explain the system of "subsidiary alliance"
Subsidiary Alliance is a system developed by the East India Company. An Indian ruler entering into a subsidiary alliance with the British had to accept British forces in his territory and also agreed to pay for their maintenance.
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explain the system of "subsidiary alliance"
Subsidiary Alliance System:
The subsidiary alliance system was a form of indirect control and dominance implemented by the British East India Company in India during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Key Points:
- Introduction: The subsidiary alliance system was introduced by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India, in the early 19th century.
- Objective: The main aim of this system was to establish British control over Indian princely states without directly annexing them.
- Features: Under this system, princely states were required to accept British troops within their territories for their protection. They were also required to pay for the maintenance of these troops.
- Loss of Autonomy: Princely states were stripped of their autonomy in matters of foreign relations and defense, effectively making them puppets of the British East India Company.
- Benefits to the British: The subsidiary alliance system allowed the British to maintain control over a large part of India without incurring the costs of direct administration.
- Resistance and Revolts: Some Indian rulers resisted the imposition of subsidiary alliances, leading to conflicts and revolts against British rule.
- Impact: The subsidiary alliance system played a significant role in the consolidation of British power in India and paved the way for the eventual British colonial rule over the entire subcontinent.
In conclusion, the subsidiary alliance system was a strategic mechanism used by the British East India Company to assert control over Indian princely states and expand their dominance in the region.
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