TN History Textbook: The Marquess of Wellesley (1798-1805) | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


The appointment of Richard Colley Wellesley as Governor-
General marks an epoch in the history of British India. He was a
great imperialist and called himself ‘a Bengal tiger’. Wellesley came
to India with a determination to launch a forward policy in order to
make ‘the British Empire in India’ into ‘the British Empire of India’.
The system that he adopted to achieve his object is known as the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
Political Condition of India at the time
of Wellesley’s Arrival
In the north-western India, the danger of
Zaman Shah’s aggression posed a serious threat
to the British power in India. In the north and
central India, the Marathas remained a
formidable political power. The Nizam of
Hyderabad employed the Frenchmen to train his
LESSON 3
THE MARQUESS OF WELLESLEY (1798-1805)
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The political condition of India at the time of the arrival of
Lord Wellesley
2. The Meaning of Subsidiary System
3. Merits and defects of the Subsidiary System
4. The Indian states that come under this system
5. Fourth Mysore War and the final fall of Tipu Sultan
6. War with the Marathas.
7. Estimate of Lord Wellesley
LORD WELLESLEY
24
Page 2


The appointment of Richard Colley Wellesley as Governor-
General marks an epoch in the history of British India. He was a
great imperialist and called himself ‘a Bengal tiger’. Wellesley came
to India with a determination to launch a forward policy in order to
make ‘the British Empire in India’ into ‘the British Empire of India’.
The system that he adopted to achieve his object is known as the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
Political Condition of India at the time
of Wellesley’s Arrival
In the north-western India, the danger of
Zaman Shah’s aggression posed a serious threat
to the British power in India. In the north and
central India, the Marathas remained a
formidable political power. The Nizam of
Hyderabad employed the Frenchmen to train his
LESSON 3
THE MARQUESS OF WELLESLEY (1798-1805)
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The political condition of India at the time of the arrival of
Lord Wellesley
2. The Meaning of Subsidiary System
3. Merits and defects of the Subsidiary System
4. The Indian states that come under this system
5. Fourth Mysore War and the final fall of Tipu Sultan
6. War with the Marathas.
7. Estimate of Lord Wellesley
LORD WELLESLEY
24
army. The political unrest in the Karnatak region continued and Tipu
Sultan had remained the uncompromising enemy of the British.
Moreover, the policy of neutrality adopted by Sir John Shore,
the successor of Cornwallis, created a kind of political unrest in India
and greatly affected the prestige of the English. His non-intervention
policy contributed much to the growth of anti-British feelings. Further,
Napoleon’s move for an Eastern invasion created a fear among
English statesmen. It was in this light that Wellesley moulded his
policy. Preservation of British prestige and removal of French danger
from India were Wellesley’s twin aims.
He was also thoroughly convinced that only a strong British
power in India could reduce and control the existing tyranny and
corruption in Indian states. Therefore, he reversed the nonintervention
policy of his predecessor and formulated his master plan namely the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
The Subsidiary System
The predecessors of Wellesley concluded alliances with Indian
princes like the Nawab of Oudh and the Nizam of Hyderabad. They
received subsidies from the Indian rulers for the maintenance of British
troops, which were used for the protection of respective Indian states.
Wellesley enlarged and consolidated the already existing system.
However, his originality was revealed in its application.
Main Features of Subsidiary Alliance
1. Any Indian ruler who entered into the subsidiary alliance with
the British had to maintain a contingent of British troops in his
territory.  It was commanded by a British officer. The Indian
state was called ‘the protected state’ and the British
hereinafter were referred to as ‘the paramount power’. It
was the duty of the British to safeguard that state from external
aggression and to help its ruler maintain internal peace.  The
protected state should give some money or give part of its
territory to the British to support the subsidiary force.
2. The protected state should cut off its connection with European
powers other than the English and with the French in particular.
The state was also forbidden to have any political contact even
with other Indian powers without the permission of the British.
3. The ruler of the protected state should keep a British Resident
at his court and disband his own army. He should not employ
Europeans in his service without the sanction of the paramount
power.
4. The paramount power should not interfere in the internal affairs
of the protected state.
