The Humiliation of Ashley Eden’s Mission, 1864

 

With the utter failure of Pemberton’s mission in 1838, the disputes along the Bengal and Assam duars equally persisted. There were frequent incidents of robbery, abduction, and minor clashes between the officials along the frontiers. When the central government of Bhutan was engulfed in the incessant civil war, the frontiers officials often took advantage of the weak system and continues to engage in frequent outrages along the duars. On the other hand, after the failure of the previous mission, the British did not see any prospects in sending the mission to Bhutan to resolve the duars dispute besides the turmoil in the central administration in Bhutan further discouraged the idea of the mission. In ensuing internal conflicts, the situation along the duars remained unchecked. By 1840, two duars of Assam, Khaling and Buri Gumar were annexed by the British even without any resistance from the Bhutanese. By then, the fertile soil of Assam duars has also become a major tea cultivation which was the highest revenue contributor for the EIC. By 1841, all seven duars[1] of Assam were annexed by the British without much protest from the Bhutanese. In return, the British would pay a sum of Rupees 10,000 per year to Bhutan.

Completely embroiled in the internecine internal conflicts, outrages and insurrections along Bengal duars[2] also continued unabated. Vexed by the frequent outrages, the British occupied Ambari Fallakotta of Bengal which was ceded to Bhutan in 1774. Lost in the internal turmoil, Bhutan could not keep in constant touch with the British though it was theoretically believed to have a cordial relationship with the British. With no breakthrough in incessant frontiers issues, the British even threatened to annex all the duars of Bengal. However, taking a soft approach, the British decided to dispatch a mission. A messenger was sent to Bhutan to inform of the impending mission but received an elusive response from the 45^th Desi Nagzi Pasang. Though Bhutan was not in a favourable position to receive a mission, the British pressed on dispatching the mission soon. Under the governorship of Lord Elgin, Ashley Eden was appointed as the British envoy to Bhutan on 11 August 1863. The main objective of the mission was to explain to the Bhutanese authority the circumstances which led to the annexation of Ambari Fallakotta. Eden was furnished with the draft treaty and wanted to have a treaty between the British and Bhutan. Eden at his discretion was authorised to negotiate and make some minor changes to the treaty. He was also to explore the trade opportunities in Bhutan and the possibility of establishing a British agent in Bhutan.

With those objectives, Eden and his party set off from Darjeeling on 4 January 1864. Eden was accompanied by Cheboo Lama (then prime minister of Sikkim) as the interpreter, Dr Benjamin Simpson, and Captain Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen as the second-in-command for the mission. It was said that the mission at the onset itself had faced problems when coolies began to desert the team. The mission travelled crossed Kalimpong and travelled to Haa battling the heavy snow via Sibsoo. The mission even lost two men due to extreme coldness. Despite strong objections from the Desi, the mission continued and reached Paro in March 1864. After halting for a few days, Eden left Paro on 10 March 1864. The mission finally reached Punakha on 15 March 1864 at a time of precarious situation of political instability. Arriving at the outskirt of Punakha, Eden did not see any sign of welcome though the messenger was sent ahead of them. To their disappointment, the mission was directed to enter from the back road and prevented from entering the main gate of the Dzong. While in Punakha, Eden noticed that the garden once admired by Turner in 1783 no longer existed and wrote, “Everything about the place is gone to ruin and decay during the great internal struggles for the place which have for so many years convulsed the country. Scarcely a house was to be seen in the neighbourhood of the Palace, though there were the outer shells of many destroyed from time to time in the struggles to obtain possession of the Fort.” Although Kagyu Wangchuck was the Desi at the time, Eden observed Trongsa Penlop was a de facto ruler of Bhutan.

 

