Downfall of Talpur Dynasty and British Annexation of Sindh: a Critical Review of British- Talpur Treaties
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WALIA journal 35(1): 132-139, 2019 Available online at www.Waliaj.com ISSN 1026-3861 © 2019 WALIA Downfall of Talpur dynasty and British annexation of Sindh: A critical review of British- Talpur treaties Bashir Ahmed *, Summer Sultana Department of Political Science, University Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan Abstract: The British rule in Indian sub-continent had been expanding. More and more Inidan states were being conquered by them. The diversion of British imperialistic interest towards western boundaries moved them into Sindh (now a province of Pakistan), where various tribes lived. To mention the names of some, Kalhora, Talpur, Soomro, Bhutto, Laghari, Zardari, Jatoi etc. were some of the very famous tribes. This study is focused on one of the mighty ruling tribe, the Talpurs. The study is a critical analysis of the mutual agreements and treaties between the British east India Company and Talpur Rulers. The role of these agreements in British-Talpur relations and reasons for later annexation of Sindh by the British in 1843 is also studied. The mutual treaties proved to be unsuccessful in avoiding the annexation. The political instability, further division into independent territories, feeble economic condition and strategic importance of Sindh led it to the British annexation in 1843. The British tried to present betrayal of the treaties on the part of Talpurs as an excuse to annex Sindh. However, the British strategic and military policy in the Subcontinent required the control of Sindh. The British wanted to use Sindh as a military base to fight with Punjab and Afghanistan in continuation of their imperialist policies in the Indian Subcontinent. Unrestricted use of Indus river system for the transportation of military supply and trade goods was also essentially required by the British. Therefore, neither treaties nor their betrayal was a reason for British annexation of Sindh. Key words: British India; Sindh; Talpurs; Annexation of Sindh 1. Introduction Shah. The rivalry between Kalhoras and Talpurs peaked during his rule. The political circumstances, *The Muslims from Arab conquered the Sindh in law and order situation and interference in trade the beginning of 8th century. They took over the became so intensive that in 1775, British East India Sindh from Hindu Rajput rulers. In the 11th century Company was forced to shut down their factories in Mahmood Ghaznavi captured the Sindh and made it Sindh. (CIE, 1883) part of Ghaznavi Empire in 1026 AD. The Mughal The political situation in Sindh remain violent Empror Akber took over Sindh in 1591 and annexed during the rule of Srafraz Khan Kalhora, who it into Mughal Indian Empire. Nadir Shah attacked ordered the assassination of three chieftains of Sindh in 1740 and Sindh again became part of Talpur tribe. The death of three Talpur tribal chiefs Afghan rule. Nadir Shah levied an annual tax of 2 ultimately led to downfall of Kalhora Dynasty in million rupees on the local chieftains of the Sindh. Sindh. The Balouch tribe of Talpurs vowed to take The Durrani Dynasty of Afghanistan seized the revenge of the death of their leaders and revolted control of Sindh after the assassination of Nadir against Kalhoras. In 1786, the last ruler of Kalhora Shah. Dynasty AbdulNabi was overthrown by the Talpurs. During the Ping-Pong game of power between Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur became the ruler of Sindh. Mughals and Afghans, the Kalhoras become rulers of The rule of Talpurs in Sindh was also full of internal the Sindh. Noor Muhammad was recognized as first conspiracies. Mir Sohrab Talpur and Mir Thora ruler of Sindh, belonged to Kalhoras. Ghulam shah, conspirated against Mir Fateh Ali Khan, fled and brother of Noor Muhammad succeeded him power. established their own authorities in Khairpur and British East India Company made a trade agreement Shahbandar. The Sindh was divided into three parts, with Noor Muhammad. As a result of that agreement, each led by Mir Sohrab, Mir Thora and Mir Fateh Ali. in 1758, the Company established its factories Lower Sindh with its capital in Hyderabad was ruled (trading posts) in Shah Bandar and Thatta. An official by Mir Fateh Ali, Upper Sindh with its capital in order was issued by Ghulam Shah, legitimizing Khairpur by Mir Sohrab and Mirpur by Mir Thora establishment of trading posts and authorizing some Khan. Mir Fateh Ali Khan along with his three trading benefits to British East India Company. A brothers shared the rule of Hyderabad. All four revision of the order was issued in 1761. Sarfraz brothers are famous in Sindhi history and khan became ruler of Sindh after his father Ghulam remembered as four friends due to their perceptible or ostensible unity. * Corresponding Author. 