Subsidiary Alliance, Features, Accepted States, Impacts

Lord Wellesley, Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805, primarily implemented the Subsidiary Alliance as a strategic policy to establish British dominance over the Indian subcontinent. This policy was critical in the British East India Company's expansionist strategies, transforming India's political landscape. 

By forcing Indian princely states to accept British military protection and submit to British control, the alliance allowed the British to exercise indirect rule over much of India. The Subsidiary Alliance was a significant step towards consolidating British power, paving the way for the establishment of the British Raj. 

Subsidiary Alliance Background

The concept of subsidiary alliances can be traced back to earlier arrangements made by other colonial powers, notably the French East India Company. The concept of European troops being hired out to Indian rulers for military support likely originated with Dupleix. This practice was subsequently adopted by almost all governor-generals, beginning with Robert Clive, and was gradually perfected. 

• The first Indian state to fall into this system, which foreshadowed the Subsidiary Alliance, was Awadh in 1765 when a treaty was signed requiring the East India Company to defend Awadh’s frontiers in exchange for the Nawab covering the costs. 
• In 1787, the East India Company began demanding that subsidiary states relinquish foreign relations, starting with a treaty signed by Lord Cornwallis(1786–1793) and the Nawab of Carnatic in February. 
• Lord Wellesley’s strategic brilliance turned the practice into a general policy, requiring the cession of territory in full sovereignty to maintain the subsidiary force.

Subsidiary Alliance Features

The British imposed significant control over Indian states through troop stationing, requiring rulers to maintain British soldiers and pay a regular subsidy. In return, the British promised protection but limited the state's ability to form alliances or make foreign policy decisions without consent.

• Military Support: Indian rulers were required to accept British troops stationed in their territory for protection against external threats.
• Non-Interference in Internal Affairs: While the British provided military protection, they would not interfere in the internal governance of the princely states, provided the rulers accepted the terms.
• Payment of Subsidy: The local rulers had to pay a financial subsidy to maintain the British troops. If they couldn't afford it, they had to cede some territory.
• Prohibition of Alliances: The states under the Subsidiary Alliance were prohibited from forming alliances with other powers, ensuring British dominance in regional politics.
• Control Over Foreign Relations: The British assumed control over the foreign relations of the allied state, limiting the ruler's ability to engage with other nations.
• Establishment of Resident Representatives: A British resident was stationed at the court of the allied state to oversee and influence local governance and policies.
• Gradual Annexation: Over time, the policy led to the annexation of various states, as failure to comply with the alliance terms often resulted in loss of territory or sovereignty.

This strategy was instrumental in expanding British control in India and reducing the autonomy of local rulers. 

Subsidiary Alliance Stages 

The Subsidiary Alliance evolved through four key stages, progressively tightening British control over Indian states through military support, financial demands, and territorial concessions.

• First Stage: The Company provided military assistance to a friendly Indian state, sending troops to fight any ongoing or future wars.
• Second Stage: The Company allied with the Indian state, joining forces with its own and the state's troops to fight common enemies.
• Third Stage: Instead of providing soldiers, the Indian ally was asked to pay money; in exchange, the Company recruited, trained, and maintained a fixed number of soldiers under British officers, ensuring the contingent was available to protect and defend the ruler against aggressors.
• Fourth Stage: The protection fee was set at a high level; if the state failed to pay on time, it was forced to cede certain territories to the Company in exchange for payment, resulting in the loss of sovereignty.

Subsidiary Alliance Accepted States

The Subsidiary Alliance was accepted by various Indian rulers, leading to British dominance and the gradual loss of sovereignty across India. Major states under subsidiary alliance include Hyderabad, Mysore, Awadh, Tanjore, Bharatpur and others.

• Nizam of Hyderabad (1798): First to accept the Subsidiary Alliance, in September 1798 and again in 1800, securing British military support. 
• Ruler of Mysore (1799): Accepted the alliance in 1799 after the defeat of Tipu Sultan, placing Mysore under British protection.
• Ruler of Tanjore (1799): Entered the alliance in October 1799, leading to increased British influence in Southern India.
• Nawab of Awadh (1801): Accepted in November 1801, which marked the beginning of Awadh's gradual decline under British control.
• Peshwa (1801): Signed the alliance in December 1801, significantly weakening Maratha's power and sovereignty.
• Bhonsle Raja of Berar (1803): Agreed to the terms in December 1803, furthering British dominance in Central India.
• Sindhia (1804): Accepted in February 1804, consolidating British influence in the Maratha Empire.
• Rajput States (Jodhpur, Jaipur, Macheri, Bundi): Accepted in 1818, bringing much of Rajasthan under British control.
• Ruler of Bharatpur: Also accepted in 1818, ending significant resistance in the region.
• Holkars (1818): The last Maratha confederation to accept the alliance in 1818, marking the end of Maratha's independence and solidifying British supremacy in India.

Subsidiary Alliance Impacts

The Subsidiary Alliance had profound impacts on Indian states, eroding their sovereignty and increasing British dominance. It not only weakened their political and military autonomy but also led to economic burdens, political instability, and eventual territorial annexation, consolidating British control over India.

• Sovereignty Erosion: The system significantly reduced Indian states' political and military autonomy, making them more reliant on British support.
• British Influence Expansion: By embedding British military presence and influence in allied states, it facilitated the extension of British control over vast areas of India.
• Economic Burden: The financial burden of maintaining British troops and paying subsidies drove many Indian states into economic hardship and dependency.
• Political Instability: The need to obtain British approval for alliances and military actions limited Indian states' ability to act independently, resulting in political instability.
• Annexation of Territories: Failure to pay the required subsidies frequently resulted in the cession of territories to the British, which contributed to India's gradual annexation.
• Consolidation of British Rule: The Subsidiary Alliance was instrumental in consolidating British rule in India by gradually weakening and integrating various regional powers.

Subsidiary Alliance UPSC PYQs

Question 1: Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley? (UPSC Prelims 2018)

(a) To maintain a large standing army at others' expense 

(b) To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger

(c) To secure a fixed income for the Company

(d) To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States

Answer: (c) 

Subsidiary Alliance FAQs 

Q1. What is the Subsidiary Alliance?

Ans. The Subsidiary Alliance was a treaty system where Indian rulers accepted British forces and paid for their upkeep in exchange for protection against external threats and internal rebellions.

Q2. When was the Subsidiary Alliance introduced?

Ans. The Subsidiary Alliance was initially introduced by French Governor Dupiex and formally established in 1798 by Lord Wellesley.

Q3. Which Indian states accepted the Subsidiary Alliance?

Ans. Several Indian states accepted the Subsidiary Alliance, including Hyderabad (1798), Mysore (1799), Awadh (1801), and the Maratha states (1802).

Q4. What were the key provisions of the Subsidiary Alliance?

Ans. Stationing of British troops, payment of subsidy, no foreign alliances, and non-interference by the British.

Q5. What were the criticisms of the Subsidiary Alliance?

Ans. It undermined sovereignty and was seen as a tool of British imperialism.