Subsidiary Alliance System
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a system of alliances between the British East India Company and Indian states. The system was established in the late 18th century and continued until the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Under the system, Indian states were required to cede territory to the British, to accept a British resident at their court, and to agree to follow British advice on all matters of Foreign Policy and internal administration. In return, the British agreed to protect the Indian states from external aggression.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a major factor in the expansion of British power in India. It allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was not without its critics. Some Indian rulers felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British. Others argued that the system was unfair, as it gave the British a disproportionate amount of power in India.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion showed that the system was not as effective as the British had thought it was. The British also realized that they needed to be more careful about how they treated Indian rulers.
The following are some of the sub topics of the Subsidiary Alliance System:
- History of the Subsidiary Alliance System
- Criticism of the Subsidiary Alliance System
- Abolition of the Subsidiary Alliance System
- Impact of the Subsidiary Alliance System on India
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a system of alliances between the British East India Company and Indian states. The system was established in the late 18th century and continued until the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Under the system, Indian states were required to cede territory to the British, to accept a British resident at their court, and to agree to follow British advice on all matters of foreign policy and internal administration. In return, the British agreed to protect the Indian states from external aggression.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a major factor in the expansion of British power in India. It allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was not without its critics. Some Indian rulers felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British. Others argued that the system was unfair, as it gave the British a disproportionate amount of power in India.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion showed that the system was not as effective as the British had thought it was. The British also realized that they needed to be more careful about how they treated Indian rulers.
History of the Subsidiary Alliance System
The Subsidiary Alliance System was first established in 1798 by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India. Wellesley believed that the best way to control India was to establish alliances with Indian states. Under these alliances, the Indian states would cede territory to the British, accept a British resident at their court, and agree to follow British advice on all matters of foreign policy and internal administration. In return, the British agreed to protect the Indian states from external aggression.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was very successful for the British. It allowed them to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
Criticism of the Subsidiary Alliance System
The Subsidiary Alliance System was not without its critics. Some Indian rulers felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British. Others argued that the system was unfair, as it gave the British a disproportionate amount of power in India.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was also criticized for being a system of “indirect rule.” Under this system, the British did not directly administer Indian states, but they did have a great deal of influence over them. This led to resentment among some Indian rulers and their subjects.
Abolition of the Subsidiary Alliance System
The Subsidiary Alliance System was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion showed that the system was not as effective as the British had thought it was. The British also realized that they needed to be more careful about how they treated Indian rulers.
After the rebellion, the British government decided to abolish the Subsidiary Alliance System. Instead, they established a new system of relations with Indian states. Under this new system, the British recognized the independence of Indian states, but they also retained the right to interfere in their internal affairs.
Impact of the Subsidiary Alliance System on India
The Subsidiary Alliance System had a significant impact on India. It allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
The Subsidiary Alliance System also had a negative impact on India. It led to resentment among some Indian rulers and their subjects. The system also made it difficult for Indian states to develop their own economies and political systems.
Overall, the Subsidiary Alliance System was a major factor in the expansion of British power in India. However, the system also had a number of negative consequences for India.
frequently asked questions
- What was the Subsidiary Alliance System?
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a system of alliances between the British East India Company and Indian states. The system was established in the late 18th century and continued until the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Under the system, Indian states were required to cede territory to the British, to accept a British resident at their court, and to agree to follow British advice on all matters of foreign policy and internal administration. In return, the British agreed to protect the Indian states from external aggression.
- What were the benefits of the Subsidiary Alliance System for the British?
The Subsidiary Alliance System allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
- What were the criticisms of the Subsidiary Alliance System?
Some Indian rulers felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British. Others argued that the system was unfair, as it gave the British a disproportionate amount of power in India.
- When was the Subsidiary Alliance System abolished?
The Subsidiary Alliance System was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- What was the impact of the Subsidiary Alliance System on India?
The Subsidiary Alliance System had a significant impact on India. It allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue. However, the system was also criticized for being unfair and for treating Indian rulers as vassals of the British. The system was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- Question: What was the arrangement that the British East India Company established with Indian princely states during colonial rule?
- Answer: It was a system where princely states agreed to seek British protection and not engage in relationships with other foreign powers.
- Question: How did the Subsidiary Alliance System impact the autonomy of Indian princely states?
