The Treaty of Punakha - 1910

 

TREATY between HIS EXCELLENCY the RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR GILBERT JOHN ELLIOTT-MURRAY-KYNYNMOP.UCN., DG, .M.S.I., G.M.I.E., G.C.M.G., EARL of MINTO, VICEROY and GOVERNOR-GENER AL of INDIA in COUNCIL and HIS HIGHNESS SIR UGYEN WANGCHUCK, K. C.I.E., MAHARAJA of BHUTAN, 1910.

 

Whereas it is desirable to amend Articles IV and VIII of the Treaty concluded at Sinchula on the llth day of November 1865, corresponding with the Bhootea year Shing Lang, 24th day of the 9th month, between the British Government and the Government of Bhutan, the undermentioned amendments are agreed to on the one part by Mr. C. A. Bell, Political Officer in Sikkim, in virtue of full powers to that effect vested in him by the Right Honourable Sir Gilbert John Elliott-Murray-Kynynmound, P.C., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., G.C.M.G., Earl of Minto, Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council, and on the other part by His Highness Sir Ugyen Wangchuk, K.C.I.E., Maharaja of Bhutan.

The following addition has been made to Article IV of the Sinchula Treaty of 1865. "'The British Government has increased the annual allowance to the Government of Bhutan from fifty thousand rupees (Rs. 50,000) to one hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 1,00,000) with effect from the 10th January 1910."

Article VIII of the Sinchula Treaty of 1865 has been revised and the revised Article runs as follows:

“The British Government undertakes to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan. On its part, the Bhutanese Government agrees to be guided by the advice of the British Government in regard to its external relations. In the event of disputes with or causes of complaint against the Maha Raja of Sikkim and Cooch Behar, such matter will be reffered for arbitration to the British Government which will settle them in such manner as justice may require, and insist upon the observance of its decisiow by the Maharajas named.”

 

 Done in quadruplicate at Punaka, Bhutan, this eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ten, corresponding Bhutia date, and the 27th day of the 11th month of the Earth-Bird (Sa-ja) year.

 

C. A. BELL,                                                                           Seal of Dharrna Raja.

Political Officer          Seal of Political                                               Seal of His Highness the

in Sikkim.                    Officer in Sikkim.                               Maharaja of Bhutan.

8th Jammy 1910,

Seal of Tatsang Lamer

Seal of Tonga Penlop.

Seal of Paro Penlop.

8eal of Timbu Jongpen.

Seal of Punaka Jongpen.

Seal of Wangdu Phodrang

Jongpen.                                 

Seal of Taka Penlop.

See1 of Deb Zimpon.

 

MINTO,

Viceroy and Governor-General of India

 

This treaty was ratified by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council at Fort William, on the twenty-fourth day of March A. D., one thousand nine hundred and ten.

 

S. H. BUTLER,

Secretary to the Govmnment

 of India, Foreign Departmentt,

AGREEMENT entered into by HIGH OFFICER of the BhOOTAN GOVERNMENT for the surrender of the two Guns -1865.

 

AGREEMENT entered into by HIGH OFFICER of the BhOOTAN GOVERNMENT for the surrender of the two Guns -1865.

We, Sam Dorji Deb Zimpon and Themseyrensey Dronyer, the two high officers of the Bhooton Court, will go back to the Deb Raj-11 and fully explain to His Highness about the two guns which fell into the hands of the Bhootea troops on the evacuation of Dewangiree, and obtain His Highness's consent to go to Tongsa about them. If we succeed in getting back the guns by bringing Tongso Penlow to terms, we will either bring the guns back and restore them at Sinnhula, or else cause them to be handed over to the British officers at Dewangire: but if we should unfortunately be unsuccessfnl, one of us will come down to the Representative of the British Government for assistance, and, in the meantime, we agree to explain to His Highness the Deb Rajah that no money payment can be expected under the 4th Article of the Treaty.

We further agree that no money payment under the Treaty shall be due to the Bhootan Government in the event of Mr.Eden at Cheeboo Lama declaring that a second copy of the Treaty extorted from them was left by them in Bhootan, until such time as the said second copy shall be found and surrendered to the Representative of the British Government, and we fully understand and aclcnowledge tbat, until the two British guns are restored, no money payment under the Treaty will be due to the Bhootan Government.

