Q. With reference to the relationship between the British and the Sikh state, consider the following statements:
1.The British and Ranjit Singh were both parties to the Tripartite Treaty of 1838, aimed at placing Shah Shuja on the throne of Kabul to counter Russian influence.
2.Despite his military strength, Ranjit Singh followed a policy of cautious avoidance of conflict with the British, famously stating, “I see all India becoming red.”
3.The British violated the spirit of mutual non-interference by occupying Ferozepur in 1835, which Ranjit Singh had long claimed as his territory.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct. The Tripartite Treaty involved the British, Ranjit Singh, and Shah Shuja. However, Ranjit Singh was shrewd; he allowed the British to pass through his territory but refused to let British troops be permanently stationed in Punjab.
Statement 2: Correct. Ranjit Singh was a realist. He observed how the British had swallowed other Indian powers like the Marathas and Mysore. He knew that while he could win a few battles, he could not win a prolonged war against the British resources.
Statement 3: Correct. Ferozepur was strategically located on the banks of the Sutlej. The British unilaterally occupied it and converted it into a military cantonment, which was a direct provocation to Ranjit Singh, though he chose not to go to war over it.
