Indian Frontier Policy | Page 7

a comparatively small force of scattered detachments, which are,
however, supplied with arms, munitions and stores under great
difficulties from far distant centres, and her troops are practically
incapable of concentration. Indeed the farther they go the weaker they
become; the very magnitude of the area being an additional cause of
weakness. This is a condition somewhat precarious in itself, and would

certainly not appear to be an alarming one as a basis of attack against
our Empire, even were India close at hand.
While Russia, however, was completing the subjugation of the
Principalities, and advancing her frontiers until they became
conterminous with the northern provinces of Afghanistan and Persia,
the Government of India, by the great wars of 1843 and 1849, having
annexed Scinde and the Punjaub, advanced our frontiers in a similar
manner, so that the people both of Beloochistan and Afghanistan,
hitherto far remote from our dominions, now became our neighbours.
In the life of Sir Robert Sandeman recently published, a very
interesting account is given, not only of the nature of the country along
the border, but of the policy pursued for many years with the
independent tribes. It says: 'By the conquest of Scinde in 1843, and the
annexation of the Punjaub in 1849, the North-West frontier of India
was advanced across the river Indus to the foot of the rocky mountains
which separate the plains of the Indus valley from the higher plateaus
of Afghanistan and Khelat. These mountain ranges formed a vast
irregular belt of independent or semi-independent territory, extending
from Cashmere southward to the sea near Kurrachee, a total length of
about 1,200 miles.' The belt of territory above described was 'inhabited
by fierce marauding tribes, often at war with each other, ever and anon
harrying the plains of the Punjaub and Scinde, and the constant terror
of the trade caravans during their journey through the passes.'
The policy pursued for many years is thus described: 'The disasters of
the first Afghan war, and the tragical episode of Khelat, were fresh in
men's recollections, and created a strong feeling against political
interference with tribes beyond our border'.... 'Accordingly, from the
very first, the system of border defence maintained by the Punjaub
Government was not purely military, but partly military, partly political
and conciliatory. While the passes were carefully watched, every means
was taken for the promotion of friendly intercourse.' Roads were made,
steamers started on the Indus, and inundation canals developed along
the border.
So long as they were friendly the tribesmen had free access to our

territory, could hold land, enlist in our army, and make free use of our
markets. As a result, the deadly hatred formerly prevailing between the
Sikhs and the hill tribes soon disappeared; raids became exceptional;
cultivation increased; the bazaars of our frontier stations teemed with
Afghans, with trains of laden camels, who at the close of the season
returned laden with our goods. Disputes were voluntarily referred by
independent tribesmen for the arbitration of British officers. Such, (it is
stated in the life of Sir Robert Sandeman) were the results of
Lawrence's frontier policy, and no words are required to emphasise
these excellent arrangements, which remained in force for many years.
Before leaving this part of the subject, it may be as well to anticipate a
little and to allude to the successful part taken by Sir Robert Sandeman
in 1876 on his appointment as our agent to the Khan of Khelat. It is
important in the first place to mention, that whilst in Afghanistan the
tribes all along the frontier were for the most part independent of the
Ameer of Cabul, and were ruled by their own 'jirgahs' or councils, in
Beloochistan the mode of government was so far different that the
chiefs, whilst acknowledging the Khan as their hereditary ruler, were
entitled, not only to govern their own tribes, but to take part in the
general administration of the country as the constitutional advisers of
the paramount chief. The dangers arising from the vicinity of three
powerful kingdoms, Persia, Afghanistan, and Scinde, had no doubt led
them to perceive the necessity of co-operation, which was established
about the middle of the eighteenth century. Although the constitution as
above described secured to the confederated tribes nearly a century of
prosperity and peaceful government, it so happened that for some years
before 1876, owing to the weakness of the then ruler, and partly to
turbulence of the chiefs, the government of the country fell into
disorder, and the commerce through the Bolam Pass altogether ceased.
From 1872 to 1876 Lord Northbrook was Viceroy of India, and one of
his last acts before leaving was the appointment of Colonel Sandeman
as our Envoy, with a view to mediate between the Khan and his
subordinates, and which proved successful.