Question

The introduction of Subsidiary Alliance was a strategic move of the British. Justify the statement

Answer 1

Answer:

The subsidiary lliance was a strategic move of the British. It stated that Indian rulers were not allowed to maintain their own independent army. They were forced to keep British Army. Indian rulers had to pay for the subsidiary forces. If they failed to pay then the part of their territory was kept as penalty. It was clearly a successful strategy because the loss from both sides was of the rulers. Profit was only of the British.

Answer 2

Answer:

Yes

Explanation:

The British East India Company started an outright war of non-intervention policy and the assumption of the territories of previously subordinated rulers to achieve political aspiration i.e. bringing Indian States within the orbit of British power. The Subsidiary Alliance System was “Non-Intervention Policy” used by Lord Wellesley who was the Governor-General (1798-1805) to establish British Empire in India. According to this system, every ruler in India had to accept to pay a subsidy to the British for the maintenance of British army. In return, British would protect them from their enemies which gave British enormous expansion.

British Landing

It was firstly used by Lord Wellesley who effectively institutionalised the policy of “non intervention” which made the Nawab and Nizams subsidiary allies by signing almost 100 such treaties.  

Key points of the Subsidiary Alliance

1. The allies of Indian state’s ruler were compelled to accept the permanent garrison of British Army within their territories and to pay a subsidy for its maintenance.

2. The Indian ruler could not employ any European in their service without prior approval of British.

3. They could not negotiate with any other Indian rulers without consulting the Governor-General.

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