Benefits to the British
Wellesley’s Subsidiary System is regarded as one of the master-
strokes of British imperialism.  It increased the military strength of
the Company in India at the expense of the protected states. The
territories of the Company were free from the ravages of war thereby
establishing the stability of the British power in India. The position of
the British was strengthened against its Indian and non-Indian
enemies. Under the system, expansion of British power became easy.
Thus Wellesley’s diplomacy made the British the paramount power
in India.
Defects of the Subsidiary System
The immediate effect of the establishment of subsidiary forces
was the introduction of anarchy because of the unemployment of
thousands of soldiers sent away by the Indian princes. The freebooting
activities of disbanded soldiers were felt much in central India where
the menace of Pindaris affected the people.
25 26
Page 3


The appointment of Richard Colley Wellesley as Governor-
General marks an epoch in the history of British India. He was a
great imperialist and called himself ‘a Bengal tiger’. Wellesley came
to India with a determination to launch a forward policy in order to
make ‘the British Empire in India’ into ‘the British Empire of India’.
The system that he adopted to achieve his object is known as the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
Political Condition of India at the time
of Wellesley’s Arrival
In the north-western India, the danger of
Zaman Shah’s aggression posed a serious threat
to the British power in India. In the north and
central India, the Marathas remained a
formidable political power. The Nizam of
Hyderabad employed the Frenchmen to train his
LESSON 3
THE MARQUESS OF WELLESLEY (1798-1805)
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The political condition of India at the time of the arrival of
Lord Wellesley
2. The Meaning of Subsidiary System
3. Merits and defects of the Subsidiary System
4. The Indian states that come under this system
5. Fourth Mysore War and the final fall of Tipu Sultan
6. War with the Marathas.
7. Estimate of Lord Wellesley
LORD WELLESLEY
24
army. The political unrest in the Karnatak region continued and Tipu
Sultan had remained the uncompromising enemy of the British.
Moreover, the policy of neutrality adopted by Sir John Shore,
the successor of Cornwallis, created a kind of political unrest in India
and greatly affected the prestige of the English. His non-intervention
policy contributed much to the growth of anti-British feelings. Further,
Napoleon’s move for an Eastern invasion created a fear among
English statesmen. It was in this light that Wellesley moulded his
policy. Preservation of British prestige and removal of French danger
from India were Wellesley’s twin aims.
He was also thoroughly convinced that only a strong British
power in India could reduce and control the existing tyranny and
corruption in Indian states. Therefore, he reversed the nonintervention
policy of his predecessor and formulated his master plan namely the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
The Subsidiary System
The predecessors of Wellesley concluded alliances with Indian
princes like the Nawab of Oudh and the Nizam of Hyderabad. They
received subsidies from the Indian rulers for the maintenance of British
troops, which were used for the protection of respective Indian states.
Wellesley enlarged and consolidated the already existing system.
However, his originality was revealed in its application.
Main Features of Subsidiary Alliance
1. Any Indian ruler who entered into the subsidiary alliance with
the British had to maintain a contingent of British troops in his
territory.  It was commanded by a British officer. The Indian
state was called ‘the protected state’ and the British
hereinafter were referred to as ‘the paramount power’. It
was the duty of the British to safeguard that state from external
aggression and to help its ruler maintain internal peace.  The
protected state should give some money or give part of its
territory to the British to support the subsidiary force.
2. The protected state should cut off its connection with European
powers other than the English and with the French in particular.
The state was also forbidden to have any political contact even
with other Indian powers without the permission of the British.
3. The ruler of the protected state should keep a British Resident
at his court and disband his own army. He should not employ
Europeans in his service without the sanction of the paramount
power.
4. The paramount power should not interfere in the internal affairs
of the protected state.
Benefits to the British
Wellesley’s Subsidiary System is regarded as one of the master-
strokes of British imperialism.  It increased the military strength of
the Company in India at the expense of the protected states. The
territories of the Company were free from the ravages of war thereby
establishing the stability of the British power in India. The position of
the British was strengthened against its Indian and non-Indian
enemies. Under the system, expansion of British power became easy.
Thus Wellesley’s diplomacy made the British the paramount power
in India.
Defects of the Subsidiary System
The immediate effect of the establishment of subsidiary forces
was the introduction of anarchy because of the unemployment of
thousands of soldiers sent away by the Indian princes. The freebooting
activities of disbanded soldiers were felt much in central India where
the menace of Pindaris affected the people.
