Treaty of Chushul
| Treaty of Chushul (1842) | |
|---|---|
| Signed | 17 September 1842 (Assuj 2, 1889 B.S.) |
| Location | Ladakh |
| Effective | 17 September 1842 |
| Full text | |
 Treaty of Chushul at Wikisource | |
The Treaty of Chushul[1][2] was a treaty signed between the Tibetan government of Ganden Phodrang (then a protectorate of the Qing dynasty) and the Dogra nobleman Gulab Singh of Jammu, under the suzerainty of the Sikh Empire, following the Dogra–Tibetan war (1841-1842). The treaty, which was signed in 1842 maintaining the status quo ante bellum,[3] has been referred to as the "Treaty of Chushul" even though there is no evidence to indicate that the treaty was actually agreed at Chushul.
Overview
On 17 September 1842, the Treaty of Chushul was agreed in Leh between the Dogras and the Tibetans, executed by an exchange of notes. The Tibetan note, incorporating the concessions made by the Dogras, was handed to Gulab Singh's representatives. The Persian note, describing the Tibetan concessions, was presented to the Tibetan officials.[4] The terms were also summarised in the Ladakh Chronicles as follows. Tibet recognised that Ladakh was annexed to the Sikh Empire. And the Sikh Empire relinquished the ancient Ladakhi claim to western Tibet. Both the sides would remain within their own territories. Biennial Lopchak missions would go on as before. Ladakhi merchants would be allowed to travel to Rudok, Gartok and other places in Tibet and the Tibetan merchants from Chang Thang would be allowed to go to Ladakh.[5]
The texts of the notes also state that the "old, established frontiers" between Ladakh and Tibet would be respected. The Ladakhi king and queen were to be allowed to live in Ladakh peacefully, and it is the Ladakhi king that would send the biennial Lopchak missions to Lhasa rather than the Dogra regime. All trade between the two regions was to be conducted according to "old, established custom".[6] According to some sources, since the treaty between Gulab Singh and the Tibetans did not bind the former's suzerain, a supplementary treaty with similar provisions was concluded between the Governor of Kashmir (representing the Sikh Empire in Lahore) and officials from Lhasa in the name of their suzerain, the Emperor of China.[6][neutrality is disputed]
The treaty came into discussion in the 1960s in the context of the Sino-Indian border dispute. The Indian government used the treaty to counter the Chinese contention that the border between Ladakh and Tibet had never been delimited. The Indian position was that the reference to "old, established frontiers" meant that the border had been delimited. The Chinese argued that, even if it had been delimited, there is no guarantee that it was the same as the Indian claimed boundary.[7]
Aftermath
In March 1856, a treaty between Tibet and the Kingdom of Nepal, known as the Treaty of Thapathali, was signed. Clause 4 of the treaty freed the remaining Sikh prisoners-of-war still held in Tibetan captivity whom were captured in 1841.[8] This clause was included in the treaty at the behest of Gulab Singh of Kashmir to free the remaining prisoners.[9]
References
- ^ Malhotra, Iqbal Chand (2020), Red Fear: The China Threat, Bloomsbury Publishing, pp. 68–69, ISBN 978-93-89867-59-6
- ^ Guo, Rongxing (2015). China's Regional Development and Tibet. Springer. p. 5. ISBN 978-981-287-958-5.
- ^ Huttenback, Gulab Singh (1961), p. 487.
- ^ Fisher, Rose & Huttenback, Himalayan Battleground (1963), pp. 55–56.
- ^ Fisher, Rose & Huttenback, Himalayan Battleground (1963), p. 55.
- ^ a b Fisher, Rose & Huttenback, Himalayan Battleground (1963), p. 56.
- ^ Ahmad, Zahiruddin (1963), "Tibet and Ladakh: A History", Far Eastern Affairs, St. Antony's Papers, vol. 14, Chatto & Windus, pp. 55–56
- ^ "Treaty Between Nepal and Tibet, March 1856". Political Treaties of Tibet (821 to 1951) (PDF). Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR) - Central Tibetan Administration. 1990.
4. Chouthon Kura (Article Four): The Government of Gorkha is to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Kuti and Kerong and Jhung and return to the Tibetans the sepoys, sheep, and yaks captured during the war, when the conditions of the treaty were fulfilled. The Tibetans, in return, are also to give back to the Gorkhali cannons and also the Sikh prisoners-of war who had been captured in 1841 in the war between Bhot and the Dogra ruler.
- ^ McKay, Alex (2003). Tibet and Her Neighbours: A History. Edition Hansjörg Mayer. p. 139. ISBN 9783883757186.