16 Questions
What was the British East India Company's strategy for expanding power in India?
The strategy was based on peaceful annexation and military conquests, as well as using the Subsidiary Alliance system.
Who perfected the Subsidiary Alliance system for the British in India?
Lord Wellesley
What method did the British use to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and bother of war?
The Subsidiary Alliance system
Why did the British prefer not to fight wars with the different regional rulers in India?
Wars were usually expensive and added severe strain on the British resources.
Under what pretexts did the British annex some territories in India?
Under the pretext of maladministration or misgovernment.
By what year had the British East India Company become one of the major contenders for supreme power in India?
By 1773
What were the conditions of the Subsidiary Alliance imposed by the British on Indian rulers?
Permanent placement of British troops, payment for maintenance of troops, presence of a British official at court, restrictions on employment of Europeans, prohibition on forming alliances or declaring war without British permission, acknowledgment of British Company as paramount power
What advantages did the British gain from the Subsidiary Alliance?
Maintenance of large armies at the expense of Indian rulers, acquisition of valuable territories as subsidiary payment, exclusion of European rivals from the courts of Indian rulers, and control over the foreign policy of subsidiary states
What were the disadvantages for the Indian rulers under the Subsidiary Alliance?
Loss of independence and authority, collapse of administration leading to annexation, neglect of welfare of people, and aid to the British in subjugating powerful kingdoms
What methods were adopted by the British for empire-building in India?
Doctrine of Lapse, annexation on the grounds of maladministration, and subjugation of powerful kingdoms
Who was responsible for formulating the policy of Doctrine of Lapse?
Lord Dalhousie
What was the purpose of the policy of Doctrine of Lapse?
Peaceful annexation of subordinate Indian states and bringing them under direct British rule
Why did the Indian rulers lose interest in the welfare of the people under the Subsidiary Alliance?
They were fully protected by the British against external and internal enemies, leading to neglect of the people's welfare as they were no longer afraid of revolts
How did the British use the collapse of administration as an excuse for annexing the kingdom under the Subsidiary Alliance?
The British used it as a justification for annexing the kingdom on the grounds of misgovernment
What was the role of the British official (Resident) in the court of the Indian ruler under the Subsidiary Alliance?
To oversee and influence the decisions of the Indian ruler, acting as a representative of the British interests
What significant impact did the Subsidiary Alliance have on the Indian states?
Disastrous effects such as loss of independence, collapse of administration, and aiding the British in subjugating powerful kingdoms
Study Notes
British East India Company's Expansion in India
- The British East India Company's strategy for expanding power in India involved the use of the Subsidiary Alliance system, which was perfected by Lord Wellesley.
- This system allowed the British to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and bother of war, as they preferred not to fight wars with regional rulers in India.
- The British used the pretext of misgovernment, maladministration, or the failure of a ruler to provide adequate protection to their people to annex territories in India.
Subsidiary Alliance System
- The British East India Company became one of the major contenders for supreme power in India by 1818.
- Under the Subsidiary Alliance, Indian rulers had to accept a British Resident in their court, who would advise the ruler on matters of governance.
- The conditions of the Subsidiary Alliance included the Indian ruler's agreement to provide a subsidy to the British, and the British would provide protection from external threats.
- The British gained advantages from the Subsidiary Alliance, including a secure source of revenue and the ability to influence governance in Indian states.
- Indian rulers, on the other hand, suffered disadvantages, including loss of independence and control over their territories.
British Empire-Building in India
- The British adopted various methods for empire-building in India, including the use of military power and the Subsidiary Alliance system.
- The policy of Doctrine of Lapse was formulated by Lord Dalhousie, which allowed the British to annex territories where the ruler died without a natural heir or where the ruler was found unfit to rule.
Consequences of Subsidiary Alliance
- The Subsidiary Alliance led to Indian rulers losing interest in the welfare of their people, as they became more dependent on the British for protection and governance.
- The British used the collapse of administration as an excuse for annexing kingdoms under the Subsidiary Alliance.
- The Subsidiary Alliance had a significant impact on Indian states, leading to the loss of independence and autonomy for many rulers.
Test your knowledge about the British East India Company's expansion in India and their strategic policies to eliminate rivals. Learn about the company's shift from a trading company to a major contender for power in India and their efforts to avoid costly wars.
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