25 26
Further, the subsidiary system had a demoralizing effect on
the princes of the protected states. Safeguarded against external
danger and internal revolt, they neglected their administrative
responsibilities. They preferred to lead easy-going and pleasure-
seeking lives. As a result misgovernment followed. In course of time,
the anarchy and misrule in several states had resulted in their
annexation by the British. Thus, the subsidiary system proved to be a
preparation for annexation.
Furthermore, the British collected very heavy subsidies from
the protected princes and this had adversely affected their economy.
Enforcement of the Subsidiary System
Hyderabad: Hyderabad was the first state which was brought
under Wellesley’s Subsidiary System in 1798. The treaty concluded
in 1798 was an ad hoc measure. It fixed the amount to be paid annually
at Rs.24 lakhs for the subsidiary force. In accordance with the treaty,
all the French troops in Hyderabad were disbanded and replaced by
a subsidiary British force. A new treaty was concluded in 1800 by
which the Nizam ceded large territories to the Company and this
constitutes the famous Ceded Districts.
Oudh: The threat of invasion by Zaman Shah of Afghanistan
was the pretext for Wellesley to force the Nawab of Oudh to enter
into a subsidiary treaty. Accordingly, the Nawab gave the British the
rich lands of Rohilkhand, the lower Doab and Gorakhpur for the
maintenance of an increased army which the British stationed in the
capital of Oudh. The strength of Nawab’s own army was reduced.
For the maintenance of law and order the British were authorised to
frame rules and regulations. By this, the British acquired the right to
interfere in the internal matters of Oudh. Although the Company
obtained a fertile and populous territory, which increased its resources,
the highhanded action of Wellesley was severely criticized.
Tanjore, Surat and the Karnatak
Wellesley assumed the administration of Tanjore, Surat and
the Karnatak by concluding treaties with the respective rulers of
these states. The Maratha state of Tanjore witnessed a succession
dispute. In 1799, Wellesley concluded a treaty with Serfoji. In
accordance with this treaty the British took over the administration
of the state and allowed Serfoji to retain the title of Raja with a
pension of 4 lakhs of rupees.
Raja Sarbhoji was a man of culture and attractive manners.
He was the disciple of Schwarts. He built the Saraswathi Mahal
Library in Tanjore which contains valuable books and manuscripts.
He patronized art and culture.
The principality of Surat came under British protection as early
as 1759. The Nawab of this historic city died in 1799 and his brother
succeeded him. The change of succession provided Wellesley an
opportunity to take over the administration of Surat.  The Nawab
was allowed to retain the title and given a pension of one lakh of
rupees.
The people of Karnatak had been suffering for a long time by
the double government. The Nawab, Umadat-ul-Umara was an
incompetent ruler noted for his extravagance and misrule. He died in
the middle of 1801 and his son, Ali Hussain became the Nawab.
Wellesley asked him to retire with a liberal pension leaving the
administration to the English. Since he refused, Wellesley signed a
treaty with Azim-ud daulah, the nephew of the deceased Nawab in
1801. Accordingly the entire military and civil administration of the
Karnatak came under the British.
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
The circumstances which led to the Fourth Mysore War can
be summarized as follows: Tipu Sultan wanted to avenge his
27 28
Page 4


The appointment of Richard Colley Wellesley as Governor-
General marks an epoch in the history of British India. He was a
great imperialist and called himself ‘a Bengal tiger’. Wellesley came
to India with a determination to launch a forward policy in order to
make ‘the British Empire in India’ into ‘the British Empire of India’.
The system that he adopted to achieve his object is known as the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
Political Condition of India at the time
of Wellesley’s Arrival
In the north-western India, the danger of
Zaman Shah’s aggression posed a serious threat
to the British power in India. In the north and
central India, the Marathas remained a
formidable political power. The Nizam of
Hyderabad employed the Frenchmen to train his
LESSON 3
THE MARQUESS OF WELLESLEY (1798-1805)
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The political condition of India at the time of the arrival of
Lord Wellesley
2. The Meaning of Subsidiary System
3. Merits and defects of the Subsidiary System
4. The Indian states that come under this system
5. Fourth Mysore War and the final fall of Tipu Sultan
6. War with the Marathas.
7. Estimate of Lord Wellesley
LORD WELLESLEY
24
army. The political unrest in the Karnatak region continued and Tipu
Sultan had remained the uncompromising enemy of the British.
