History question from High Court exam, 2026 by JKSSB
Which treaty in 1846 led to the formal establishment of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir?
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
Treaty of Amritsar
The correct answer is C) Treaty of Amritsar.
Explanation
Signed on March 16, 1846, between the British East India Company and Maharaja Gulab Singh, the Treaty of Amritsar formally established the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. Under this agreement, Gulab Singh acquired the Kashmir Valley along with parts of Ladakh and Gilgit from the British for a sum of 75 lakh Nanakshahi rupees, following the defeat of the Sikh Empire in the First Anglo-Sikh War.
Treaty of Lahore (1846): Signed a week earlier (March 9, 1846) to conclude the First Anglo-Sikh War, forcing the Sikh Empire to cede Kashmir and other territories to the British in lieu of war indemnity.
Treaty of Sugauli (1815–1816): Ended the Anglo-Nepalese War and established the boundary line of Nepal.
Treaty of Shimla (1972): A peace treaty signed between India and Pakistan following the 1971 war.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
