- The subsidiary alliance system, implemented by Lord Wellesley during his tenure as governor-general from 1798 to 1805, was a key strategy in the British Empire’s expansion in India. This system required the ruler of an Indian state to accept the permanent presence of a British military force within their territory and pay a subsidy for its maintenance. Additionally, a British resident was stationed at the ruler’s court, and the ruler was prohibited from employing any Europeans without consulting the East India Company. The ruler also had to seek the governor-general’s approval before engaging in wars or negotiations with other Indian rulers. In return, the British promised to defend the ruler against external threats and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the allied state.
- One of the motivations behind Lord Wellesley’s reinforcement of the subsidiary alliance system was to prevent the revival and expansion of French influence in India. The British were particularly concerned about Napoleon’s expedition towards the East and the potential threat posed by the French attacking the western coast of India from Mauritius. To address this, the alliance treaty included a clause requiring Indian rulers to dismiss Europeans (other than the British) from their service. This measure allowed the British to station their forces strategically and counter the French influence. Moreover, the subsidiary alliance system facilitated the gradual expansion of British control over Indian states, bringing more territories under the Company’s authority.
- However, the Indian rulers who entered into these alliances experienced significant drawbacks. They lost their independence as they bought security from the British. The presence of the British Resident limited their autonomy and interfered in their governance. The rulers had to allocate a significant portion of their revenue to pay for the British troops, leading to financial strain. The alliance also made the Indian rulers weak and unaccountable, enabling them to exploit their subjects without repercussions, as they were protected by the British.
Evolution and Perfection
- The concept of hiring European troops to assist Indian rulers in their wars can be traced back to Dupleix, who may have been the first to implement such a practice. From that point onward, nearly all governors-general, starting with Clive, employed this system with various Indian states and gradually refined it to near perfection.
- The initial instance of an Indian state falling into this protective arrangement, which foreshadowed the subsidiary alliance system, occurred with Awadh in 1765. The treaty signed between Awadh and the East India Company stipulated that the Company would defend Awadh’s frontiers on the condition that the Nawab covered the expenses associated with such defense. In 1787, the Company introduced a new element to the subsidiary state arrangement by insisting that the subsidiary state should not engage in foreign relations. This provision was included in the treaty signed with the Nawab of Carnatic in February 1787.
- Lord Wellesley played a significant role in the evolution of this system. His genius lay in establishing a general rule during negotiations: the surrender of territory in full sovereignty in exchange for the maintenance of the subsidiary force. This approach represented a significant development in the implementation of the subsidiary alliance system.
- Over time, the subsidiary alliance system evolved and was refined through the efforts of successive governors-general, gradually solidifying its structure and ensuring its effectiveness in establishing British control over Indian states.
Stages of Application of Subsidiary Alliance
- The application of the subsidiary alliance system can be categorized into four stages:
- Military Assistance: In the first stage, the East India Company offered to assist a friendly Indian state by providing troops to fight in any wars the state may be engaged in. The Company would align itself with the state and jointly engage in military campaigns.
- Joint Military Operations: In the second stage, the Company would form a common cause with the friendly Indian state and mobilize both its soldiers and those of the state. They would undertake joint military operations under combined leadership.
- Financial Support: The third stage involved a shift from providing troops to requesting financial assistance from the Indian ally. The Company would ask the state to contribute a specific sum of money. In return, the Company promised to recruit, train, and maintain a fixed number of soldiers under British officers. These troops would be available to the ruler for personal protection and defense against aggressors.
- Territorial Acquisition: The fourth and final stage marked a significant shift. The financial support required from the Indian state would be set at a high level. If the state failed to pay the designated amount promptly, it would be compelled to cede certain parts of its territories to the Company as compensation. This marked the Company’s entry into the affairs of the state, and the British resident, who was stationed in the state capital as per the treaty, would play a pivotal role in initiating, sustaining, and expediting the process of eventual annexation by the Company.
- Overall, the four stages of the subsidiary alliance system involved a gradual progression from military assistance to joint operations, financial support, and, eventually, territorial acquisition. This process allowed the East India Company to exert increasing influence and control over Indian states, ultimately leading to their eventual annexation.
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- According to Sidney J. Owen, Wellesley’s tenure as governor-general marked a significant transformation in the British Empire in India. Under Wellesley’s leadership, the East India Company transitioned from being one of the political powers in India to becoming the supreme power and sole protectorate of the entire country. This shift solidified the Company’s control and authority over India.
- One of the key aspects of this transformation was the Company’s assumption of the responsibility for defending India. Wellesley emphasized the importance of safeguarding British interests and securing the Company’s dominion in the region. This reflected a shift in focus from merely establishing trade and influence to actively asserting political and military control over Indian territories.
