Question

Describe the merits and demerits of subsidiary alliance system.

Answer 1

Here are some of the impacts the subsidiary alliance brought in by Lord Wellesley had on India:
 
The Merits:
-The Indian rulers who accepted the subsidiary relationship obtained security from the British and wereprotected from their neighbors.
-since one of the terms of the agreement to the subsidiary alliance was that no ruler could make war without the consent of the British, most of the wars among them was contained.
-The local armies were trained and equipped by the British, hence led to a more formidable Indian army.
-Governorship was  left for the British and this gave the Indians the chance to unite as they felt really oppressed by their rule.
The demerits:
-Indian princes lost their administrative powers and hence obtained a more submissive stature.
-Due to lack of practicing their authority the Indian rulers were heavily demoralized and grew weaker.
-One of the requirements of the subsidiary alliance was to have the rulers pay subsidiary for the protection they received. This meant that the rulers had to tax the locals-which resulted to heavy taxes that led to the oppression of the local Indians.
-By accepting a subordinate state, the Princes of India surrendered the sovereignty of India to the British and along with it, their independence. 

Answer 2

Merits of Subsidiary Alliance System :

• Indian rulers who accepted the Subsidiary relationship obtained security from the British and were protected from their neighbours.
• The local armies were trained and equipped btmy the British.
• Since one the term of subsidiary alliance was that no ruler could make war without the consent of British. With this most of the internal wars became limited.

Demerits of Subsidiary Alliance system :

• The system proved to be beneficial for the British. The Indian princes were now deprived of any opportunity to join hands against the company.
• It gave the company a chance to expand their territories in India.
• The Indian rulers had to face the interference of the British residents in their everyday affairs, Indian rulers lost their administrative as well as financial independence.
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