User talk:Anandu

The Subsidary Alliance in India

In 1798, Lord Wellesly became the governor general of Bengal. One of his master strokes were the subsidary alliance system. its mailn purpose was to secure resources for the east india company and oust other foreugners from Indian states so as to make the British the sole arbitrator in the affairs of the Indian states and thus enable the company to gain supremacy over the whole of India. Its main features were:

1) British granted protection to a ruler accepting the alliance against attack by any foreign power. British troops were to be stationed in the state.

2) The ruler had to expel all foreigners other than British nationals and recognize the east india co. as the supreme power.

3) A ruler had to give part of his territory in lieu of the annual subsidy.

4) A ruler was not allowed to enter into negotiation with any other ruler without British approval.

5) The British could dispose a ruler if they were dissatisfief with the administration.

Even though it was later scrapped off, the Subsidary Alliance system proved to be one of the company's best schemes to topple the Indian rulers off their thrones.