Moreover, the policy of neutrality adopted by Sir John Shore,
the successor of Cornwallis, created a kind of political unrest in India
and greatly affected the prestige of the English. His non-intervention
policy contributed much to the growth of anti-British feelings. Further,
Napoleon’s move for an Eastern invasion created a fear among
English statesmen. It was in this light that Wellesley moulded his
policy. Preservation of British prestige and removal of French danger
from India were Wellesley’s twin aims.
He was also thoroughly convinced that only a strong British
power in India could reduce and control the existing tyranny and
corruption in Indian states. Therefore, he reversed the nonintervention
policy of his predecessor and formulated his master plan namely the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
The Subsidiary System
The predecessors of Wellesley concluded alliances with Indian
princes like the Nawab of Oudh and the Nizam of Hyderabad. They
received subsidies from the Indian rulers for the maintenance of British
troops, which were used for the protection of respective Indian states.
Wellesley enlarged and consolidated the already existing system.
However, his originality was revealed in its application.
Main Features of Subsidiary Alliance
1. Any Indian ruler who entered into the subsidiary alliance with
the British had to maintain a contingent of British troops in his
territory.  It was commanded by a British officer. The Indian
state was called ‘the protected state’ and the British
hereinafter were referred to as ‘the paramount power’. It
was the duty of the British to safeguard that state from external
aggression and to help its ruler maintain internal peace.  The
protected state should give some money or give part of its
territory to the British to support the subsidiary force.
2. The protected state should cut off its connection with European
powers other than the English and with the French in particular.
The state was also forbidden to have any political contact even
with other Indian powers without the permission of the British.
3. The ruler of the protected state should keep a British Resident
at his court and disband his own army. He should not employ
Europeans in his service without the sanction of the paramount
power.
4. The paramount power should not interfere in the internal affairs
of the protected state.
Benefits to the British
Wellesley’s Subsidiary System is regarded as one of the master-
strokes of British imperialism.  It increased the military strength of
the Company in India at the expense of the protected states. The
territories of the Company were free from the ravages of war thereby
establishing the stability of the British power in India. The position of
the British was strengthened against its Indian and non-Indian
enemies. Under the system, expansion of British power became easy.
Thus Wellesley’s diplomacy made the British the paramount power
in India.
Defects of the Subsidiary System
The immediate effect of the establishment of subsidiary forces
was the introduction of anarchy because of the unemployment of
thousands of soldiers sent away by the Indian princes. The freebooting
activities of disbanded soldiers were felt much in central India where
the menace of Pindaris affected the people.
25 26
Further, the subsidiary system had a demoralizing effect on
the princes of the protected states. Safeguarded against external
danger and internal revolt, they neglected their administrative
responsibilities. They preferred to lead easy-going and pleasure-
seeking lives. As a result misgovernment followed. In course of time,
the anarchy and misrule in several states had resulted in their
annexation by the British. Thus, the subsidiary system proved to be a
preparation for annexation.
Furthermore, the British collected very heavy subsidies from
the protected princes and this had adversely affected their economy.
Enforcement of the Subsidiary System
Hyderabad: Hyderabad was the first state which was brought
under Wellesley’s Subsidiary System in 1798. The treaty concluded
in 1798 was an ad hoc measure. It fixed the amount to be paid annually
at Rs.24 lakhs for the subsidiary force. In accordance with the treaty,
all the French troops in Hyderabad were disbanded and replaced by
a subsidiary British force. A new treaty was concluded in 1800 by
which the Nizam ceded large territories to the Company and this
constitutes the famous Ceded Districts.
Oudh: The threat of invasion by Zaman Shah of Afghanistan
was the pretext for Wellesley to force the Nawab of Oudh to enter
into a subsidiary treaty. Accordingly, the Nawab gave the British the
rich lands of Rohilkhand, the lower Doab and Gorakhpur for the
maintenance of an increased army which the British stationed in the
capital of Oudh. The strength of Nawab’s own army was reduced.
For the maintenance of law and order the British were authorised to
frame rules and regulations. By this, the British acquired the right to
interfere in the internal matters of Oudh. Although the Company
obtained a fertile and populous territory, which increased its resources,
the highhanded action of Wellesley was severely criticized.
