Q. Which of the following sites were obtained by the British East India Company under the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816?
1. Kathmandu
2. Shimla
3. Ranikhet
4. Nainital
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
a) 1 and 2
b) Only 3 and 4
c) 2, 3 and 4
d) Only 1
Correct Answer: b) Only 3 and 4
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2025
Explanation:
The Treaty of Sugauli (1815–16) ended the Anglo–Nepalese War. By this treaty, Nepal ceded the hill tracts of Kumaon and (most of) Garhwal, including the Dehra Dun, to the British East India Company and accepted a British Resident at Kathmandu.
– Kathmandu (1): Not ceded; it remained Nepal’s capital. Only a British Resident was posted there. Hence incorrect.
– Shimla (2): Not obtained under Sugauli. The Shimla area belonged to small hill states (e.g., Keonthal/Sirmaur) that were restored to their rulers; the British acquired the Shimla ridge later by separate arrangements in the 1820s–30s. Hence incorrect here.
– Ranikhet (3) and Nainital (4): Both lie in Kumaon, which was ceded to the EIC under the treaty; these towns were later developed under British rule. Hence correct.
Therefore, only 3 and 4 are correct.
