British Treaty with Rajputana States

British Treaty with Rajputana States is an important topic in Rajasthan History, highlighting how the British East India Company established control through diplomacy rather than direct conquest. The circumstances responsible for these treaties included internal conflicts among Rajput states and the growing influence of the Marathas. The British made strategic efforts to gain the trust of Rajput rulers and signed separate treaties with different states of Rajasthan. These agreements had a lasting impact, ensuring British dominance while allowing limited internal autonomy to the princely states.

British Treaty with Rajputana States

Circumstances Responsible for Treaties :

The Rajput rulers of Rajasthan sought to sign treaties with the British due to a combination of internal and external pressures:

1. Maratha Interference: With the Mughal Empire’s decline, the Marathas began interfering in Rajasthan, making several incursions into regions like Mewar, Marwar, Hadoti, and Dhundhadi. For example, in 1794, the ruler of Jodhpur, Bhimsingh, invited Maratha commander Lakwa Dada to attack his own territory due to internal disputes.
2. Pindari Threat: The Pindari leaders, like Amir Khan, created terror in Rajasthan. Amir Khan forced the Maharana of Mewar, Bhimsingh, to administer poison to his own daughter, Krishna Kumari. This highlighted the insecurity faced by the Rajput rulers.
3. Inability to Defend: Rajasthan’s rulers were unable to defend their states from external threats like the Marathas and Pindaris. Similarly, the British were struggling to protect their territories from these groups. As a result, the British East India Company recognized the need to protect its own areas and offered a protective alliance to Rajasthan’s rulers.
4. British Defeat of Marathas (3^rdAnglo-Maratha War) : After the British victory (1817–18), Maratha influence waned, and the East India Company became dominant in North India.
5. Economic Weakness: The Rajput states were economically distressed, and the rulers struggled to pay their soldiers, leading to internal rebellions and looting. This situation made the rulers eager to accept British protection, as they sought stability and security.
6. Need for Political Stability : The British wanted a buffer zone of ‘subsidiary allies’ to prevent rebellion and external invasions (Afghan, Sikh threats).

The British and their efforts

• Lord Wellesley (1798-1805):
  Lord Wellesley took interest in the Rajput-Maratha affairs to secure British interests in India. His primary goal was to weaken Maratha power in northern India and form alliances with the Rajputs against the Marathas. He successfully implemented this strategy. However, after his departure from India, British policy towards Rajputana underwent a shift.
• Lord Hastings (1813-1823):
  Lord Hastings aimed to establish British paramountcy in India, which required the suppression of the Marathas and the Pindaris. He viewed the Rajputana states as natural allies in this mission. Charles Metcalf, the British Resident at Delhi, was assigned the task of negotiating treaties with the states of Rajasthan.

Rajputana Residency – In 1818 AD, a political department was established with an objective to establish administrative control over Rajputana, named Rajputana Residency. David Ochterlony was appointed the first Resident of Rajputana of Rajasthan.

Treaties with Different States of Rajasthan 

1. Bharatpur State (29 September 1803 & 10 April 1805)
   • 1803 Treaty: Failed due to mutual distrust.
   • 1805 Treaty: Despite opposition and providing refuge to Holkar, Bharatpur faced four British invasions, losing the fourth, leading to the treaty on 10 April 1805.
2. Alwar State (14 November 1803)
   • The East India Company recognized Alwar’s independent existence and assured non-interference in its internal administration.
   • Alwar supported the British in the ‘Battle of Laswari’ (1803).
3. Jaipur State (12 December 1803)
   • Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh signed a treaty with the Company, but it was annulled in 1805 by the British.
   • The 1816 treaty also failed due to excessive tribute demands.
   • On 2 April 1818, a new treaty strengthened Maharaja Jagat Singh’s position and liberated Jaipur from Marathas and Pindaris.
4. Jodhpur State (22 December 1803)
   • A treaty between Bhim Singh and the Company was annulled after his death.
   • His successor, Man Singh, eventually agreed to pay an annual tribute of ₹1,08,000 and provide 1500 horsemen when required.
5. Tonk State’s creation (17 November 1817)
   • Amir Khan signed a treaty with the British, becoming the independent ruler of Tonk with the title ‘Nawab.’
   • He handed over his army to the British and ceased plundering, ending the Pindari menace and increasing Rajputana’s states to 18.
6. Jhalawar State’s creation (1 April 1838)
   • Internal disputes in Kota led to its division by the British.
   • Seventeen parganas were separated to form the independent state of Jhalawar for the descendants of Jhala rulers, increasing Rajputana’s states to 19.

Terms of the Treaties of 1818 : 

1. Permanent friendship was to be maintained between the East India Company and the contracting states.
2. The Company would protect the contracting states from external invasions and assist in suppressing internal disturbances.
3. The contracting states would acknowledge the supremacy of the Company and cooperate under its authority.
4. The contracting states would not establish political relations or make treaties or wars with other states.
5. The Company would not interfere in the internal administration of the contracting states.

Impact of Treaties:

1. Impact on Rajput Rulers’ Prestige :
   • British mediation became mandatory for resolving external disputes.
   • The political independence of Rajput rulers ended, bringing them under British control.
2. Protection from External Attacks :
   • The states were relieved from Maratha and Pindari invasions.
   • However, this protection came at the cost of British dominance.
3. Economic Decline of States :
   • The appointment of British residents ended Maratha plunder but increased British economic exploitation.
   • To pay tribute to the British, rulers raised existing taxes and imposed new ones.
4. Rebellion Among Feudatories :
   • Rulers attempted to extract more revenue from their feudatories under various pretexts.
   • This led to dissatisfaction among feudatories, causing rebellions and plunder in khalsa areas.
   • The power and influence of feudatories diminished significantly.
5. Increase in Company’s Authority :
   • Indigenous states were burdened with responsibilities without being granted rights.
   • The British started interfering in succession matters.
6. Establishment of New States and Territories :
   • New states like Tonk and Jhalawar were established.
   • Lava, Kushalgarh, and Neemrana were given independent recognition.
7. Rise in Rulers’ Luxury : Rulers became indifferent to governance and indulged in luxury and extravagance.
8. Attack on Feudatories’ Status :
   • The British systematically reduced the importance and influence of feudatories.
   • This culminated in their active participation against the British in the 1857 revolt.
9. Plight of Farmers and Common People : 
   • State expenses increased significantly.
   • Heavy taxes and new land settlements worsened the conditions of farmers and the general populace.

As a result of these treaties, the princely states of Rajasthan came entirely under British subjugation. Rulers were granted nominal independence in internal matters, but external affairs and much of internal administration were controlled by the British. The rulers lost their autonomy and power, becoming accountable only to the British instead of their subjects

Treaties/Agreements between British & Rajputana States

S.No	State	Date of Treaty	Ruler of the State
1	Bharatpur	1803, 1805	Ranjeet Singh
2	Karauli	15 November 1817	Harvakshpal Singh
3	Tonk	17 November 1817	Nawab Amir Khan
4	Kota	26 December 1817	Maharao Ummed Singh
5	Jodhpur	6 January 1818	Maharaja Man Singh
6	Udaipur	13 January 1818	Maharana Bhim Singh
7	Bundi	10 February 1818	Rao Vishnu Singh
8	Bikaner	21 March 1818	Surat Singh
9	Kishangarh	7 April 1818	Kalyan Singh
10	Jaipur	15 April 1818	Sawai Jagat Singh
11	Jaisalmer	2 January 1819	Maharao Moolraj
12	Sirohi	11 September 1823	Maharao Shiv Singh