Two days later on 17 March 1864, Eden and the party were summoned to meet the state council, which Eden called Amlah in a house near Dzong. They had to pass the disorderly crowd and were mocked with the throwing of stones and sticks. They were made to wait in sun in front the hundreds of people before meeting the members of the council consisting of Dzongpoens of Thimphu (then Khasar Tobgye) and Punakha (then Tashi), Zhung Dronyer (chief protocol?), Deb Zimpoen (then Tsundro Gyeltshen), and Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Namgyel. No ceremonial formalities before the meeting were observed and Trongsa Penlop headed the proceeding. In the light of language barrier, Trongsa Poenlop suggested Cheboo lama visit him daily with the mission’s proposal and in turn, will acquaint the mission with the response of the council. Cheboo Lama discussed the articles of the treaty with Trongsa Poenlop over the next two days and there were no positive outcomes. Vexed of waiting, upon insisting, Eden was granted an audience with Desi and Dharma Raja on 20 March 1864. Like before, they were jostled through the crowd before the council and made to take seats on the mats in the sun. Eden observed that both the Desi and Dharma Raja had no say, rather Trongsa Peonlop proclaimed to conduct the proceeding on their behalf. At the meeting, Trongsa Poenlop demanded that a new clause should be added to the effect that all Assam Duars should be handed back to Bhutan immediately. Trongsa Poenlop further added that If his condition is fulfilled, all other clauses would be accepted and if not, there would be no further discussion. Completely taken aback, Eden protested and explains the reason for the annexation of Assam Duars and the issue was closed for twenty years. Besides, Eden had no authority to discuss the matter of Assam Duars but was empowered only to discuss the issue of Ambari Fallakotta of Bengal. To this, Trongsa Peonlop crumpled up the treaty and declared: “Then he declared, “Then we will have war; you are nobody; you have no authority from the Governor General. We didn’t want Ambari Fallakotta; and as to the demands of the government of India, a chupprassi (messenger) might have been sent to settle them. I will have nothing more to do with you; go.”[3] With no breakthrough in the negotiation, the mission prepares to leave but was held back by the messenger of the member of the council. Other members of the council ensure their support for the draft treaty and the return of the Assam was not required as demanded by Trongsa Poenlop. The mission postponed their departure and insisted on the exclusion of the Assam Duars topic and Trongsa Poenlop from the next meeting.

 

At the next meeting on 22 March 1864, Eden observed two new members of the council, Darlung Tobgye, the Dzongpon of Wangdiphodrang and Kawang Mangkhel, a chief state protocol. To Eden’s utter surprise, Trongsa Peonlop walks in to head the meeting and the draft treaty was read out. In the subsequent on 24 March 1864, tents were pitched at the mission’s side of the river and the meeting took place at one of the tents. At the meeting, after reading the first two articles, To Eden’s dismay, Trongsa Peonlop again stated that Assam Duars should be returned as soon as the treaty is signed along with the revenue of the duars him since the annexation in 1841. To Eden’s disappointment, he saw all the other members laughing and amusing whom he trusted with their support in the meeting. Then, the members of the mission were told to go on to another tent where they were mocked and ridiculed amidst the huge crowd. Then, Trongsa Peonlop took a large piece of wet dough and began to rub it on Eden’s face, at the same time pulling his hair. Wangdiphodrang Dzongpoen went on to the greater extent of forcing Dr Simpson to eat some areca nuts which he had been chewing. On refusal, he threw it in the face. At the same time, Wangdi Dzongpoen pulled off the watch from Cheboo lama’s neck and passed it on to one of the members, and returned later after realizing he had gone too far. The mission did not receive any support from other members as agreed earlier. As the British leaves the meeting, Trongsa Peonlop shouted after them, “I want nothing but the Assam duars and if I don’t get them, it is better to have war than a treaty; I will write to the Governor General.” [4]

 

Before the mission could leave on the following, Cheboo Lama was summoned and handed over a new treaty to be signed which states that Assam Duars should be returned to Bhutan. Trongsa Peonlop threatened to imprison Eden and Cheboo lama while the Wangdiphodrang Dzongpoen went even further to kill them if they refused to sign the new treaty. Meanwhile, the presents from the Governor General had arrived and it was hastily divided among the members of the council which managed to pacify the council members for a time. A final meeting was conducted on 27 March 1864. For the first time, Eden and his mission were entreated inside the Dzong with respect and ceremonial formalities were also followed. Fearing for his life and the mission’s safety, Eden finally yielded to the pressure and signed the new treaty prepared by the Bhutanese. Eden added the words ‘under compulsion’ after his signature to indicate that it was done under force. However, the Bhutanese council believed it was a voluntary endorsement. After signing, the members of the mission were led to the tent of Desi and Dharma Raja. They were offered white scarves which Eden believed had to be been done at the first meeting. 

Translation of the document that Eden signed under compulsion in 1864

Agreement:

That from today there shall always be friendship between the Feringees (English) and the Bhotanese. Formerly the Dharma Raja and the Company's Queen were of one mind, and the same friendship exists to the present day. Foolish men on the frontier having caused a disturbance, certain men belonging to the British power, living on the frontier have taken Bulisusan (Julpigorie?) between Cooch Behar and the Kam Raja, and Ambaree, near the border of Sikkim, and then between Banska and Gowalparah, Rangamuttee, Bokalibaree, Motteeamaree, Papareebaree, Arioetta, and then the seven Eastern Dooars. Then certain bad men on the Bhoteah side stole men, cattle, and other property, and committed thefts and robberies, and the Feringees' men plundered property and burnt-down houses in Bhotan. By reason of these bad men remaining, the ryots suffered great trouble; and on this account, the Governor-General, with good intention, sent an envoy, Mr Eden, with letters and presents, and sent with him Cheeboo Lama, the Minister of Sikkim, and on their coming to the Dharma and Deb Rajas, making the petition, a settlement of a permanent nature has been made by both parties. The Dharma Raja will send one agent to the east and one to the west; when they shall arrive on the frontier of the Company's territory, they shall, after an interview with the Feringees' agents, receive back the tracts above-mentioned belonging to Bhotan, and after these shall be given back, and on full proof being given against persons charged with cattle stealing, & c., the Feringees will surrender such offenders to the Bhotanese, and the Bhotanese will in like manner surrender offenders to the Feringees. After that, each shall take charge of his own territory, look after his own ryots, remain on friendly terms, and commit no aggressions, and the subjects of either State going into the neighbouring State shall be treated as brothers.