 Done this 10th day of November 1865, corresponding aith 23rd-9th month, Bhootea year Shing Lug, or one day previous to the date fixed for the formal signature of the Treaty in Public Darbar at Sinchula.

Samdrup Dorji Deb Zimpon

Damcho Rinchen Dronyer

 

Treaty between His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Jonh Lawrence,G.CB., K.C.S.I., Viceroy and Governor General of Her Britannic Majesty ‘s possession in the east Indies, and Their Highnesses the Dharma and Deb Rajas of Bootan.

 Treaty between His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Jonh Lawrence,G.CB., K.C.S.I., Viceroy  and Governor General  of Her Britannic Majesty ‘s  possession in the east Indies, and  Their  Highnesses the  Dharma  and Deb  Rajas of  Bootan concluded on the one part by Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Bruce  C.B ., by virtue of full powers to that effect vested in him by the Viceroy and Governor-General and on the other part by Sam  Dorji Deb Zimpon and Themseyrensey Dronyer according to full powers conferred on them by the Dharma an d Deb  Rajas,- 1865.

Article 1: There shall henceforth be perpetual peace and friendship between, the British Government and the Government of Bhootan.

Article 2: Whereas in consequence of repeated aggressions of the Bhootan Government and of the refusal of that Government to afford satisfaction for those aggressions, and of their insulting treatment of the officers sent by His Excellency the Governor- General in Council for the purpose of procuring an amicable adjustment of difference existing between the two States, the British Government has been compelled to seize by an armed force the whole of the Doars and certain Hill Posts protecting the passes into Bhootan and whereas the Bhootan Government has now expressed its regret for past misconduct and a desire for the establishment of friendly relations with the British Government, it is hereby agreed that the whole of the tract known as the Eighteen Doars, bordering on the Districts of Rangpoor, Cooch Behar, and Assam, together  with the Talook of Ambaree Fallacottah and the Hill territory on the left bank of the Teesta up to such points as may be laid down by the British Commissioner appointed for the purpose is ceded by the Bhootan Government to the British Government for ever.                                                                                                                    

Article 3: The Bhootan Governnlent hereby agree to surrender all British subjects as well as subjects of the Chiefs of Sikkim and Cooch Bebar who are now detained in Bhootan against their will, and to place no impediment in the way of the return of all or any of such persons into British territory.

Article 4: In consideration of the cession by the Bhootan Government of the territories specified in Article 2 of this Treaty, and of the said Government having expressed its regret for past misconduct, and having hereby engaged for the future to restrain all evil-disposed persons from committing crimes within British territory or the territories of the Rajahs of Sikkim and Cooch Behar and to give prompt and full redress for all such crimes which may be committed in defiance of their commands, the British Government agree to make an annual allowance to the Government of Bhootan of a sum not exceeding fifty thousand rupees (Rupees 50,000) to be paid to officer  not below the rank of Jungpen, who shall be deputed by the Government of Bhootan to receive the same. And it is further hereby agreed that the payments shall be made as specified below:

On the fulfilment by the Bhootan Governrnent of the contributions of their Treaty twenty-five thousand rupees (Rupees 25,000).

On the 10th January following the 1st payment. thirty-five thousand rupees. (Rupees  35,000).

On the 10th January following forty-five thousand rupees (Rupees 45,000).

On every succeeding 10th January fifty-five thousand rupees (Rupees 30,000).

Article 5: The British Government will hold itself at liberty at any time to suspend the payment of this compensation money either in whole or in part in the event of misconduct on the part of the Bhootan Government or its failure to check the aggression of its subjects or to comply with the provisions of this Treaty.

