Question

The Subsidiary Alliance was a non-intervention policy devised by _______ in 1798.
1. Lord Bentinck
2. Lord Wellesley
3. Lord Cornwallis
4. Lord Irwin

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Lord Wellesley

The correct answer is Lord Wellesley.

• The Subsidiary Alliance was a non-intervention policy devised by Lord Wellesley in 1798. 
  • He effectively institutionalized the policy of “non-intervention” which made the Nawab and Nizams subsidiary allies by signing almost 100 such treaties.

• Subsidiary Alliance
  • It was basically a treaty between the British East India Company and therefore the Indian princely states, by virtue of which the Indian kingdoms lost their sovereignty to the English.
  • It was framed by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India.
  • The Nawab of Awadh was the first ruler to enter into the subsidiary alliance with the British after the Battle of Buxar.
• The terms of the subsidiary Alliance were-
  •  Indian princely states would disband their armed forces and accept British forces in their territory. In return, the British would protect the Indian state against any foreign attack or internal revolt.
  • Indian princely states would allow the stationing of the British contingent in his Kingdom.
  • The ally would have to provide the resources for maintaining the British contingent in the territory.
  • They would carry on his administration with the advice of the British president.
  • The British promised non-interference in internal affairs of the Indian state but this was rarely kept.
  • The permission of the British was needed for the ally to enter into agreements with other rulers or any other foreign power.