Tanjore, Surat and the Karnatak
Wellesley assumed the administration of Tanjore, Surat and
the Karnatak by concluding treaties with the respective rulers of
these states. The Maratha state of Tanjore witnessed a succession
dispute. In 1799, Wellesley concluded a treaty with Serfoji. In
accordance with this treaty the British took over the administration
of the state and allowed Serfoji to retain the title of Raja with a
pension of 4 lakhs of rupees.
Raja Sarbhoji was a man of culture and attractive manners.
He was the disciple of Schwarts. He built the Saraswathi Mahal
Library in Tanjore which contains valuable books and manuscripts.
He patronized art and culture.
The principality of Surat came under British protection as early
as 1759. The Nawab of this historic city died in 1799 and his brother
succeeded him. The change of succession provided Wellesley an
opportunity to take over the administration of Surat.  The Nawab
was allowed to retain the title and given a pension of one lakh of
rupees.
The people of Karnatak had been suffering for a long time by
the double government. The Nawab, Umadat-ul-Umara was an
incompetent ruler noted for his extravagance and misrule. He died in
the middle of 1801 and his son, Ali Hussain became the Nawab.
Wellesley asked him to retire with a liberal pension leaving the
administration to the English. Since he refused, Wellesley signed a
treaty with Azim-ud daulah, the nephew of the deceased Nawab in
1801. Accordingly the entire military and civil administration of the
Karnatak came under the British.
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
The circumstances which led to the Fourth Mysore War can
be summarized as follows: Tipu Sultan wanted to avenge his
27 28
humiliating defeat and the terms imposed on him by the British. He
also aimed at making Mysore a strong state. Tipu worked continuously
to secure help to fight British imperialism. He took efforts to seek
the help of the France, Arabia, Kabul and Turkey. He corresponded
with the Revolutionary French Government in July 1798. At
Srirangapattinam, a Jacobian Club was started and the flag of the
French Republic was hoisted. The tree of Liberty was also planted.
Later, when Napoleon came to power, Tipu received a friendly letter
from Napoleon (who was in Egypt at that time).
 It was at this juncture that Wellesley reached Calcutta with a
mind already filled with fear of Napoleon. Therefore, he prepared for a
war against Mysore. As a part of his strategy, Wellesley tried to revive
the Triple Alliance of 1790 with the Marathas. Though his proposal was
not accepted by the Marathas, they promised to remain neutral. However,
a Subsidiary Alliance with the Nizam was concluded by the British and
as a consequence, the French force at Hyderabad was disbanded.
Wellesley set out to persuade Tipu to accept a pact of subsidiary
alliance and wrote letters requesting the Tipu to dismiss the French,
to receive an English envoy, and to make terms with the Company
and its allies.  Tipu paid scant attention to Wellesley’s letters and
thus the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war started.
The war was short and decisive. As planned, the Bombay army
under General Stuart invaded Mysore from the west. The Madras
army, which was led by the Governor-General’s brother, Arthur
Wellesley, forced Tipu to retreat to his capital Srirangapattinam.
Although severely wounded, he fought till his capital Srirangapattinam
was captured and he himself was shot dead.
Mysore After the War
With the fall of Tipu Sultan the kingdom of Mysore fell at the
feet of Wellesley. He restored Hindu rule at the central part of the
kingdom. A five year old boy, Krishnaraja III, a descendant of the
dethroned Hindu Raja, was enthroned at Mysore, which became the
capital almost after two hundred years. Purnaiya, the previous
minister, became Diwan. The remaining parts of the kingdom were
divided between the British and the Nizam.  The whole of Kanara,
Wynad, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri and Srirangapattinam were retained
by the British whereas the Nizam was given the areas around Gooty
and a part of Chittoor and Chitaldurg districts.  A British Resident
was  stationed at Mysore. Tipu’s family was sent to the fort of Vellore.
Wellesley and the Marathas
The only power that remained outside the purview of the
subsidiary system was the Marathas. Nana Fadnavis provided the
leadership to the Marathas. He was responsible for the preservation
of independence of his country from the onslaught of the British. By
extending a helping hand to Cornwallis against Tipu he was able to
acquire a large slice of territory as the share of the Marathas from
the kingdom of Mysore. His death in 1800 removed the last great
Maratha leader.