- Answer: Princely states maintained nominal SovereigntySovereignty but were heavily dependent on British protection, relinquishing control over their foreign affairs.
- Question: What role did the British Resident play in the Subsidiary Alliance System? Answer: The Resident served as a British representative in princely courts, overseeing British interests and ensuring compliance with alliance terms.
- Question: What were the benefits for the British in implementing the Subsidiary Alliance System?
- Answer: It allowed the British to extend influence over vast territories without direct administration and provided economic advantages through tribute payments and military support.
- Question: How did the Subsidiary Alliance System contribute to the consolidation of British power in India?
- Answer: By establishing alliances with numerous princely states, the British East India Company effectively neutralized potential sources of resistance and expanded its territorial control.
MCQS
Question 1
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a system of alliances between the British East India Company and Indian states. Which of the following was not a requirement of the system for Indian states?
(A) To cede territory to the British
(B) To accept a British resident at their court
(CC) To agree to follow British advice on all matters of foreign policy and internal administration
(D) To pay tribute to the British
Answer
(D)
The Subsidiary Alliance System did not require Indian states to pay tribute to the British. Instead, Indian states were required to cede territory to the British, to accept a British resident at their court, and to agree to follow British advice on all matters of foreign policy and internal administration.
Question 2
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a major factor in the expansion of British power in India. Which of the following is not a reason why the system was so effective?
(A) It allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them.
(B) The system gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
(C) The system was supported by some Indian rulers, who saw it as a way to protect themselves from external aggression.
(D) The system was opposed by some Indian rulers, who felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British.
Answer
(C)
The Subsidiary Alliance System was not supported by all Indian rulers. Some Indian rulers felt that they were being treated as vassals of the British. However, the system was effective because it allowed the British to control Indian states without having to directly administer them. The system also gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states, such as manpower and revenue.
Question 3
The Subsidiary Alliance System was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Which of the following was not a reason for the abolition of the system?
(A) The rebellion showed that the system was not as effective as the British had thought it was.
(B) The British realized that they needed to be more careful about how they treated Indian rulers.
(C) The British wanted to avoid further rebellions.
(D) The British wanted to reduce their costs in India.
Answer
(D)
The British did want to reduce their costs in India, but this was not a reason for the abolition of the Subsidiary Alliance System. The system was abolished because the rebellion showed that it was not as effective as the British had thought it was. The British also realized that they needed to be more careful about how they treated Indian rulers.
Question 4
The Subsidiary Alliance System had a significant impact on India. Which of the following was not an impact of the system?
(A) It led to the expansion of British power in India.
(B) It gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states.
(C) It caused resentment among some Indian rulers.
(D) It led to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Answer
(D)
The Subsidiary Alliance System did not lead to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion was caused by a number of factors, including British economic policies, British interference in Indian religious and social customs, and British military presence in India.
Question 5
Overall, the Subsidiary Alliance System was a negative development for India. Which of the following is not a reason why the system was a negative development?
(A) It led to the expansion of British power in India.
(B) It gave the British access to the resources of the Indian states.
(C) It caused resentment among some Indian rulers.
(D) It led to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Answer
(B)
The Subsidiary Alliance System did give the British access to the resources of the Indian states, but this was not a negative development. The system was a negative development because it led to the expansion of British power in India, caused resentment among some Indian rulers, and led to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- What was the arrangement in which Indian princely states agreed to seek British protection and not engage in relationships with other foreign powers?
- A) Annexation Policy
- B) Paramountcy Doctrine
- C) Lapse Doctrine
- D) Treaty of Friendship
- Under which system did princely states maintain nominal Sovereignty but were heavily dependent on British protection?
- A) Annexation System
- B) Sovereignty Treaty
- C) Protectorate Arrangement
- D) Suzerainty Agreement
- What role did the British Resident serve in the system where British representatives oversaw princely states?
- A) Military Commander
- B) Economic Advisor
- C) Cultural Liaison
- D) Administrative Overseer
- What were the economic benefits for the British in implementing this system in India?
- A) Direct TaxationTaxation
- B) Tribute Payments
- C) Trade Monopoly
- D) Land Revenue Collection
- How did the system contribute to the expansion of British territorial control in India?
- A) Direct Annexation
- B) Indirect Influence
- C) Cultural Assimilation
- D) Religious Conversion