Governor/Governor General/Viceroy

11. Consider the following statements related to Wellesley’s administratio

Consider the following statements related to Wellesley’s administration:

  • 1. In the six years of Wellesley’s administration, the army accounted for 42.5 percent of the Company’s total expenditure.
  • 2. Wellesley’s administrative measures were restricted to the affairs of the Company and had nothing to do with the commercial and military affairs of the Indian ruling families.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2019
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Statement 1 is likely correct. Lord Wellesley’s period (1798-1805) was marked by aggressive expansion through the Subsidiary Alliance system and direct military action, leading to frequent wars (like the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the Second Anglo-Maratha War). This period saw a massive increase in the East India Company’s military expenditure and debt. Historical accounts confirm that military costs constituted a very significant portion of the Company’s total expenditure during this time. Statement 2 is incorrect. Wellesley’s policies, especially the Subsidiary Alliance, directly involved and profoundly impacted the commercial, military, and political affairs of Indian ruling families, bringing them under British control and undermining their sovereignty. His administration was far from being restricted only to Company affairs; it aimed at establishing British paramountcy in India.
Wellesley’s administration was characterized by imperial expansionism through the Subsidiary Alliance and wars, leading to increased British dominance and substantial military expenditure.
The Subsidiary Alliance system required Indian rulers to disband their own armies, accept a British force stationed in their territory (paid for by the ruler), and accept a British Resident at their court. This effectively brought the Indian states under British control and prevented them from forming alliances with each other or other foreign powers. This policy significantly increased the military burden on the Company and the states but secured British political and military supremacy.

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12. Subsidiary Alliance was a system devised by

Subsidiary Alliance was a system devised by

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Lord Wellesley
Lord Dalhousie
Lord Canning
Lord Ripon
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
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The correct answer is A. The system of Subsidiary Alliance was primarily implemented and expanded by Lord Wellesley.
Lord Wellesley served as the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805. He devised and widely used the Subsidiary Alliance system as a tool to bring Indian states under British control without direct annexation. Under this system, an Indian ruler would accept British paramountcy, agree to keep a British resident at their court, disband their own army and accept British troops for protection (paying for their maintenance), and not enter into alliances with other powers or engage in warfare without British permission. This system significantly expanded the territory and influence of the British East India Company.
Although the concept of British troops stationed in princely states existed before Wellesley, he systematized it into the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ and applied it aggressively to integrate many Indian states, such as Hyderabad, Mysore, Awadh, the Peshwa, etc., into the Company’s political sphere.

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13. Which one of the following statements about Subsidiary Alliance devise

Which one of the following statements about Subsidiary Alliance devised by Lord Wellesley in the year 1798 is not correct?

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The territories entering into a subsidiary alliance with the British were responsible for their own internal and external protection
In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed
The ally would have to provide the resources for maintaining the British contingent in the territory
The permission of the British was needed for the ally to enter into agreements with other rulers
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UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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The correct answer is A) The territories entering into a subsidiary alliance with the British were responsible for their own internal and external protection. This statement is incorrect. Under the Subsidiary Alliance system, the British East India Company undertook the responsibility for the external defence and internal security of the Indian state that accepted the alliance. In return, the state had to disband its own army, accept a British Resident, and cede territory or pay tribute for the maintenance of the British force stationed within its territory. The state effectively lost its sovereignty, particularly in matters of defence and foreign relations.
Under the Subsidiary Alliance, the British assumed the defence responsibility for the allied state, making the state dependent on the British for protection.
Statements B, C, and D correctly describe aspects of the Subsidiary Alliance system: a British contingent was stationed in the ally’s territory (B), the ally had to pay for this contingent (C), and the ally lost the right to negotiate independently with other rulers (D).

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14. Which Governor General of Bengal underwent impeachment proceedings in

Which Governor General of Bengal underwent impeachment proceedings in the British Parliament ?

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Robert Clive
Henry Vansittart
Warren Hastings
Lord Cornwallis
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
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Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal, faced impeachment proceedings in the British Parliament.
The impeachment of Warren Hastings was initiated by Edmund Burke and others in the House of Commons in 1787, accusing him of misconduct and corruption during his tenure in India. The trial in the House of Lords lasted from 1788 to 1795, but he was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Robert Clive was a key figure in the early expansion of British power but did not face impeachment proceedings in Parliament in the same manner as Hastings, though his actions were investigated. Henry Vansittart was Governor of Bengal before Hastings. Lord Cornwallis succeeded Hastings and implemented significant reforms like the Permanent Settlement.

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15. Which Viceroy had made the observation, “It’s a beautiful world if it

Which Viceroy had made the observation, “It’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi …..”?

