Question

write 3 merits and demerits of subsidiary alliance

Answer 1

Subsidiary alliance refers to an alliance between the princely states and the East India Company. Under this alliance, The East India Company protected the princely states through the armed forces provided by the East India Company in return of a subsidy paid by the rulers. This was framed by Lord Wellesley. This alliance had both merits and demerits:

Merits:

·         The states received protection from their neighbors.

·         Since the rulers could not wage a war without the permission from the East India company, the number of local wars came down.

·         Indian soldiers along with the British Army received the same training.

Demerits:

·         The subsidy paid amounted to one-third of states earnings. Failing to pay resulted in heavy taxes.

·         The rulers became passive as they had no control over the administration of the military troops.

·         Accepting the alliance meant accepting subordination to the British rulers.