Article 6: The British Government hereby agree, on demand being duly made in writing by the Bhootan Government, to surrender, under the provisions of Act VII of 1854, of which a copy ,shall be furnished to the Bhootan Government, all Bhootanese subjects accused of any of the following crimes who may take refuge in British dominions. The crimes are murder, attempting to murder, rape, kidnapping, great personal violence, naming, dacoity, thuggee, robbery, burglar, knowingly receiving property obtained by dacoity, robbery. or burglary, cattle stealing, breaking and entering a dwelling house and stealing therein, arson, setting fire to village, house, or town, forgery or uttering forged documents, counterfeiting current coin, knowingly uttering base or counterfeit coin, perjury, subornation of perjury, embezzlement by public officers or other persons, and being an accessory to any of the above offences.

Article 7: The Bhootan Government hereby agree, on requisition being duly made by or by the suthority of, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, to surrender any British subjects accused of any of the crimes specified in the above Article who may take refuge in tbe territory under the jurisdiction of the Bhootan Government, and also any Bhootanese subjects who, after commiting any of the above crimes in British territory, sball flee into Bhootan, on such evidence of their guilt being produced as shall satisfy the Local Court of the district in which the offence map have been committed.

Article 8: The Bhootan Government hereby agree to refer to the arbitration of the British Government all disputes with, or causes of complaint against, the Rajahs of Sikkim and Cooch Behar, and to abide by the decision of the British Government; and the British Government hereby engage to enquire into and settle all such disputes and complaints in such manner as justice may require, and to insist on the observance of the decision by the Rajahs of Sikkim and Cooch Behar.

Article 9: There shall be free trade and commerce between the two Governments. No duties shall be levied on Bhootanese goods imported into British territories nor shall the Bhootan Government levy any duties on British goods imported into, or transported through, the Bhootan territories. Bhootanese subjects residing in British territories shall have equal justice with British subjects, and British subject

residing in Bhootan shall have equal justice with the subjects of the Bhootan Government.

Article 10: The present Treaty of ten Articles having been concluded at Sinchula on the 11th day of November 1865, corresponding with the Bhootea year Shim Lung 24th day of the 9th month, and signed and sealed by Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Bruce, C.B., and Sam Dorji Deb Zimpon and Themseyrensey Dronyer, the ratifications of the same by His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General or His

Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General in Council and by Their Highnesses the Dharma and Deb Rajahs shall be mutually delivered within thirty days from this date.

H. BRUCE, Lieut.-Col.,

Chief Civil and Political Officer,

In Dabe Nagi

In Bhootea language.

This Treaty was ratified on the 29th November 1865 in Calcutta by me.

25th January 1866                                                                  JOHN LAWRENCE,

Governor-General

Translation of the Document which Mr. Eden signed under compulsion

 Translation of the Document which Mr. Eden signed under compulsion

Agreement

THAT from to-day there shall always be friendship between the Feringees (English) and the Bhotanese. Formerly the Dhurma Raja and the Company's Queen were of one mind, and the same friendship exists to the present day. Foolish men on the frontier having caused a disturbance, certain men belonging to the British power, living on the frontier have taken Bulisusan (Julpigorie?) between Cooch Behar and the Kam Raja, and Ambnree, near the border of Sikkim, and then between Banska and Goalparah, Rangamuttee, Bokalibaree, Motteeamaree, Papareebaree, Arioetta, and then the seven Eastern Dooars. Then certain bad men on the Bhoteah side stole men, cattle, and other property, and committed thefts and robberies, and the Feringees' men plundered property and burnt down houses in Bhotan. By reason of these bad men remaining, the ryots suffered great trouble; and on this account the Governor-General, with a good intention, sent an envoy, Mr. Eden, with letters and presents, and sent with him Cheeboo Lama, the Minister of Sikkim and on their coming to the Dharma and Deb Rajas, making petition, a settlement to a permanent nature has been made by both parties. The Dhurma Raja will send one agent to the east and one to the west; when they shall arrive on the frontier of the Company's territory, they shall, after an interview with the Feringees’s agents, receive back the tracts above mentioned belonging to Bhotan, and af'ter these shall be given back, and on full proof being given against persons charged with cattle stealing, &c., the feringees will surrender such offenders to the Bhotanese, and the Bhotanses will in like manner surrender offenders to the feringees. After that each will take charge of his own territory, look after his own ryots, and remain on friendly terms, and commit no aggressions, and the subjects of either State going into the neighbouring State shall be treated as brothers.         

