==> 1806 TREATY: The Marathas and the Sikhs were the only people who offered stiff resistance to the British and the Afghans. While the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was consolidating his powers, many political events were taking place around him. On the one hand he had to mediate a quarrel between the cheifs of Patiala and Nabha and on the other hand he had to save the face of Jawant Rao Holkar, the Maratha (Marhatta) chief, who had set his sights on whole India.

The British had clashed with the Marathas and had inflicted heavy defeats upon them. They had first taken over Delhi and Agra, defeated Scindia (a Marhatta chief), and driven out the remaining Marhatta chief Jaswant Rao Holkar.

Holkar and his Rohilla ally, Amir Khan, after having failed to obtain any support from the Malwa cheifs, moved to Amritsar. They were being followed by the British commandar, Lord Lake. He had been persuing Holkar and encamped himself on the banks of Beas. While Holkar appealed to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh for help in driving the British back, the British commander made it known to the Maharaja that doing so would extend the Anglo-Marathan hostilities to his domain (Punjab). It created a big problem for the Maharaja. The Sikh Maharaja could not afford to make his state the theatre of war between the Marhattas and the British. That is why he offered to mediate in this treaty.

The Sikh signatories guaranteed that the Holkar's army would leave and they will have nothing to do with them. They allowed Holkar to take whatever possessions he had and recross the Sutlej without being harrased.

This was a smart political move on the part of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. It saved his kingdom from unnecessary bloodshed. It also saved the British face. They really did not want to fight the Sikh ruler.

Below is the complete text of the treaty signed between the East India Company, Ranjeet Singh and Fateh Singh on January 1, 1806. Please note the different spelling used for names in the treaty.

I

Treaty of Friendship and Amity between the Honorable East India Company and Sirdars Runjeet Sing and Futteh Sing - 1806.

Sirdar Runjeet Sing and Sirdar Futteh Sing have consented to the following Articles of Agreement concluded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Malcolm, under the special authority of the Right Honorable Lord Lake, himself duly authorized by the Honorable Sir George Hilaro Barlow, Baronet, Governor General, and Sirdar Futteh Sing, as principal on the part of himself and plenipotentiary on the part of Runjeet Sing.

Article 1.

Sirdar Runjeet Sing and Sirdar Futteh Sing Aloowalia hereby agree that they will cause Jeswunt Rao Holkar to remove with his army to the distance of 30 coss [koh, about one and a half mile] from Amritsar immediately, and will never hereafter hold any further connection with him, or aid or assist him with troops, or in any other manner whatever, and they further agree that they will not in any way molest such of Jewunt Rao Holkar's followers or troops as are desirous of returning to their homes in the Deccan, but, on the contrary will render them every assistance in their power for carrying such intention into execution.

Article 2.

The British Government hereby agrees that in case a pacification should not be effected between the government and Jeswunt Rao Holkar, the British Army shall move from its present encampment on the banks of River Beas as soon as Jeswunt Rao Holkar aforesaid shall have marched with his army to the distance of 30 coss from Amritsar; and that in any Treaty which may hereafter be concluded between the British Government and Jeswunt Rao Holkar, it shall be stipulated that, immediately after the conclusion of the said Treaty, Holkar shall evacuate the territories of the Sikhs and march towards his own, and that he shall in no way whatever injure or destroy such parts of the Sikh country as may lie in his route. The British Government further agrees that as long as the said Chieftains Runjeet Sing and Futteh Sing abstain from holding any friendly connections between the enemies of that Government, or from committing any act of hostility on their own parts against the said Government, the British Armies shall never enter the territories of the said Chieftains, nor, will the British Government form any plans for the seizure or sequestration of their possesions or property.

Dated Ist January, 1806, corresponding with 10th Shawal, 1220 H.E.

Seal of Runnjeet Sing Seal of Futteh Sing

-Ref. Maharaja Duleep Singh Correspondence, pages 641-642, published by Punjabi University, Patiala.

1. Long spear
2. Chakar (round, flat metal ring with sharp edges)
3. Shield
4. Small ax
5. Large ax
6. A gun or sword (not sure as it is covered)

-Ref. "Punjabi Duniya " in its Feb. 1967 issue, Languages Department , Govt. of Punjab.

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[NOTE:- the original copy of this form was written in Hindi language]