Peshwa Baji Rao II, despite his stately appearance and
immense learning, lacked political wisdom. The infighting among the
Maratha leaders proved to be self-destructive. Jaswant Rao Holkar
and Daulat Rao Scindia were fighting against each other. The Peshwa
supported Scindia against Holkar. Holkar marched against the
Peshwa. The combined forces of Scindia and the Peshwa were utterly
defeated. The city of Poona fell at the feet of the victor who did not
hesitate to commit all sorts of atrocities, including the torturing of
rich inhabitants. With rich booty Holkar returned to his capital.
Peshwa Baji Rao II was in great danger, so he fled to Bassein
where he signed the Treaty of Bassein with the British in 1802. It
was a subsidiary treaty and the Peshwa was recognized as the head
of the Maratha kingdom. Although it was nominal, the treaty was
29 30
Page 5


The appointment of Richard Colley Wellesley as Governor-
General marks an epoch in the history of British India. He was a
great imperialist and called himself ‘a Bengal tiger’. Wellesley came
to India with a determination to launch a forward policy in order to
make ‘the British Empire in India’ into ‘the British Empire of India’.
The system that he adopted to achieve his object is known as the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
Political Condition of India at the time
of Wellesley’s Arrival
In the north-western India, the danger of
Zaman Shah’s aggression posed a serious threat
to the British power in India. In the north and
central India, the Marathas remained a
formidable political power. The Nizam of
Hyderabad employed the Frenchmen to train his
LESSON 3
THE MARQUESS OF WELLESLEY (1798-1805)
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The political condition of India at the time of the arrival of
Lord Wellesley
2. The Meaning of Subsidiary System
3. Merits and defects of the Subsidiary System
4. The Indian states that come under this system
5. Fourth Mysore War and the final fall of Tipu Sultan
6. War with the Marathas.
7. Estimate of Lord Wellesley
LORD WELLESLEY
24
army. The political unrest in the Karnatak region continued and Tipu
Sultan had remained the uncompromising enemy of the British.
Moreover, the policy of neutrality adopted by Sir John Shore,
the successor of Cornwallis, created a kind of political unrest in India
and greatly affected the prestige of the English. His non-intervention
policy contributed much to the growth of anti-British feelings. Further,
Napoleon’s move for an Eastern invasion created a fear among
English statesmen. It was in this light that Wellesley moulded his
policy. Preservation of British prestige and removal of French danger
from India were Wellesley’s twin aims.
He was also thoroughly convinced that only a strong British
power in India could reduce and control the existing tyranny and
corruption in Indian states. Therefore, he reversed the nonintervention
policy of his predecessor and formulated his master plan namely the
‘Subsidiary Alliance’.
The Subsidiary System
The predecessors of Wellesley concluded alliances with Indian
princes like the Nawab of Oudh and the Nizam of Hyderabad. They
received subsidies from the Indian rulers for the maintenance of British
troops, which were used for the protection of respective Indian states.
Wellesley enlarged and consolidated the already existing system.
However, his originality was revealed in its application.
Main Features of Subsidiary Alliance
1. Any Indian ruler who entered into the subsidiary alliance with
the British had to maintain a contingent of British troops in his
territory.  It was commanded by a British officer. The Indian
state was called ‘the protected state’ and the British
hereinafter were referred to as ‘the paramount power’. It
was the duty of the British to safeguard that state from external
aggression and to help its ruler maintain internal peace.  The
protected state should give some money or give part of its
territory to the British to support the subsidiary force.
2. The protected state should cut off its connection with European
powers other than the English and with the French in particular.
The state was also forbidden to have any political contact even
with other Indian powers without the permission of the British.
3. The ruler of the protected state should keep a British Resident
at his court and disband his own army. He should not employ
Europeans in his service without the sanction of the paramount
power.
4. The paramount power should not interfere in the internal affairs
of the protected state.
Benefits to the British
Wellesley’s Subsidiary System is regarded as one of the master-
strokes of British imperialism.  It increased the military strength of
the Company in India at the expense of the protected states. The
territories of the Company were free from the ravages of war thereby
establishing the stability of the British power in India. The position of
the British was strengthened against its Indian and non-Indian
enemies. Under the system, expansion of British power became easy.
Thus Wellesley’s diplomacy made the British the paramount power
in India.