If, notwithstanding, any bad men on either side shall commit any aggression, the rulers of in which the offender lives shall seize and punish him. And as Cheeboo Lama is the interpreter between the Feringees .and the Bhoteahs, the Sikkimese are therefore henceforth to assist the Bhoteahs. We have written above that the settlement is permanent; but who knows, perhaps this settlement is made with one word in the mouth and two in the heart. If, therefore, this settlement is false, the Dhurma Raja's demons (names omitted) will, after deciding who is true or false, take his life, and take out his liver and scatter it to the minds like ashes. The Bhotan army will take possession of Sikkim, and if the Raja of Cooch Behar shall attempt to take any land belonging to Bhotan, the Bhotan Government, the Sikkim Government, and the Company will invade Cooch Behar. If the Feringees attempt to take land from Bhotan, the Bhoteahs, Sikkim, and Beharees will invade the Company's territory; and if the Behar Raja shall invade Sikim, the Bhotanese, Sikkimese, and the Company shall invade Behar. Whichever of the four States, Bhotan, Feringree, Behar, Sikkim, commit the place aggression, the other three, shall punish it; and if, whilst this agreement remains, any other enemy shall arise to any of the States, the others shall all assist him. This agreement is made between the Feringees and the Bhotanese.  And this is the seal of the Dhurma and Deb Rajas.

Seal here attached.

 

(Signed)            ASHLEY EDEN.

(Under Compulsion.)                                         

Bogle’s Treaty with the Deb Raja of Bhutan in 1775 .

 

Bogle’s Treaty with the Deb Raja of Bhutan in 1775[1].

The operative part of the treaty with Bhutan contained the following provisions: -

"That the Bhutanese shall enjoy the privilege of trading to Rangpur as formerly, and shall also be allowed to proceed either themselves or by their goomastas to all places in Bengal for the purpose of trading and selling their horses free from duty or hindrance.

"That the duty hitherto exacted at Rangpur from the Bhutan be henceforth abolished. 

"That the Deb Raja shall allow all Hindu and Mussalman merchants freely to pass and repass through his country between Bengal and Tibet.

"That no English or European merchants shall enter the Deb Raja's dominions.

"That the exclusive trade in sandal, indigo, red skin, tobacco, betelnut and pan shall remain with the Bhutanese and that the merchants be prohibited from importing the same into the Deb Raja's dominions; and that the Governor-General shall confirm this in regard to indigo by an order to Rangpur".

However, during the negotiations at Tashichhodzong, Dronyer of the Desi raised the issue that Rajas of Cooch Behar used to pay tribute to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal annually in the past. He said that this tradition should resume again. He said that Desi of Bhutan received complain from Raja of Cooch Behar that he was not able to pay the revenue to the Company. He further informed Bogle that the Drungpa of Buxa buy dried fish and oil from Cooch Behar. The price for items was raised. Mr. Bogle suggested the Dronyer to come to Calcutta and have a discussion with Governor General for he did not have any say on this issue.

---

[1] A. Deb in Bulletin of Tibetology

ARTICLES OF THE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY AND THE DEB RAJA OF BHUTAN-1774

 

Articles of the treaty of peace BETWEEN THE Honourable east India  

 Company and THE DEB Raja of Bhutan-1774

1st. That the Honorable Company, wholly from consideration for the distress to which the Bhootans represented themselves to be reduced, and from the desire of living in peace with their neighbors, will relinquish all the lands which belonged to the Deb Rajah before the commencement of the war with the Rajah of Cooch Behar, namely, to the eastward, the lands of  Chitchacotta 'and Pangola-haut, and to the westward, the land of Kyruntee, Marragaut, and Luckypoor.

2nd. That for the possession of the Chitchacotta Province, the Deb Rajah shall pay an annual tribute of five Tangun horses to the Honorable Company, which was the acknowledgment paid to the Behar Raja.

3rd. That the Deb Rajah shall deliver up Dhujinder Narain, Rajah of Cooch Behar, together with his brother the Dewan Deo, who is confined with him.

4th. That the Bhootans, being merchants, shall have the same privilege to trade as formerly, without the payment of duties, and their caravan shall be allowed to go to Rungpoor annually.

