Q. Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?

  • To maintain a large standing army at others expense
  • To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
  • To secure a fixed income for the Company
  • To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States

Answer: (c) To secure a fixed income for the Company

Subsidiary Alliance:
  • It was “Non-Intervention Policy” used by Lord Wellesley to bring Princely states under the control of the British.
  • To counter the intrigues of Napoleon and any further development of French Power in India, Wellesley, introduced Subsidiary Alliance to eliminate the French Power from India and to maintain British Supremacy in India.
  • An Indian ruler entering into a subsidiary alliance with the British had to accept British forces in his territory and also agreed to pay for their maintenance. If they couldn’t afford it, they had to cede some territory.
  • Rulers were required to seek British approval before engaging in any foreign relations or warfare with other Indian states.
  • A British resident was stationed at the court of the allied state to oversee and influence local governance and policies.
  • The Indian ruler would not recruit any Europeans other than the British, and if he were already doing so, he would dismiss them.
  • Major states under subsidiary alliance include Hyderabad, Mysore, Awadh, Tanjore, Bharatpur and others.
    • Nizam of Hyderabad (1798): First to accept the Subsidiary Alliance, in September 1798 and again in 1800, securing British military support.
    • Ruler of Mysore (1799): Accepted the alliance in 1799 after the defeat of Tipu Sultan, placing Mysore under British protection.
    • Ruler of Tanjore (1799): Entered the alliance in October 1799, leading to increased British influence in Southern India.
    • Nawab of Awadh (1801): Accepted in November 1801, which marked the beginning of Awadh’s gradual decline under British control.
    • Peshwa (1801): Signed the alliance in December 1801, significantly weakening Maratha’s power and sovereignty.
    • Bhonsle Raja of Berar (1803): Agreed to the terms in December 1803, furthering British dominance in Central India.
    • Sindhia (1804): Accepted in February 1804, consolidating British influence in the Maratha Empire.
    • Rajput States (Jodhpur, Jaipur, Macheri, Bundi): Accepted in 1818, bringing much of Rajasthan under British control.
    • Ruler of Bharatpur: Also accepted in 1818, ending significant resistance in the region.
    • Holkars (1818): The last Maratha confederation to accept the alliance in 1818, marking the end of Maratha’s independence and solidifying British supremacy in India.