Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Treaty of Amritsar (1809):
1.It established the Sutlej River as the permanent boundary between the British territories and the Sikh Empire.
2.The treaty forced Ranjit Singh to abandon his dream of unifying all the Sikh-dominated territories, specifically those of the Cis-Sutlej states.
3.It provided the British with a secure northern frontier, allowing them to focus on the Napoleonic threat and their expansion in Central India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct. The treaty was a diplomatic victory for Charles Metcalfe (representing the British). It fixed the Sutlej as the dividing line, with Ranjit Singh promising not to maintain troops on the left bank.
Statement 2: Correct. Ranjit Singh wanted to be the leader of all Sikhs, including those in Patiala, Nabha, and Jind. However, the British took these “Cis-Sutlej” states under their protection, effectively blocking Ranjit Singh’s expansion toward the south and east.
Statement 3: Correct. By neutralizing Ranjit Singh through diplomacy, the British avoided a two-front war. This peace lasted for 30 years, during which Ranjit Singh expanded toward Peshawar, Kashmir, and Multan, while the British consolidated their hold over the rest of India.