5th. That the Deb Raja shall never cause incursion to be made into the county, nor in any respect whatever molest the ryots, that have come under the Honorable Company's subjection.

6th. That if any ryot or inhabitant whatever shall desert from the Honorable Company's territories, the Deb Rajah shall cause him to be delivered up immediately upon application being made for him.

7th. That in case the Bhootans, or any one under the government the Deb Rajah, shall have any demands upon, or disputes with, any inhabitant of these or any part of the Company’s territories, they shall prosecute them only by an application to the Magistrate, who shall reside here for the administration of justice.

8th. That whatever the Sunyasies are considered by the English an enemy, the Deb Rajah shall not allow any body of them to take shelter in any part of the districts now given up, nor permit them to enter the Honorable Company's territories, or through any part of his, and if the Bhootans shall not of themselves be able to drive them out, they shall give information to the Resident, on the part of the English, in Cooch Behar, and they shall not consider the English troops pursuing the Sunyasies into those districts, any breach of this Treaty.

9th. That in case the Honorable Company shall have occasion for cutting timber from any part of the woods under the Hills, they shall do it duty free, and the people they send shall be protected.

10th. That there shall be a mutual release of prisoners. This Treaty to be signed by the Honorable President and Council of BengaI, and the Honorable Company's seal to be affixed on the one part, and to be signed and sealed by the Deb Rajah on the other part.

 

Signed and ratified at Fort William, the 25tb April 1774.

 

(Signed)          Warren Hastings.

 

SEAL

Signed             William Aldensey

 

Signed             P.M. Dancres

 

Signed             J. Laurell

 

Signed             Henry Goodwin

 

Signed             J. Graham

 

Signed             George Vansittart

 

Signed             J.P. Auriol Assistant Secretary

 

Translation of the Agreement signed Between the Bhutanese Officials and Captain Francis Jekins on 2d June, 1836.

 Translation of the Agreement signed Between the Bhutanese Officials and Captain Francis Jekins on 2d June, 1836.

 

1. The Zeenkafs engage that the Bootan Government makes every possible exertion to put down the system of dacoity which has so long prevailed amongst the inhabitants of the Dooars.

2. Should however any aggression be committed by the inhabitants of the Dooars, the offenders shall be delivered up by Soobahs, on receiving the Perwannahs of the Magistrates to that effect, and on their failure to seize the offenders, the Police of the British Government shall have access to the Dooars in search of the culprits.

3. The Zeenkafs engage for the due yearly delivery of the tribute due from all the Dooars to the respective Collectors of Kamroop and Durrung.

4. To secure the due payment of the tribute, a Zeenkaf shall be deputed to make the collections in person, and pay them over himself to the Collectors of Kamroop and Durrung, and the appointment of Suzawals on the part of the British Government shall cease.

5. And in case of any arrears again accumulating, to the amount of one year's tribute, the British Government shall be at liberty to attach the Dooars in arrears, and to hold the same, and to collect the revenue thereof until the arrears have been fully liquidated.

6. The Zeenkafs will provide for the settlement of all existing arrears, after an examination of accounts with the Collectors and agreeable to the decision of the Governor General's Agent on any disagreement.

7. The Governor General's Agent agrees on this Ikrar Nameh being completed to give up Buxa Dooar, * that the revenue which has been collected from it during the time it has been attached shall be carried to the account of the outstanding arrears.

8. If any individuals, inhabitants of the Dooars, commit dacoities, murders, or other heinous offences in the Dooars, and take refuge in the British territory, such officers shall be delivered up to the Booteah officers on their demanding and identifying them.

(Signed)

- Bazub Rin Sen Zeenkaf, on the part of the Dhurma Rajah.

- Kasung Gampa Chamta Zeenkaf, on the part of the Deb Rajah.

- Poongtakee Zeenltaf, on the part of the Tongsoh Piloo.

- Khamakepah Zeenkaf, on the part of the Dhurma Rajah's Father, Dimsee Soozee.

- F. Jenkins, Governor General's Agent.

Source: Pemberton’s Report 1837-38