Question

Who among the following introduced the subsidiary alliance system in India?
A) Lord Cunningham
B) Lord Cliv
C) Lord Wellesley
D) Lord Canning

Answer 1

C is the correct answer

Answer 2

The doctrine of subsidiary alliance was the brainchild of Lord Wellesley, British Governor-General in India.

He initially followed the principle of non-intervention in the princely states, but  over a period of time he came up with the policy of forming subsidiary alliances which helped the British expand in India.

The subsidiary alliance did not allow the princely rulers to have an independent armed force. The State would have to rely on the East India Company for any such force. The company in providing so would charge the princely states with an amount for the upkeep of the 'subsidiary forces' . In the face of default  on the part of the Indian rulers ,a portion of their territory would be taken away as penalty.