132 Bashir Ahmed, Summer Sultana / WALIA, 35(1) 2019, Pages: 132-139 Mir Fateh Ali Khan of Hyderabad made an British era, the importance of gazettes cannot be agreement with British East India Company, which overlooked. The present research also depends on led to revival of British trade in Sindh. In 1799, an those documents for the historical data part of the order was issued by him to grant certain trade rights research. However, for the sake of analysis, to the East India Company. However, annexation of viewpoints of both British and local writers have Bengal and subsequent British advancement brought been considered. speculations and rumors about British in Sindh. The The Gazetteer of Sindh, published in 1876 is a people and rulers of Sindh felt insecure which great source of information on Sindh consists of ultimately led to withdrawal of British almost thousand pages. In includes the geographical representative from Sindh. data, boundaries, climate and soil conditions, crops Mir Fateh Ali Khan died in 1801. According to his produced, economic potential, roads and will, the lower Sindh was divided between his three infrastructure, urban and rural sociology, casts and brothers in a way that 50% of territory was left to clans of Sindh. The history of Sindh along with brief Mir Ghulam Ali and remaining to Murad Ali and introduction of previous rulers have been described Karam Ali. The annual liability of 13 lacks to the in the first chapter. The Kalhora and Talpur Ruler of Kabul was also divided among his brothers dynasties have also been discussed in the context of in similar way. The son of Mir Ghulam Ali was not historical events. The administrative services and given any share in power, and after the death of Mir fiscal data of every district is compiled from 1843 to Ghulam Ali in 1811 his territory was divided 1875. The introduction of every district, tehsil and between other two brothers. Mir Karam Ali died and town is available in the cultural and social forms. had no children, so in this way Mir Murad Ali became Even the prominent people of every town have been sole ruler of lower Sindh in 1828. After the death of discussed. (Hughes, 1876) Mir Murad Ali in 1835, the rule was again divided in A great work titled as History of Sindh was two sons of him along with their two cousins. The written by Muhammad Masoom Namee in the four sons of four brothers shared the power in lower Persian language at the end of 16th century. The Sindh till the annexation of Sindh by the British in manuscript was obtained from Mir Ali Murad Khan 1843. (Lari, 1994) Talpur by the British Major George Grenville Malet, In the meanwhile, the Upper Sindh (Khaipur) and deployed at Khaipur and translated into English in Mirpur were ruled by and succeeded by single rulers. 1846. The manuscript than became official part of In Khairpur the power was transferred from Mir the “Records of the Bombay Government No XIII”. Soharab to his son Mir Rustum in 1830. Sher Chapter 1 narrates the era after the Arab Muslim Muhammad son of Mir Thora Khan succeeded the conquest of the Sindh in 8th century. The second throne in 1829. Both Sher Muhammad and Mir chapter is about rule of Indian emperors in Sindh Rustum remained in power till the annexation of like Soormah and Summah. The subsequent chapter Sindh by the British in 1843. discusses Urghooneeyuhs rule in India. The last chapter describes the rule of Ameers appointed by 2. Literature review the Mughal emperors. The texts about Sindh, originated by the British also quote historical events The available literary resources available on the from this book. It is the brief narration of the events history of Sindh during and before the British era of Indian history in general and History of Sindh in can be classified mainly into two categories. British particular. It is also a chronicle of Muslim rise and National Archives, documents from India office fall in Sindh. (Masoom, 1846) London and archives of Sindh Government are the A book titled as “The Historical Background of factual data collected, drafted and preserved by the Pakistan and its People” also presents a historical British administrative setup in the sub-continent. perspective about the land and people of Sindh. The Second category comprises of the books and articles writer name is Ahmed Abdullah and the book was written by various English and local writers. The published in 1973. The book generally describes majority of the literature of second category is based brief historical background of all four provinces of upon the data collected by the documents of the first Pakistan. However a specific chapter is designated category. The British administrative services of India for the brief account of history of Sindh. The rulers of had developed a system of gazettes as source of Sindh are described in a chronological order starting feedback for the future administrative officers and from Muhammad Bin Qasim, Nasiruddin Qabacha, from Indian Subcontinent for the policy makers at the Soormahs and the Summah to the dynasties of the top level.