1 MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH. 879
2 Mahardjé anything to do with it; but.it taught the Mahardj& the value of — ‘the Maharijiis
3 British discipline, and from that moment {he Sikh monarch used every yg ee SF br
4 means in his power to introduce such discipline into his own army. tish mulitary disetp-
5 Ranjit Singh, now seeing the danger of further protracting the negotia-~ =~
6 tions, and feeling that the British Government was in earnest, and in
7 no way to be turned from its resolution, at length awoke to the neces-
8 sity of a speedy settlement with that Power. He also saw that his own
9 authority in the Panjdb could hardly be said to be yet firmly established,
10 and was fully sensible that the still independent chiefs of the Panjdb
11 might shake, off their allegiance to him and go over to the side of the
12 English at any moment. All chance of establishing an empire would then
13 be lost, his lofty aspirations effectually humbled, and he himself involved in
14 hostilities with a Power which he very well knew he was incapable of effec-
15 tually opposing in the field. He, therefore, prudently made up his mindat |
16 once to withdraw his forces from the south of the Sutlej, as required by the | We withdrawns his
17 British authorities. There can be no doubt that, had Colonel Ochterlony by bre suttei, pe comet
18 not been sent to the aid of the Cis-Sutlej States beyond the Jamna, backed up
19 by British troops, another raid across the Sutlej would have established the
20 Mahardja’s power more firmly than ever, and would have enabled him to treat
21 the dictating authority of the British Government with disdain. Thanks to
22 this timely movement, and to Mr. Metcalfe’s mission, conducted with diplo-
23 matic ability, patient firmness and determination, which never failed him,
24 even under the darkest aspect of affairs, a treaty was concluded at Amritsar
25 on 25th April 1809, by which Ranjit Singh agreed not to attempt conquest, OF | And concludes.
26 occupy territory south of the Sutlej, and to withdraw all claims of sove- apne
27 reignty over the Sikhs inhabiting that territory.* From this time until
28 the annexation of the Panjab by the British in 1845, the history of the
29 Cis-Sutlej States merged into that of the Empire of Hindostéu, and
30 remained distinct from the new kingdom founded at Lahore by the restless
31 ambition of Ranjit Singh, who found ample field for his aspirations in the -
32 * Treaty between the British Government and Rdjé Ranjit Singh of Lahore.
33 Whereas certain differences which had arisen betweer the British Government. and the Raja
34 of Lahore have been happily and amicably adjusted, and both parties being anxious to main-
35 tain the relations of perfect amity and concord, the following articles of treaty, which shall be
36 binding on the heirs and successors of the two parties, have been concluded by Raid Ranjit
37 Singh on his own part, and by the agency of Charles ‘Theophilus Metcalfe, Esquire, on the part
38 of the British Government.
39 Anricie I.—Perpetual friendship shall subsist between the British Government and the Treaty of 1809
40 State of Lahore. The latter shall be considered, with respect to the former, to be on the :
41 footing of most favcured powers ; and the British Government will have no concern with the
42 territories and subjects of the rijé to the northward of the river Sutlej. ¥ :
43 ArticuE [.—The Raja will never maintain in the territory occupied by him and his depen-
44 dents on the ieft bank of the river Sutlej more troops than are necessary for the internal
45 duties of that territory, nor commit or suffer any encroachments on the possessions and rights
46 of the chiefs in its vicinity.
47 ARTICLE ILI.—In the event of a violation of any of the preceding articles or of a depar-
48 ture from the rules of friendship on the part of either State, this treaty shall be considered to
49 be null and void.
50 Arriciy 1V.—Relates to the ratification of the treaty by His Excellency the Governor-
51 General in Council.
52 Seal and signature of | Signature and seal of
53 t = . =
54 C. ‘f. Mretoatrr. J Raga RANJIT SINGH.
55 Compan y’s (Sd.) MINTO.
56 Seal.
57 Ratifed atyetnyaqie Singir} ielGprary on 80th May 1885 m qhariElibrary@ gmail.com