Bhutanese and British India Bilateral Missions (1774-1864)

  

The British and the Bhutanese Bilateral Missions, 1774-1838

 

The British were deeply interested in opening up a new trade route through Bhutan to Tibet. Following the Treaty of Friendship of 1774 they, therefore, sent a serious of missions to Bhutan.

 

1. The Mission of George Bogle, 1774

The first of these was a goodwill mission that took place in May 1774. Except for the two Portuguese Jesuit priests which had visited Bhutan in 1627 during the period of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. this was the first time in our history that

Europeans were allowed inside the country. The mission was headed by George Bogle who was accomplished by Dr. Alexander Hamilton as assistant surgeon.

 

Source: George Bogle Mission in Tibet

2. Mission of Dr. Hamilton, 1776 and 1777

The Purpose of the Mission In 1776, Dr. Hamilton, returned to Bhutan alone to maintain and strengthen the links between the two countries and to examine the Bhutanese claims to Ambari Falakata and Jalpais.

 

3. Mission of Samual Turner

The purpose of the Mission was to maintain peaceful relations with Bhutan to secure a trade route to Tibet through Bhutan. (As it was mentioned that there was problems arose because the new rulers of Cooch Behar would no longer recognise the 1774 treaty between Bhutan and the British. The Raja of Cooch Behar claim that they were the rightful owner of the land which was returned in the Treaty of 1774). The mission was accompanied by Samuel Davis (Surveyer) and Robert Saunder who was a surgeon.

 

4. Mission of Kishan Kant Bose 1815

 

The Purpose of the Mission; To gather information on the state of affairs in Bhutan, (The relationship between Bhutan and India deteriorated as Bhutan closed all its doors to merchants from the territories of East India Company wanted to travel to Tibet. So because of this reason dispute arose)

Route: Unlike his predecessors, he entered the country through the Sidlee Duars to the east of that used by Bogle and Turner. Kishan Kant Bose was the last mission before the Great Duar War of 1864 to 1865.

Early British and Bhutanese squabbles over the Duars. It was obvious that tension between the British and the Bhutanese over seven Assam Duars. When the next Bhutanese compensation was paid shortly afterwords goods of inferior quality were substituted by the middlemen working for the British. The value of goods was ultimately far below the amount paid. The Bhutanese attacked a frontier post in Buriguma duar killing the British officer in charge and carrying away captives. The British counterattacked and Buriguma Duar was confiscated. In 1835, The Bhutanese raided Ngogong and took away nine prisoners.

 

5. Mission of Pemberton, 1838

The purpose of the Mission was to address the Border Demarcations which troubled the situation along the entire border and complete breakdown of communication with Bhutan, they decided on another mission called Captain R. Boilea Pemberton accompanied by Dr. W.M Griffith as a medical Officer and Botanist.

The Mission was without receiving any travel authorization from the Bhutanese authorities. ( As Bhutan was in turmoil or civil war).