Sir Charles Napier said, "We have no right to seize Sind, yet we shall do so, and a very advantageous, useful, humane piece of rascality it will be.''

Demand of the Question:

There are two aspects in the question- first why British have no right to seize Sind? and other why British seize Sind? Major stress should be to highlight the advantages associated with annexation of Sind for the British. 

Introduction:

Annexation of the territory of an eternal friend ( Treaty of eternal friendship,1809 ), commercially beneficial friend ( Commercial Treaty of 1832 ) and partner in Anglo-afghan war , although reluctant, was indeed an immoral act, as admitted by British Resident at Sind- Sir Charles Napier himself, But it was driven by broader North-west frontier policy of British as well as an opportunity to regain the prestige after Afghan debacle.

Body:

Why no right to seize Sind?

● Sind was in ‘eternal friendship’ with British since the treaty of 1809. They have provided safe passage to british merchants and goods through the Commercial Treaty of 1832 . So annexation of Sind was an immoral act as you conquered the friend.

● As Sind had abided by all the treaties they had signed with English East India Company. Even to its reluctance they supplied the army and money in support of British during Afghan war.

● It was the manufactured charges by Charles Napier against the amirs which he used as a pretext to seize Sind.

Although the Commercial Treaty of 1832 provided free passage to British merchants and goods but the increasing disturbances in Sind was a threat to the commercial benefits of British, which resulted in complete annexation of Sind in 1843.

4. Case of Victorian Imperialism

The British policy of territorial expansion came to its peak after queen victoria sat at throne in 1837 and Seize of Sind should be seen as a part of this bigger scheme which culminated with Doctrine of Lapse under Lord Dalhousie and resulting ‘First war of Indian Independence’ in 1857.

Conclusion:

Thus the British annexation of Sind in 1843 should be seen as a result of change in both internal and external situation. The external factors like Russophobia and Victorian Imperialism and the internal factors like Afghan debacle forced the direct control over Sind and the internal instability provided the opportunity.