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Articles of agreement made at Peshawur on the 26th January
1857 (corresponding with Jumadee-ool-Awul, 29th A. H. 1273), between Ameer Dost
Mohummud Khan, Ruler of Cabool and of those countries of Afghanistan now in his
possession, on his part, and Sir John Lawrence, K. C. B., Chief Commisioner of
the Punjab, and Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Edwardes, C. B., Commissioner of
Peshawur on the part of the Honorable East India Company, under the authority of
the Right Honorable Charles John, Viscount Canning, Governor-General of India in
the Council. Whereas the Shah of Persia contrary
to his engagement with the British Government, has taken possession of Herat,
and has manifested an intention to interfere in the present possessions of Ameer
Dost Mohummud Khan, there is now war between the British and Persian Governments
therefore the Honorable East India Company, to aid Ameer Dost Mohummud Khan, to
defend and maintain his present possessions in Balkh, Cabool, and Candahar
against Persia, hereby agrees out of friendship to give the said Ameer one lakh
of Company's Rupees monthly during the war with Persia on the following
conditions:
- The Ameer shall keep his present number of cavalry,
and shall maintain not less than 18,000 Infantry, of which 13,000 shall be
Regulars divided into 13 Regiments.
- The Ameer is to make his own arrangements for
receiving the money at the British treasuries and conveying it through his own
country.
- British Officers, with suitable native
establishments and orderlies, shall be deputed, at the pleasure of the British
Government to Cabool or Candahar, or Balkh or all three Places, or wherever an
Afghan army be assembled to act against the Persians. It will be their duty to
see generally that the subsidy granted to the Ameer be devoted to military
purposes for which it is given, and to keep their own Government informed of
all affairs. They will have nothing to do with the payment of the troops, or
advising the Cabool Government ; and they will not interfere in any way in the
internal administration of the country. The Ameer will be responsible for
their safety and honorable treatment, while in his country, and for keeping
them acquainted with all military and political matters connected with the
war.
- The Ameer of Cabool shall appoint and maintain a
Vakeel at Peshawur.
- The subsidy of one lakh per mensem shall cease from
the date on which peace is made between the British and Persian Governments,
or at any previous time at the will and pleasure of the Governor-General of
India.
- Whenever the subsidy shall cease the British
officers shall be withdrawn from the Ameer's country ; but at the pleasure of
the British Government, a Vakeel, not a European Officer shall remain at Kabul
on the part of the British Government, and one at Peshawur on the part of the
Government of Cabool.
- The Ameer shall furnish a sufficient escourt for the
British officers from the British border when going to the Ameer's country,
and to the British border when returning.
- The subsidy shall commence from 1st January 1857 and
be payable at the British treasury one month in arrears.
- The five lakhs of Rupees which have been already
sent to the Ameer (three to Candahar and two to Kabul), will not be counted in
this Agreement. They are free and separate gift from the Honorable East India
Company. But the sixth lakh now in the hands of the mahajuns of Cabool, which
was sent for another purpose, will be one of the instalments under this
Agreement.
- This Agreement in no way supersedes the Treaty made
at Peshawur on 30th March 1855 (corresponding with the 11th of Rujub 1271), by
which the Ameer of Cabool engaged to be the friend of the friends and the
enemy of the enemies of the Honorable East India Company ; and the Ameer of
Cabool, in the spirit of that Treaty, agrees to communicate to the British
Government any overtures he may receive from Persia, or from the allies of
Persia during the war, or while there is friendship between the Cabool and the
British Governments.
- In consideration of the friendship existing between
the British Government and Ameer Dost Mohummud Khan, the British Government
engages to overlook the past hostilities of all the tribes of Afghanistan, and
on no account to visit them with punishment.
- Whereas the Ameer has expressed a wish to have 4,000
muskets given him in addition to the 4,000 already given, it is agreed that
4,000 muskets shall be sent by the British Government to Tall, whence the
Ameer's people will convey them with their own carriage.
JOHN LAWRENCE,
Chief Commissioner,
HERBERT B. EDWARDES,
Commissioner of the Peshawar Division. |
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