Explain the terms given below : (1) Trading centre. (2) subsidiary Alliance system
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Example - The World Trade Centers Association, headquartered in New York City, is the umbrella organization for over 330 World Trade Centers in more than 100 countries.
(2) Subsidiary alliance- Subsidiary Alliance was basically a treaty between the British East India Company and the Indian princely states, by virtue of which the Indian kingdoms lost their sovereignty to the English. It also was a major process that led to the building of the British Empire in India. It was framed by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805. It was actually used for the first time by the French Governor-General Marquis Dupleix.
An Indian ruler entering into Subsidiary Alliance with the British had to dissolve his own armed forces and accept British forces in his territory.
He also had to pay for the British army’s maintenance.If he failed to make the payment, a portion of his territory would be taken away and ceded to the British.
In return, the British would protect the Indian state against any foreign attack or internal revolt.
The British promised non-interference in internal affairs of the Indian state but this was rarely kept.
The Indian state could not enter into any alliance with any other foreign power.
He could also not employ any other foreign nationals other than Englishmen in his service. And, if he were employing any, on signing of the alliance, he had to terminate them from his service. The idea was to curb the influence of the French.
The Indian state could also not enter into any political connection with another Indian state without British approval.
The Indian ruler, thus, lost all powers in respect of foreign affairs and the military.
He virtually lost all his independence and became a British ‘protectorate’.
A British Resident was also stationed in the Indian Court.
Hope it helps you.
2) After the battle of Plassey in 1757, the battle of Buxar in 1764 and gaining the Diwani of Bengal, the company began to expand its rule in many parts of India. For that it had devised several plans, one among them was the “Subsidiary Alliance”. Subsidiary Alliance system was means used by the Company to extend its control over the Indian states.
According to the terms of this alliance -
The East India Company behaved as a guardian of the State.
The State appointed an English Resident in its court, to check the activities of the king.
Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces.
The State could not give shelter to any other European other than English in its army.
The Indian states entering into subsidiary alliance were protected by the Company’s forces but had to pay for the maintenance of the British troops. The Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces. If the Indian rulers failed to make payments to the British, part of their kingdom was taken away as penalty.