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Lord Irwin
Lord Wavell
Lord Mountbatten
Lord Willingdon
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UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
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The correct answer is (D) Lord Willingdon.
The quote, often cited as “It’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi…”, is widely attributed to Lord Willingdon, who served as Viceroy of India from 1931 to 1936.
Lord Willingdon’s tenure coincided with the second phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement, following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Unlike his predecessor Irwin, Willingdon adopted a hardline stance against the Congress and Gandhi, quickly arresting Gandhi upon his return from the Second Round Table Conference and suppressing the movement. The quote reflects his frustration with Gandhi’s constant political activism which challenged the British administration.

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16. Who among the following introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal

Who among the following introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793?

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Lord Cornwallis
Lord Ripon
Robert Clive
John Adam
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UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
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Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793.
Lord Cornwallis, who served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1786 to 1793, is credited with implementing the Permanent Settlement in 1793. This system fixed the land revenue demand permanently and recognized the zamindars as the proprietors of the land.
Lord Ripon was a Viceroy known for reforms in local self-government and repeal of the Vernacular Press Act in the late 19th century (1880-1884). Robert Clive was a key figure in the early British East India Company’s rise to power in Bengal after the Battle of Plassey (1757), long before the Permanent Settlement. John Adam served as acting Governor-General briefly in 1823.

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17. Which one of the following was NOT a feature of the Subsidiary Allianc

Which one of the following was NOT a feature of the Subsidiary Alliance of Lord Wellesley ?

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The British were responsible for protecting the ally from any external threats
All internal threats were to be handled by the ally alone, with no help from the British
The ally was to provide resources for maintaining a British armed contingent stationed in its territory
The ally could not enter into any agreement with other rulers without the permission of the British
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UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
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The statement that all internal threats were to be handled by the ally alone, with no help from the British, was NOT a feature of the Subsidiary Alliance system.
The Subsidiary Alliance was a treaty system implemented by the British East India Company, primarily by Lord Wellesley, to bring Indian states under their control. Under this system, the Indian ruler had to accept British paramountcy and adhere to certain terms in exchange for protection.
A key provision of the Subsidiary Alliance was that the British promised to protect the allied state from *both* external aggression and internal rebellion. This provision for British assistance against internal threats was a crucial aspect that allowed the British to intervene in the internal affairs of the allied state and gradually undermine the ruler’s authority and control over his own subjects and army. Options A, C, and D correctly describe features of the Subsidiary Alliance: the British guaranteed protection from external threats (A), the ally had to pay for the British contingent (C), and the ally could not enter into treaties without British permission (D).

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18. Who among the following established the Public Works Department (PWD)

Who among the following established the Public Works Department (PWD) in India?

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Lord Dalhousie
Lord Bentinck
Lord Cornwallis
Warren Hastings
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
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Lord Dalhousie established the Public Works Department (PWD) in India.
Lord Dalhousie, who served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, significantly reorganized the administration. He is credited with creating a separate Public Works Department (PWD) to manage and develop infrastructure like roads, railways, irrigation canals, and buildings, which was previously handled inefficiently by military boards.
Dalhousie’s tenure is known for his aggressive annexation policy (Doctrine of Lapse) and significant modernization efforts, including the introduction of railways, telegraph, and postal reforms, alongside the establishment of the PWD.

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19. Which kingdom was described by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie as “A c

Which kingdom was described by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie as “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day” ?

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Delhi
Awadh
Jhansi
Gwalior
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
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Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India (1848-1856), famously described the kingdom of Awadh as “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day.” This statement reflected his intention to annex Awadh into British India. He finally annexed Awadh in 1856 on the pretext of misgovernance by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, despite the Nawab’s loyalty to the British.
– The quote “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day” was made by Lord Dalhousie.
– It referred to the kingdom of Awadh.
– Awadh was annexed by the British in 1856.
– The pretext for annexation was misgovernance.
The annexation of Awadh was one of the significant causes that contributed to the Great Revolt of 1857. It angered the ruling elite of Awadh, the sepoys (many of whom came from Awadh and saw their homes treated unfairly), and the general population who faced high taxation and disruption of social structures under British rule.

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20. Which one of the following British officials was elevated to the posit

Which one of the following British officials was elevated to the position of Governor General after the Regulating Act of 1773?

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Warren Hastings
Lord North
Mountstuart Elphinstone
Philip Francis
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
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The Regulating Act of 1773 is a landmark Act in the constitutional history of India. It designated the Governor of Bengal as the ‘Governor-General of Bengal’ and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him. Warren Hastings, who was already the Governor of Bengal, became the first Governor-General under this Act.
The Act unified the three presidencies of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay under the Governor-General of Bengal, centralizing the administration of the East India Company’s territories in India.
The Act also established a Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774, comprising a Chief Justice and three other judges. The first Chief Justice was Sir Elijah Impey. The Act marked the first step by the British Parliament to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company.

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