- In summary, Wellesley’s policies and actions led to the consolidation of the British Empire in India, elevating the East India Company to a position of supreme power and sole protectorate. The Company’s responsibility for the defense of India became a defining feature of its governance in the region.
States that Accepted the Alliance
- Several Indian princes accepted the subsidiary alliance system during the period of British rule. Here are some of the prominent states and rulers who entered into alliances with the East India Company:
- Nizam of Hyderabad: The Nizam of Hyderabad accepted the subsidiary alliance in September 1798 and again in 1800.
- Ruler of Mysore: The ruler of Mysore entered into the subsidiary alliance in 1799.
- Ruler of Tanjore: The ruler of Tanjore accepted the subsidiary alliance in October 1799.
- Nawab of Awadh: The Nawab of Awadh allied with the East India Company in November 1801.
- Peshwa: The Peshwa, the ruler of the Maratha Confederacy, agreed to the subsidiary alliance in December 1801.
- Bhonsle Raja of Berar: The Bhonsle Raja of Berar, another Maratha ruler, accepted the subsidiary alliance in December 1803.
- Sindhia: The Sindhia, another influential Maratha ruler, entered into the subsidiary alliance in February 1804.
- Rajput States: Several Rajput states, including Jodhpur, Jaipur, Macheri, Bundi, and the ruler of Bharatpur, formed alliances with the East India Company in 1818.
- Holkars: The Holkars, the last remaining Maratha confederation, accepted the subsidiary alliance in 1818.
- These alliances with various Indian princes allowed the East India Company to expand its influence and control over significant regions of India during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Views
- According to Walter Reid, a 1950 Colonial Office paper acknowledged that Britain’s imperial expansion was driven by its status as a seafaring and trading nation, which had a long history of acquiring islands and peninsulas. Sir John Seeley, a historian, also pointed out in 1883 that Britain’s imperial expansion seemed to have happened almost inadvertently, without a coherent policy behind it. Instead, various disjointed policies were guiding the expansion. The primary motives behind the Empire were selfishness, driven by desires for wealth, strategic possessions to protect that wealth, and the accompanying prestige. However, this pursuit of wealth and power came at the cost of the lives of countless native populations, who were often treated as inferior by the ruling caste.
- In Shashi Tharoor’s perspective, during the hundred years following the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company, supported by the British government and Parliament (many of whom were shareholders), exerted control over most of India. Through military conquest, the Company absorbed previously independent states, established executive authority through Governors-General appointed from London, regulated trade, collected taxes, and exerted control over various aspects of Indian life. Tharoor argues that this period represented an era of darkness for India, with the Company’s rule leading to exploitation, economic devastation, cultural imperialism, and the suppression of Indian aspirations.
- These perspectives shed light on different aspects of British imperialism in India, highlighting the motivations, consequences, and perceptions of the imperial project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Subsidiary Alliance?
A: A Subsidiary Alliance is a diplomatic and military strategy employed by a stronger state to control a weaker state without annexing it. This concept was notably implemented by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India, during the early 19th century. In a Subsidiary Alliance, the weaker state agrees to maintain a British subsidiary force within its borders, effectively making it dependent on the stronger state for defense. Additionally, the weaker state often cedes control over its foreign affairs to the stronger state.
Q: What were the key features of the Subsidiary Alliance?
A: The key features of a Subsidiary Alliance include:
- Stationing of Troops: The stronger state deploys its military forces within the borders of the weaker state, ostensibly for mutual defense.
- Ban on Diplomatic Relations: The weaker state surrenders its authority to conduct independent foreign relations, allowing the stronger state to control its interactions with other nations.
- Financial Dependence: The weaker state bears the cost of maintaining the subsidiary force, putting an economic burden on its resources.
- Political Influence: The stronger state often interferes in the internal affairs of the weaker state, influencing its governance and policies.
Q: Which historical events are associated with the implementation of Subsidiary Alliances?
A: Subsidiary Alliances were notably implemented by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India, during the early 19th century. Some significant events include:
- Treaty of Bassein (1802): This treaty was signed between the British East India Company and the Maratha ruler Baji Rao II. It marked the beginning of the Subsidiary Alliance system in India.
- Subsidiary Alliances with Hyderabad and Mysore: Lord Wellesley extended the system to other regions, entering into alliances with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the rulers of Mysore, further consolidating British control in India.
- Expansion of British Influence: The implementation of Subsidiary Alliances contributed to the expansion of British influence in the Indian subcontinent, as it allowed the British to control the military and political affairs of several princely states without directly annexing them.
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