The Visits of Sir Charles Alfred Bell and the Treaty of Punakha, 1910

 

Before his retirement in 1908, Claude had advised British India to have a closer relationship with Bhutan. He had also urged the Government to increase the annual subsidy and assist in developments to thwart possible Chinese interventions in Bhutan. Claude even proposed to draw a new treaty with Bhutan. The provision of the treaty of Sinchula (1865) only allows the British interference in Bhutan’s dispute with Sikkim and Cooch Bihar, not with any other states. After Charles Bell succeeded Claude as a political officer in April 1908, he was tasked with advising the government on foreign affairs. Fearing the growing influence of the Chinese, Bell proposed a new treaty with Bhutan and urged British India to increase the annual subsidy. Towards the end of 1909, Bell’s proposal came through and a draft treaty was approved. Bell was permitted to increase the annual subsidy if Bhutan agrees to the terms.

Charles Bell set off from Gangtok in January 1910 with captain Robert Kennedy (a medical officer). Bell had a preliminary meeting with Kazi Ugyen Dorji at Darjeeling and he had already taken the draft treaty in both Tibetan and English to His Majesty. After weeks of journey, Bell reached Punakha and was received by His Majesty the king and the council to the camp. At first, Bell observed the council members were reluctant and found it difficult to gain consent. After assuring the non-interference in internal affairs by the British government, Bell gained the council’s consent. The four copies of the treaty, two copies each in English and Bhutanese were produced. On 8 January 1910, the corresponding 27^th day of the 11^th month of the Earth-Bird (Sa-ja) year after having agreed to the terms from both parties, a new treaty was signed at the marquee in the compound of Bell’s camp, Punakha. The treaty of Punakha saw the revision of Article IV and Article VIII of the Treaty of Sinchula which was signed in1865.

·       Article IV was revised as: "The British Government has increased the annual subsidy to the Government of Bhutan from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 with effect from the 10th January 1910."

 

·       Article VIII was revised as: “The British Government undertakes to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan. On its part, the Bhutanese Government agrees to be guided by the advice of the British Government regarding external relations. In the event of disputes with or causes of complaint against the Maharajas of Sikkim and Cooch Behar, such matters will be referred for arbitration to the British Government which will settle them in such manner as justice may require and insist upon the observance of its decisions by the Maharajas named."

Charles wrote that the signing and sealing of the treaty were completed at one o’clock in the afternoon. The treaty was first signed with a large square Zhabdrung’s seal. Then, the seal of His Majesty was affixed. The treaty also has the councils’ members’ seals, including the seal of Zhung Dronyer, Paro Penlop, Dagana Penlop, Thimphu Dzongpoen, Wangdiphodrang Dzongpon, Punakha Dzongpoen, and Deb Zimpon. Upon Bell’s insistence, the seal of the monk’s body representative was also affixed.

During the signing of the Treaty of Punakha on 8 January 1910

 From left: Deb Zimpon Kunzang Tsering, Representative from a monk body, Paro Poenlop Dawa Penjor, His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck, Thimphu Dzongpoen Kunzang Thinley, Punakha Dzongpoen Palden Wangchuk, and Ugyen Dorji (standing) (Photo: From the collections of Sir Charles Bell, National Museum Liverpool)

After the treaty, Bell wrote, “It is well that we have this treaty; good for us and good for Bhutan, whose economic interests, as time goes on, will be seen more and more in the direction of India.” During their several weeks in Bhutan, Bell could cement the friendship with His Majesty like his predecessor Claude. Bell wrote, “His Highness is not only a very able ruler but is also universally respected both by his subjects and his foreign friends. Though he has only twice in his life quitted his hermit land, he has all the broadminded tolerance of one who has lived a composition life.”

On his departure from Bhutan, His Majesty presented Bell with one of the five gold medals that had been struck to commemorate the ascension to the throne in 1907. Like his predecessors, Charles described the immense hospitality received in Bhutan. On his journey back, Charles observed that the reconstruction of Paro Dzong has been almost completed. The Paro Dzong was lost to fire in 1907 and it was recorded in the journal of John Claude White.

Although the information in Bell’s diary does not have any significant impacts, his visit to Bhutan and signing of the treaty led to the revision of subsidy which has been long overdue. Significantly, the treaty also secured protection from the British government against external threats. There is no official record of Charles Bell’s visit to Bhutan after his first visit.

 

Bibliography

Bell, C. A. (1992). Tibet past and present. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services

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

Sigh, N. (1972).  Bhutan: A kingdom in the Himalayas. New Delhi: Thompson Press Limited.