Defects of the Subsidiary System
The immediate effect of the establishment of subsidiary forces
was the introduction of anarchy because of the unemployment of
thousands of soldiers sent away by the Indian princes. The freebooting
activities of disbanded soldiers were felt much in central India where
the menace of Pindaris affected the people.
25 26
Further, the subsidiary system had a demoralizing effect on
the princes of the protected states. Safeguarded against external
danger and internal revolt, they neglected their administrative
responsibilities. They preferred to lead easy-going and pleasure-
seeking lives. As a result misgovernment followed. In course of time,
the anarchy and misrule in several states had resulted in their
annexation by the British. Thus, the subsidiary system proved to be a
preparation for annexation.
Furthermore, the British collected very heavy subsidies from
the protected princes and this had adversely affected their economy.
Enforcement of the Subsidiary System
Hyderabad: Hyderabad was the first state which was brought
under Wellesley’s Subsidiary System in 1798. The treaty concluded
in 1798 was an ad hoc measure. It fixed the amount to be paid annually
at Rs.24 lakhs for the subsidiary force. In accordance with the treaty,
all the French troops in Hyderabad were disbanded and replaced by
a subsidiary British force. A new treaty was concluded in 1800 by
which the Nizam ceded large territories to the Company and this
constitutes the famous Ceded Districts.
Oudh: The threat of invasion by Zaman Shah of Afghanistan
was the pretext for Wellesley to force the Nawab of Oudh to enter
into a subsidiary treaty. Accordingly, the Nawab gave the British the
rich lands of Rohilkhand, the lower Doab and Gorakhpur for the
maintenance of an increased army which the British stationed in the
capital of Oudh. The strength of Nawab’s own army was reduced.
For the maintenance of law and order the British were authorised to
frame rules and regulations. By this, the British acquired the right to
interfere in the internal matters of Oudh. Although the Company
obtained a fertile and populous territory, which increased its resources,
the highhanded action of Wellesley was severely criticized.
Tanjore, Surat and the Karnatak
Wellesley assumed the administration of Tanjore, Surat and
the Karnatak by concluding treaties with the respective rulers of
these states. The Maratha state of Tanjore witnessed a succession
dispute. In 1799, Wellesley concluded a treaty with Serfoji. In
accordance with this treaty the British took over the administration
of the state and allowed Serfoji to retain the title of Raja with a
pension of 4 lakhs of rupees.
Raja Sarbhoji was a man of culture and attractive manners.
He was the disciple of Schwarts. He built the Saraswathi Mahal
Library in Tanjore which contains valuable books and manuscripts.
He patronized art and culture.
The principality of Surat came under British protection as early
as 1759. The Nawab of this historic city died in 1799 and his brother
succeeded him. The change of succession provided Wellesley an
opportunity to take over the administration of Surat.  The Nawab
was allowed to retain the title and given a pension of one lakh of
rupees.
The people of Karnatak had been suffering for a long time by
the double government. The Nawab, Umadat-ul-Umara was an
incompetent ruler noted for his extravagance and misrule. He died in
the middle of 1801 and his son, Ali Hussain became the Nawab.
Wellesley asked him to retire with a liberal pension leaving the
administration to the English. Since he refused, Wellesley signed a
treaty with Azim-ud daulah, the nephew of the deceased Nawab in
1801. Accordingly the entire military and civil administration of the
Karnatak came under the British.
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
The circumstances which led to the Fourth Mysore War can
be summarized as follows: Tipu Sultan wanted to avenge his
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humiliating defeat and the terms imposed on him by the British. He
also aimed at making Mysore a strong state. Tipu worked continuously
to secure help to fight British imperialism. He took efforts to seek
the help of the France, Arabia, Kabul and Turkey. He corresponded
with the Revolutionary French Government in July 1798. At
Srirangapattinam, a Jacobian Club was started and the flag of the
French Republic was hoisted. The tree of Liberty was also planted.
Later, when Napoleon came to power, Tipu received a friendly letter
from Napoleon (who was in Egypt at that time).
 It was at this juncture that Wellesley reached Calcutta with a
mind already filled with fear of Napoleon. Therefore, he prepared for a
war against Mysore. As a part of his strategy, Wellesley tried to revive
the Triple Alliance of 1790 with the Marathas. Though his proposal was
not accepted by the Marathas, they promised to remain neutral. However,
a Subsidiary Alliance with the Nizam was concluded by the British and
as a consequence, the French force at Hyderabad was disbanded.
