Treaty of Lahore facts for kids
The Treaty of Lahore was an important agreement signed on March 9, 1846. It happened right after the First Sikh War ended. The British army had won a big battle called the Battle of Sobraon. After this victory, they were able to march into the city of Lahore without any more fighting. Once they reached Lahore, the treaty was signed.
The Sikhs, who had lost the war, had to agree to the terms of the treaty with the British. As part of this agreement, they gave up several areas to the British. These areas included Kashmir, Hazara, and the Jalandhar Doab region. A very famous jewel, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, also became British property because of this treaty.
Who Helped Make the Treaty?
An Indian prince named Gulab Singh played a key role. He talked with both the British and the Sikhs to help them agree on how the Sikhs would surrender. Besides giving up land, the Sikhs also had to let a British official, called a British Resident, live in Lahore. They also had to allow a British army group to stay in Lahore and other cities.
What Else Did the Treaty Say?
The treaty also made the Sikhs pay a large sum of money to the British: 1.2 million pounds. Since they couldn't pay all of it, Gulab Singh stepped in. He paid 750,000 pounds to the East India Company, and in return, he was allowed to take control of Kashmir from the Punjab government.
The Sikhs also had to give up the land between two rivers, the Satluj and the Beas, to the British. Their army was made much smaller. Young Duleep Singh was recognized as the new ruler, or Maharaja, of Punjab. However, the new rulers were not allowed to hire any European people without getting permission from the British first.
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