Subsidiary Alliance

Introduction

The British government took a policy of expansion to consolidate the administration. They focused on capturing as many as powerful as possible under their control. In 1798, Lord Wellesley was appointed as the governor. He wanted to focus on his political goals using Subsidiary alliances. Under this system, the rulers were compelled to accept the permanent dominance of the British force.

The policy of the Subsidiary Alliance is written below:

The Subsidiary Alliance in India was a “Non-Intervention Policy” planned by Lord Wellesley, but French Governor Dupleix introduced this term. The main aim was to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and operation of war. Under this system, the Indian rulers had to install the company’s troops. Also, they had to pay all the expenses to operate the troops. The rulers need to maintain British residents at their courts. 

The impact of the alliance was huge in understanding Indian provincial rules. It weakened the political system of India and affected their economy as well. The British government forced the Indian rulers to sign the treaty and began interfering in the political system.

• The Indian states were compelled to come to terms with British domination. They had to pay all the expenses of the troops.
• The rulers under the Subsidiary Alliance could not employ any British service. In that case, the governor would sign an agreement before allowing them the conditions.
• Any Indian rules under this term cannot negotiate with other rulers. If they want any additional support from the rulers, they have to seek permission from the governor-general.
• If any ruler fails to meet the army’s expenses, the company will also seize the administrative power.
• The payment of the expenses was arbitrary. Hence, the company can increase the subsidy whenever they want.

Awadh was the first kingdom to accept this policy. Later on, other rulers started to join the alliance. Indian rulers who signed the alliance:

• Awadh 
• Hyderabad (1798)
• Mysore (17990
• Tanjore (1799)
• Awadh (1801)
• Peshwa (1802)
• Scindia (1803)
• Gaekwad (1803)
• The Rajput states (1818).
• The Holkars 1818.

Results of Subsidiary alliance:

The Indian ruler signed the treaty of domination. The East India Company trickly installed their forces and started to keep a watch on the military force. The Indian rulers started to lose their independence became dependent on the company’s rule. The results of this alliance were detrimental to the Indian political system. It was the first step to interfere in the administrative system. The rulers faced various challenges to meet the high expenses of the British army.

The Indian rulers lost their sovereignty, and the British government became involved in political matters. It led to a great political loss for the Indian rulers.

The cost of maintaining the British forces was very expensive. It was nearly impossible for the rulers to meet their expenses. In addition, this system also drains the economic backbone of the provincial government.

Before the advent of the Subsidiary Alliance, Indian forces had a steady income. Lakhs of soldiers were deprived of their livelihood. It led to greater political tension for the soldiers.

On the other hand, the rulers of the protected states started to lose their interest in good administration. As they lost the scope of incentives, they became oppressive towards the common people.

Key points of the Subsidiary Alliance

1. Firstly, supporting states of the Indian state’s rulers were forced to accept the rules of the British Army within their territories. Also, they had to pay subsidies for its maintenance.
2. The Indian rulers required prior approval of the British to employ any European.
3. The Indian rulers also needed to consult the Governor-General before negotiating with any other Indian ruler. 

Conclusion

Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance to capture the sovereignty of the princely states. The British government wanted to put forward an expansion policy to consolidate the administration. This policy principle helps the British government run a large army group at the expense of Indian rulers. By accepting the rules, the Indian rulers lost their sovereignty and headed towards the poor economic condition. Hence, it led to the overall disintegration of the Indian administrative and police situation.