UPSC CSE Prelims
Expansion and Consolidation of British Rule Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Expansion and Consolidation of British Rule
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Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — To secure a fixed income for the Company
The Subsidiary Alliance was a military-political system introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) to expand British control over Indian princely states through strategic alliances rather than direct land revenue administration. Securing a fixed income for the Company was the primary objective of land revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement (1793) introduced by Lord Cornwallis, not the Subsidiary Alliance.
✅ Option 1 – Applies: Indian rulers had to maintain a British force in their territory and pay subsidies for it, enabling the Company to maintain a large standing army at the expense of Indian states.
❌ Option 2 – Does Not Apply: The Subsidiary Alliance focused on military and diplomatic control, not on securing fixed land revenue income for the Company.
✅ Option 3 – Applies: The system required Indian rulers to expel all French officials and troops from their territories, protecting India from Napoleonic French influence during the European wars.
✅ Option 4 – Applies: By controlling external relations, defense, and stationing British Residents at royal courts, the Company established British paramountcy over Indian states.
📝 Short Notes: Subsidiary Alliance System
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduced By | Lord Wellesley (Governor-General, 1798–1805) |
| Primary Objective | Expand British control through indirect military and diplomatic means |
| Key Features | • Indian ruler had to maintain British troops and pay subsidy • British Resident stationed at the court • Ruler could not employ non-British Europeans • Ruler could not engage in foreign relations without British approval • British provided protection from external threats |
| First State to Accept | Hyderabad (1798) |
| Major States Under Alliance | Hyderabad, Mysore (after 1799), Awadh, Peshwa, Bhonsle, Sindhia, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Macheri, Berar |
| States that Resisted | Travancore initially resisted but later accepted |
| Difference from Permanent Settlement | Subsidiary Alliance: military-diplomatic control Permanent Settlement: land revenue system for fixed income |
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