Subsidiary Alliance is introduced by?
VerifiedAnswer: Lord Wellesley
Explanation:
The Subsidiary Alliance system was a brilliant diplomatic and military strategy introduced by Lord Wellesley, who served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1798 to 1805. This policy became one of the most effective tools used by the British East India Company to establish control over Indian princely states without direct conquest.
Under this system, Indian rulers who accepted the alliance had to agree to several conditions. They were required to maintain British troops in their territory and pay for their maintenance. The rulers also had to accept a British Resident at their court, who would oversee the state's affairs and ensure compliance with British interests. Most importantly, these allied states could not wage war or negotiate with other powers without British permission.
The first major success of this policy was with the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1798, followed by other important rulers like the Nawab of Oudh, the Raja of Mysore (after Tipu Sultan's defeat), and various Maratha chiefs. This system allowed the British to control these states indirectly while the local rulers remained as figureheads, maintaining the appearance of independence.
The genius of Wellesley's policy lay in its practical benefits for the British Empire. It provided them with a steady income from the allied states, extended their military influence across India, and created a buffer against potential enemies. For the Indian rulers, while they lost significant autonomy, they gained protection from external threats and could focus on internal administration without worrying about defense.