Wellesley set out to persuade Tipu to accept a pact of subsidiary
alliance and wrote letters requesting the Tipu to dismiss the French,
to receive an English envoy, and to make terms with the Company
and its allies.  Tipu paid scant attention to Wellesley’s letters and
thus the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war started.
The war was short and decisive. As planned, the Bombay army
under General Stuart invaded Mysore from the west. The Madras
army, which was led by the Governor-General’s brother, Arthur
Wellesley, forced Tipu to retreat to his capital Srirangapattinam.
Although severely wounded, he fought till his capital Srirangapattinam
was captured and he himself was shot dead.
Mysore After the War
With the fall of Tipu Sultan the kingdom of Mysore fell at the
feet of Wellesley. He restored Hindu rule at the central part of the
kingdom. A five year old boy, Krishnaraja III, a descendant of the
dethroned Hindu Raja, was enthroned at Mysore, which became the
capital almost after two hundred years. Purnaiya, the previous
minister, became Diwan. The remaining parts of the kingdom were
divided between the British and the Nizam.  The whole of Kanara,
Wynad, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri and Srirangapattinam were retained
by the British whereas the Nizam was given the areas around Gooty
and a part of Chittoor and Chitaldurg districts.  A British Resident
was  stationed at Mysore. Tipu’s family was sent to the fort of Vellore.
Wellesley and the Marathas
The only power that remained outside the purview of the
subsidiary system was the Marathas. Nana Fadnavis provided the
leadership to the Marathas. He was responsible for the preservation
of independence of his country from the onslaught of the British. By
extending a helping hand to Cornwallis against Tipu he was able to
acquire a large slice of territory as the share of the Marathas from
the kingdom of Mysore. His death in 1800 removed the last great
Maratha leader.
Peshwa Baji Rao II, despite his stately appearance and
immense learning, lacked political wisdom. The infighting among the
Maratha leaders proved to be self-destructive. Jaswant Rao Holkar
and Daulat Rao Scindia were fighting against each other. The Peshwa
supported Scindia against Holkar. Holkar marched against the
Peshwa. The combined forces of Scindia and the Peshwa were utterly
defeated. The city of Poona fell at the feet of the victor who did not
hesitate to commit all sorts of atrocities, including the torturing of
rich inhabitants. With rich booty Holkar returned to his capital.
Peshwa Baji Rao II was in great danger, so he fled to Bassein
where he signed the Treaty of Bassein with the British in 1802. It
was a subsidiary treaty and the Peshwa was recognized as the head
of the Maratha kingdom. Although it was nominal, the treaty was
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considered the crowning triumph of Wellesley’s Subsidiary System.
In accordance with this document, the foreign policy of the Marathas
came under British control and therefore any action of the Maratha
chiefs against the British was successfully prevented. That is the
reason why the Marathas considered the treaty as a document of
surrendering their independence.
As an immediate response to the Treaty of Bassein, the
British troops marched under the command of Arthur Wellesley
towards Poona and restored the Peshwa to his position. The forces
of Holkar vanished from the Maratha capital.
The Second Maratha War (1803-1805)
Daulat Rao Scindia and Raghoji Bhonsle took the Treaty of
Bassein as an insult to the national honour of the Marathas. Soon the
forces of both the chieftains were united and they crossed the river
Narmada. Wellesley seized this opportunity and declared war in
August 1803.
Arthur Wellesley captured Ahmadnagar in August 1803 and
defeated the combined forces of Scindia and Bhonsle at Assaye near
Aurangabad.
Subsequently, Arthur Wellesley carried the war into Bhonsle’s
territory and completely defeated the Maratha forces on the plains
of Argaon. As a result, the Treaty of Deogaon was signed between
Bhonsle and Wellesley. The former signed the subsidiary treaty which
forced him to give up the province of Cuttack in Orissa.
The campaign of British commander Lord Lake against the
forces of Scindia was rather dramatic. Lake triumphantly entered
the historic city of Delhi and took Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor
under British protection. Lake was quick in consolidating his
conquests. By negotiating with the Raja of Bharatpur, he occupied
Agra. Sadly this military engagement proved to be a battle of great
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