaja himself
- During the 1857 Revolts, Maharaja Gulab Singh supported the British govt. and sealed the boundary of J&K.
5. Treaty of Amritsar as a "Sale Deed"
- To reward Gulab Singh because of his non-participation in the 1st Anglo-Sikh War.
- It may have been the result of some sort of pre-war deal.
- Beneficiaries: Both British and Gulab Singh
- Losers: Sikhs & People of Kashmir
- Kashmiris were never allowed to offer a bid.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TREATY OF AMRITSAR
- Dogra rule established in J&K
- Gulab Singh became the 1st Maharaja of the state
- Unification of 3 parts of modern J&K — Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
KEY NOTE
- The foundation of Jammu and Kashmir State was laid by the Treaty of Amritsar on March 16th, 1846.
6. Dogra Dynasty (1846 - 1947)
- Dogra Dynasty ruled from 1846 to 1947.
- Founded by Maharaja Gulab Singh.
7. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Ranjit Singh died in which year?
- A) 1837
- B) 1839
- C) 1841
- D) 1845
Q2. The 1st Anglo-Sikh War was fought between:
- A) Sikhs and Afghans
- B) Sikhs and the British (EIC)
- C) Sikhs and Dogras
- D) British and Afghans
Q3. The 1st Anglo-Sikh War took place from:
- A) 1845-46
- B) 1845-46
- C) 1845-46
- D) 1845-46
Q4. The Treaty of Lahore was signed on:
- A) 16th March 1846
- B) 9th March 1846
- C) 25th April 1809
- D) 16th November 1846
Q5. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on:
- A) 9th March 1846
- B) 16th March 1846
- C) 25th April 1809
- D) 16th November 1846
Q6. The Treaty of Amritsar (1846) was signed between:
- A) Maharaja Duleep Singh and the British
- B) Gulab Singh and the British EIC
- C) Ranjit Singh and the British
- D) Jind Kaur and the British
Q7. Who signed the Treaty of Amritsar on behalf of the British EIC?
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- A) Lord Dalhousie
- B) Frederick Currie Bernett & Major Lawrence
- C) Henry Hardinge
- D) Lord Bentinck
Q8. The Governor General of the British EIC at the time of the Treaty of Amritsar was:
- A) Lord Dalhousie
- B) Henry Hardinge
- C) Lord Canning
- D) Lord Bentinck
Q9. The Treaty of Lahore imposed an indemnity of:
- A) 50 lakh NanakShahi rupees
- B) 1.5 crore rupees
- C) 75 lakh NanakShahi rupees
- D) 1 crore rupees
Q10. As per the Treaty of Amritsar, Gulab Singh had to pay:
- A) 50 lakh NanakShahi rupees
- B) 75 lakh NanakShahi rupees
- C) 1.5 crore rupees
- D) 1 crore rupees
Q11. According to Article 1 of the Treaty of Amritsar, which area was given to Gulab Singh?
- A) Area between Sutlej and Beas
- B) Area between eastward of Indus river and westward of Ravi river
- C) Area between Chenab and Jhelum
- D) Area between Ravi and Beas
Q12. Which Article of the Treaty of Amritsar states that the limits of Gulab Singh's territories cannot be changed without British concurrence?
- A) Article 3
- B) Article 4
- C) Article 5
- D) Article 6
Q13. According to the Treaty of Amritsar, the British govt. would be the final arbitrary power in disputes between Gulab Singh and neighbouring states under:
- A) Article 4
- B) Article 5
- C) Article 6
- D) Article 7
Q14. As per Article 10 of the Treaty of Amritsar, Gulab Singh had to present annually to the British:
- A) 1 elephant and 10 shawl goats
- B) 1 horse, 12 shawl goats, and 3 pairs of Kashmiri shawl
- C) 2 horses and 5 pairs of shawl
- D) 1 horse and 5 shawl goats
Q15. The 1st Anglo-Sikh War was immediately caused by:
- A) British conquest of Sindh
- B) Crossing of River Sutlej by Sikhs
- C) Death of Ranjit Singh
- D) Secret contacts with Gulab Singh
Q16. The Treaty of Lahore was signed between:
- A) Maharaja Duleep Singh and the British
- B) Gulab Singh and the British
- C) Ranjit Singh and the British
- D) Jind Kaur and the British
Q17. The Treaty of Amritsar is often referred to as a:
- A) Peace Treaty
- B) Sale Deed
- C) Friendship Treaty
- D) Alliance Treaty
Q18. The Treaty of Amritsar resulted in the unification of which three parts of modern J&K?
