The Sugauli Treaty of 1816 is one of the most consequential events in Nepal’s history, as it led to the loss of one-third of Nepal’s land to the British East India Company. Nepal’s territory shrank from 267,000 sq. km to 147,000 sq. km, and the country also lost a crucial route to Tibet through Kumaon.

The treaty was signed on December 2, 1815, and ratified on March 4, 1816. It was agreed upon by Raj Guru Gajraj Mishra and Chandra Shekhar Upadhyay, representing King Maharaja Bikram Shah of Nepal, and Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw on behalf of the British East India Company. The full text of the treaty includes key provisions that reshaped Nepal’s borders and its future relationship with the British Empire.
Here is the full text of the Sugauli Treaty:
Darbar:

Treaty of Peace between the Honourable East India Company and Maha Rajah Bikram Sah, Rajah of Nipal, settled between Lieutenant-Colonel Bradshaw on the part of the Honourable Company, in virtue of the full powers vested in him by His Excellence the Right Honourable Francis Earl of Moira Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, one of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, appointed by the Court of Directors of the said Honourable Company to direct and control all affairs in the East Indies, and by Sree Gooroo Gujraj Misser and Chunder Seeker Opedeea on the part of Maha Rajah Girmaun Jode Bikran Sah Bahadur, Shumsheer Jung, in virtue of the powers to that effect vested in them by the said Rajah of Nipal, 2nd December 1815.

Whereas war has arisen between the Honourable East India Company and the Rajah of Nipal, and whereas the parties are mutually disposed to restore the relations of peace and amity which, previously to the occurrence of the late differences, had long subsisted between the two States, the following terms of peace have been agreed upon:

Article – I
There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Honourable East India Company and the King of Nepal.

Article – II
The Rajah of Nipal renounces all claim to the lands which were the subject of discussion between the two States before the war, and acknowledges the right of the Honourable Company to the sovereignty of those lands.

Article – III
The Rajah of Nipal hereby cedes to the Honourable the East India Company in perpetuity all the under-mentioned territories, viz-

First: – The whole of the lowlands between the Rivers Kali and Rapti.
Secondly: – The whole of the low lands (with the exception of Bootwul Khass) lying between the Rapti and the Gunduck.
Third:– The whole of the lowlands between the Gunduck and Coosah, in which the authority of the British Government has been introduced, or is in actual course of introduction.
Fourth:– All the low lands between the Rivers Mitchee and the Teestah.
Fifth:– All the territories within the hills eastward of the River Mitchee including the fort and lands of Nagree and the Pass of Nagarcote leading from Morung into the hills, together with the territory lying between that pass and nagerr. The aforesaid territory shall be evacuated by the Gurkha troops within forty days from this date.

Article – IV
With a view to indemnify the Chiefs and Barahdars of the State of Nipal, whose interests will suffer by the alienation of the lands ceded by the foregoing Article, the British Government agrees to settle pensions to the aggregate amount of two lakhs of rupees per annum on such Chiefs as may be selected by the Rajah of Nipal, and in the proportions which the Rajah may fix. As soon as the selection is made, Sunnuds shall be granted under the seal and signature of the Governor General for the pensions respectively.

Article – V
The Rajah of Nipal renounces for himself, his heirs, and successors, all claim to or connextion with the countries lying to the west of the River Kali and engages never to have any concern with those countries or the inhabitants there of.

Article – VI
The Rajah of Nipal engages never to molest to disturb the Rajah of Sikkim in the possession of his territories; but agrees, if any difference shall arise between the State of Nipal and the Rajah of Sikkim, or the subjects of either, that such differences shall be referred to the arbitration of the British Government by which award the Rajah of Nipal engages to abide.

Article – VII
The Rajah of Nipal hereby engages never to take of retain in his service any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British Government.

Article – VIII
In order to secure and improve the relations of amity and peace hereby established between the two States, it is agreed that accredited Ministers from each shall reside at the Court of the other.

Article – IX
This treaty, consisting of nine Articles, shall be ratified by the Rajah of Nipal within fifteen days from this date, and the ratification shall be delivered to Lieutenant-Colonel Bradshaw, who engages to obtain and deliver the ratification of the Governor-General within twenty days, or sooner, if practicable. Done at Segowlee, on the 2nd day of December 1815. PARIS BRADSHAW, Lt. Col., P.A. Received this treaty from Chunder Seekur Opedeea, Agent on the part of the Rajah Nipal, in the valley of Muckwaunpoor, at half-past two o’clock p.m. on the 4th of March 1816, and delivered to him the Counterpart Treaty on behalf of the British Government.
(Note: In the agreement text, the following are the current proper spellings: Nipal is Nepal, Bootwul is Butwal, Gunduck is Gandak, Coosah is Kushaha, Mitchee is Mechi, Teestah is Teesta River, Nagarcote is Nagarkot, Morung is Morang District, Sugowlee is Sugauli, and Chander Seekur Opedeea is Chandra Shekhar Upadhyay.)