The Treaty of Sugauly, 1816, is a peace treaty or an agreement between the East India Company and Nepal. The then Kathmandu valley was generally regarded as Nepal, while the rest of the kingdom was divided into numerous principalities. Chandra Bahadur Gurung in his book “British medals and Gurkhas” refer to these principalities as ‘baisi’ (twenty two) and ‘choubisi’ (twenty four). He further writes that these prinipalities were ruled by feudal lords, and these were divided on ethnic lines, each having its own language and traditional religious rituals.
On the part of the East India Company, the individual who took part in this agreement was Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw, and on the Nepalese side, the individuals who took part in this agreement were Sri Guru Gujraj Misser and Chandra Sekhar Upadhyay (representing Maharaja Girmaun Jode Bikram Shah Bahadur). The entire purpose of the treaty was to restore the relations of peace between the Rajah of Nepal and the East India Company.
The Treaty of Sugauly, 1816, has a total of nine articles. Each article will be discussed below.
Article 1 : “There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Honourable East India Company and the Rajah of Nipal.”
Article 2 : “The Rajah of Nipal renounces all claim to the lands which were the subject of discussion between the two states before the war, and acknowledges the right of the Honourable Company to the sovereignty of those lands.”
Article 3 : “The Rajah of Nipal hereby cedes to the Honourable East India Company in perpetuity all the undermentioned territories, viz :- First, the whole of the low lands between the rivers Kali and Rapti. Second, the whole of the low lands (with the exception of Bootwul Khass) lying between the Rapti and the Gunduck. Third, the whole of the low lands between the Gunduck and Coosah, in which the authority of the British Government has been introduced, or is in actual course of introduction. Fourth, all the low lands between the rivers Mitchee and the Teesta. Fifth, all the territories within the hills eastward of the river Mitchee including the fort and lands of Nagree and the pass of Nagarcote leading from Morung into the hills, together with the territory lying between that pass and Nagree. The aforesaid territory shall be evacuated by the Gurkha troops within forty days from this date.”
Article 4 : ” With a view to indemnify the Chiefs and Barahdars of the State of Nipal, whose interests will suffer by the alienation of the lands ceded by the foregoing Article, the British Government agrees to settle pensions to the aggregate amount of two lakhs of rupees per annum on such Chiefs as may be selected by the Rajah of Nipal, and in the proportions which the Rajah may fix. As soon as the selection is made, Sunnuds shall be granted under the seal and signature of the Governor General for the pensions respectively.”
Article 5 : “The Rajah of Nipal renounces for himself, his heirs, and successors, all claim to or connection with the countries lying to the west of river Kali and engages never to have any concern with those countries or the inhabitants thereof.”
Article 6 : “The Rajah of Nipal engages never to molest or disturb the Rajah of Sikkim in the possession of his territories; but agrees, if any difference shall arise between the State of Nipal and the Rajah of Sikkim, or the subjects of either, that such differences shall be referred to the arbitration of the British government by which award the Rajah of Nipal engages to abide.”
Article 7 : “The Rajah of Nipal hereby engages never to take or retain in his service any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British Government.”
Article 8 : “In order to secure and improve the relations of amity and peace hereby established the two States, it is agreed that accredited Ministers from each shall reside at the court of the other.”
Article 9 : “This treaty, consisting of nine Articles, shall be ratified by the Rajah of Nipal within fifteen days from this date, and the ratification shall be delivered to Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw, who engages to obtain and deliver the ratificationof the Governor General within twenty days, or sooner, if practicable.”
The details of the treaty were discussed and finalized on 2nd December, 1815, at Sugauli by Lieutenant Colonel Paris Bradshaw. D. D. Ochterlony, the agent of Governor General later recalled, “Received this treaty from Chunder Seekur Opedeea (Chandra Sikhar Upadhyay), agent on the part of the Rajah of Nipal, in the valley of Muckwaunpoor, at half past two o clock p.m. on the 4th of March, 1816, and delivered to him the Counterpart Treaty on behalf of the British Government.”
References –
- Chandra Bahadur Gurung, British Medals and Gurkhas, The Gurkha Memorial Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1998.
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