Causes of Annexation Of Sind

 View 1: For the safety and integrity of Anglo-Indian Empire or Frontier

In the background of Russo-phobia and failure in Afghan adventure the British found Sind as an important part of their north-west frontier policy. This is visible in the communications between Governor General Auckland and the British Residents at Sind- Pottinger.

● The British were gradually increasing their control over Sind against the threat from north-west. For example the fear of French design forced Lord Minto to sign a treaty of ‘perpetual friendship’ with Sind in 1809 which eliminated the chances of French alliance with Sind.

● The British kept eliminating the possibility of European and American alliances with Sind and through the forced Treaty of 1839 they gained comprehensive control over Sind. The British forces were stationed at Bukkar and Sikarpur with Amir's money. They annexed Karachi in 1839 itself and used both the money and auxiliary force of Sind against the Afghans.

● After the failure of Afghan adventure, Sind became even more crucial in British scheme of north-west frontier security as can be seen in Lord Ellenborough letter to the Duke of Wellington in March, 1843. On one hand it increased Russian influence in Afghan and on the other it intensified the fear of Russo-Persian attack on India, thus a strong British presence in Sind was required which forced the complete annexation of Sind in 1843.

View 2: Fight to regain Prestige

● It was a fight to regain Prestige which the British lost after their debacle in Afghan war. The revolts against British rule in different parts of India like that in Bundelkhand and Madras soon after Afghan war was a sign of breaking up of the myth of British invincibility and her prestige.

● Thus to re-establish her superiority and prestige in the minds of native people they need to win a war, as argued by historian Ronald Hyam . Under this background Lord Ellenborough sanctioned the Annexation of Sind.

View 3: Commercial and navigational importance of Indus

● Historians like V.A. Smith has argued that the commercial and maritime importance of the Indus River , more so at the time of Afghan hostility, was an important cause for increasing control of British in Sind. With control on river Indus the British got a direct commercial way to Central Asia.

● The signing of a Commercial Treaty of 1832 between Sind and the British Company shows the commercial angle of Anglo-Sind relations. The treaty clause, like free passage of British merchants and travellers, does support this view.

View 4: The Conquest of Sind was morally and politically the sequel of the Afghan war- P.E. Roberts

Charles Napier believed that the Sindian War was not an isolated vent but “the tail of the Afghan storm”.

Points in support:

1. Englishmen believed that Afghan war made it expedient, although unjust, to coerce the Amirs of Sind. They wanted to use the weakness and richness of the Amirs in Afghan war.

● They were coerced to provide finances for Afghan adventure through the Treaty of 1839.

● The Treaty of 1839 forced the Amirs to provide the Auxiliary force against Afghans.

● Sind provided the safe passage for the troops and supplies of war which demanded greater control of British over Sind.

2. It was a fight to regain Prestige which the British lost after their debacle in Afghan war. The revolts against British rule in different parts of India like that in Bundelkhand and Madras soon after Afghan war was a sign of disbelief in British invincibility and her prestige and thus to re-establish her superiority and prestige in the minds of native people they need to win a war. Under this background Lord Ellenborough sanctioned the Annexation of Sind.

3. The strategic value of Sind made her an important province. The British, who were preoccupied with the Russo-Phobia , needed a stable frontier which supported them against any possible Russo-Persian design in India. After the defeat by Afghans and a stronger Punjab army, Sind was seen as an easy target to pursue the English design of the north-west Frontier. Also the failure of Afghan adventure put the British under the necessity of greater vigilance about the frontier problem as on one hand it increased Russian influence in Afghanistan and on the other intensified the fear of Russo-Persian attack on India, thus a strong British presence in Sind was required which forced the complete annexation of Sind in 1843.