Question

With reference to the Subsidiary Alliance System perfected by Lord Wellesley, answer the following:

Discuss the disastrous effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the Indian states.

Answer 1

The Subsidiary Alliance system was perfected by Lord Wellesley, the Governor General of India, from 1797 until 1805 to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and bother of war. Any Indian ruler whose security was threatened was encouraged to seek help from and enter into an alliance with the British, who promised to protect the ruler from e email attacks and internal revolts. The Indian ruler had to accept specific terms and conditions. This arrangement was known as the Subsidiary Alliance.

Disadvantages for the Indian Rulers The Subsidiary Alliance had disastrous effects on the Indian states:

1. The Indian rulers of subsidiary states lost their independence. They virtually became puppets in the hands of the British.
2. The payment of huge subsidies led to a heavy drain on their resources and the impoverishment and decay of the states. The administration collapsed.
3. When the administration collapsed, the British used it as an excuse for annexing the kingdom on grounds of misgovernment.
4. The Indian rulers were fully protected by the British against external and internal enemies. They lost interest in the welfare of the people and neglected them as they were no longer afraid of revolts. The people suffered untold miseries under irresponsible and oppressive rulers.
5. The Subsidiary Alliance aided the British in subjugating the powerful kingdom of the Marathas.