If, notwithstanding, any bad men on either side shall commit any aggression, the rulers of the place in which the offender lives shall seize and punish him. And as Cheeboo Lama is the interpreter between the Feringees and the Bhoteahs, the Sikkimese are therefore henceforth to assist the Bhoteahs. We have written that the settlement is permanent; but who knows, perhaps this settlement is made with one word in the mouth and two in the heart. If therefore, this settlement is false, the Dharma Raja's demons (names omitted) will, after deciding who is true or false, take his life, take out his liver and scatter it to the winds like ashes. The Bhotan army will take possession of Sikkim, and if the Raja of Cooch Behar shall attempt to take any land belonging to Bhotan, the Bhotan Government, the Sikkim Government, and the Company will invade Cooch Behar. If the Feringees attempt to take land from Bhotan, the Bhoteahs, Sikkimese, and Beharees will invade the Company's territory; and if the Bihar Raja shall invade Sikkim the Bhotanese, Sikkimese, and the Company shall invade Behar. Whichever of the four States, Bhotan, Feringees, Behar, and Sikkim commit aggression, the other three shall punish it; and if, whilst this agreement remains, any other enemy shall arise to any of the States, the other shall all assist him. This agreement is made between the Feringees and the Bhotanese. And this is the seal of the Dharma and Deb Rajas.                                               

                                                                                  The seal here is attached.

 

                                                                                                                                                                              Ashley Eden

                                                                                                                                                                        (Under compulsion)

The year Singee, 21st month, Danopipa

Source: Adapted from Singh’s Bhutan a Kingdom in the Himalayas: A study of the land, its people and their Government (1972)

On 29 March 1864, after the Trongsa Poenlop left for Trongsa, the mission set off from Punakha in the evening. After encountering inexhaustible obstacles, the mission could finally move from Paro on 2 April where Eden notice the Peonlop was preparing for another fresh mutiny. Like his predecessors, Eden gave a detailed description of Bhutan’s governance, economy, religion, culture, and military. Considering the mistreatment at the hands of the Bhutanese, Eden gave mostly pessimistic observations of Bhutan which would require readers to read the accounts with a pinch of salt. However, Eden’s report on Bhutan’s military was proved wrong during the Duar war in 1864-1865 when the British endure a difficult campaign and suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Bhutanese. Eden wrote, “The garrisons at Paro, Punakha and Trongsa consisted of about 1400 men whom only 600 were armed with matchlocks. They had little ammunition and it took three men to fire a single matchlock. They had little confidence in their firearms and preferred their knives, bows, arrows although they were not very good archers.” The mission of 1864 was an utter disaster and at the same time, it bruised the reputation of British India. Aftermath the failed mission, the relationship between Bhutan and the British were strained and consequently led to the Duar War of 1864-1865.

Bibliography

Collister, P. (1987). Bhutan and the British. London: Serindia Publications.

Eden, A., Pemberton, R. B., & Bose, K. K. (1865). Political missions to Bootan. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Office.

Singh, N. (1972). Bhutan a Kingdom in the Himalayas: A study of the land, its people and their Government. New Delhi: Thomson Press (India) Limited.

Phuntsho. K. (2013). The history of Bhutan. India: Random House Publishers India Private Limited.

 

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[1] Seven duars: Booree-Goomah Duar, Khaling Duar, Ghurkolla Duar, Banska Duar, Chappagoorie Duar, Chappakhamar Duar, and Bijnee Duar.

[2] 11 Bengal Duars: Dalimcote Duar, Moinagoroo Duar, Chamoorchee Duar, Luckee Duar, Buxa Duar, Bhulka Duar, Bara Duar, Goomar Duar, Reepo Duar, Cherrung Duar, and Bagh Duar.

[3] Read Collister’s British and Bhutan (1987) and Political missions to Bootan (1865)

[4] Read Collister’s British and Bhutan (1987) and Political missions to Bootan (1865)