- A) Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri
- B) Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
- C) Jammu, Ladakh, Baltistan
- D) Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit
Q19. The Dogra Dynasty ruled J&K from:
- A) 1808-1947
- B) 1846-1947
- C) 1816-1947
- D) 1822-1947
Q20. The foundation of Jammu and Kashmir State was laid by:
- A) Treaty of Lahore (1846)
- B) Treaty of Amritsar (1846)
- C) Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
- D) Treaty of Lahore (1809)
8. Summary: Formation of J&K at a Glance
| Event | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ranjit Singh's Death | 1839 | Followed by weak rulers; Jind Kaur as regent |
| 1st Anglo-Sikh War | 1845-46 | Sikhs defeated; Battles of Firozpur & Sobraon |
| Treaty of Lahore | 9 March 1846 | Duleep Singh & British; 1.5 crore indemnity |
| Treaty of Amritsar | 16 March 1846 | Gulab Singh & British; 75 lakh payment; Dogra rule established |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Ranjit Singh's Death: 1839 — followed by weak rulers
- 1st Anglo-Sikh War: 1845-46 — immediate cause: crossing of Sutlej
- Treaty of Lahore: 9 March 1846 — 1.5 crore indemnity; British Resident at Lahore
- Treaty of Amritsar: 16 March 1846 — between Gulab Singh and British EIC
- British Signatories: Frederick Currie Bernett & Major Lawrence
- Governor General: Henry Hardinge
- Gulab Singh's Payment: 75 lakh NanakShahi rupees
- Annual Tribute: 1 horse, 12 shawl goats, 3 pairs of Kashmiri shawl
- Treaty as "Sale Deed": Reward for non-participation in 1st Anglo-Sikh War
- Dogra Dynasty: 1846-1947 — founded by Gulab Singh
- Unification: Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
- 1857 Revolts: Gulab Singh supported the British
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Formation of J&K)
Q1. Ranjit Singh died in which year?
Correct Answer: B. Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was followed by a succession of weak rulers including Kharak Singh, Sher Singh, Nao Nihaal Singh, and Duleep Singh.
Q2. The 1st Anglo-Sikh War was fought between:
Correct Answer: B. The 1st Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) was fought between the Sikhs and the British East India Company. The Sikhs were defeated.
Q3. The Treaty of Lahore was signed on:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9th March 1846 between Maharaja Duleep Singh and the British East India Company.
Q4. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on 16th March 1846 between Gulab Singh and the British East India Company.
Q5. The Treaty of Amritsar (1846) was signed between:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed between Gulab Singh and the British East India Company, making Gulab Singh the Maharaja of J&K.
Q6. The Treaty of Lahore imposed an indemnity of:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Lahore imposed a 1.5 crore rupees indemnity on the Sikh Empire, which they were unable to pay.
Q7. According to Article 1 of the Treaty of Amritsar, which area was given to Gulab Singh?
Correct Answer: B. Article 1 of the Treaty of Amritsar gave Gulab Singh the area between the eastward of the Indus river and the westward of the Ravi river.
Q8. The Treaty of Amritsar is often referred to as a:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Amritsar is often referred to as a "Sale Deed" because it was used to reward Gulab Singh for his non-participation in the 1st Anglo-Sikh War.
Q9. The Treaty of Amritsar resulted in the unification of which three parts of modern J&K?
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Amritsar resulted in the unification of three parts of modern J&K — Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh.
Q10. The Dogra Dynasty ruled J&K from:
Correct Answer: B. The Dogra Dynasty ruled J&K from 1846 to 1947, founded by Maharaja Gulab Singh after the Treaty of Amritsar.