The East India Company forced many states into a “subsidiary all...
Justification: Statement 1: Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces. But, they could keep forces within their Kingdom, so 1 is incorrect.
They were to be protected by the Company, but had to pay for the “subsidiary forces” that the Company was supposed to maintain for the purpose of this protection.
Statement 2: If the Indian rulers failed to make the payment, then part of their territory was taken away as penalty. It was not a mandatory clause. So, 2 is also wrong.
Learning: When Richard Wellesley was GovernorGeneral (1798-1805), the Nawab of Awadh was forced to
give over half of his territory to the Company in 1801, as he failed to pay for the “subsidiary forces”. Hyderabad
was also forced to cede territories on similar grounds.
Q Source: Page 111: Class 7th NCERT History: Our Pasts-II
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The East India Company forced many states into a “subsidiary all...
The correct answer is option 'D' - None.
Explanation:
The subsidiary alliance was a policy introduced by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805, as a means to establish British control over Indian states without direct annexation. The policy aimed to subordinate Indian states to the British East India Company and ensure their dependence on the Company for protection and governance.
1. No Indian ruler was allowed to keep armed forces in his kingdom: This statement is incorrect. Under the subsidiary alliance, Indian rulers were indeed allowed to keep armed forces in their kingdom, but they had to maintain a British-controlled contingent of troops, known as a subsidiary force, within their territory. These forces were meant to ensure the security and stability of the state and were under the command of British officers. The Indian ruler's own armed forces were not disbanded but were placed under British supervision.
2. Half of the land territory of the states was to be transferred to the Company as a debt security instrument: This statement is also incorrect. The subsidiary alliance did not involve the transfer of land territory to the East India Company. However, the Indian states were required to pay for the maintenance of the subsidiary force stationed in their territory. If the Indian ruler failed to make the payments, the Company would deduct the amount from the state's revenue or assets. This arrangement ensured that the Indian states remained financially dependent on the Company.
In summary, neither of the statements mentioned in the question is correct. The subsidiary alliance did not prohibit Indian rulers from maintaining armed forces in their kingdom, and it did not involve the transfer of land territory to the East India Company. The policy aimed to establish British control and influence over Indian states by placing a subsidiary force within their territories and making them financially dependent on the Company.