Question map
During the colonial period, the first subsidiary alliance was concluded with
Explanation
The Subsidiary Alliance system was a strategic tool used by Lord Wellesley (Governor-General from 1798–1805) to expand British influence by making Indian states dependent on British military protection [c4, t3]. The first Indian ruler to formally conclude a Subsidiary Alliance under Wellesley's framework was the Nizam of Hyderabad in September 1798 [c1, c2]. Under this treaty, the Nizam dismissed his French-trained troops and maintained a British subsidiary force to guard against Maratha encroachments [c2, t7]. Following Hyderabad, the system was imposed on Mysore in 1799 after the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, Tanjore in 1799, the Nawab of Awadh in 1801, and the Peshwa in 1802 through the Treaty of Bassein [c1, t2, t6]. While earlier 'ring fence' arrangements existed with Awadh, the formal 'Subsidiary Alliance' system as defined in colonial administrative history began with Hyderabad in 1798 [c3, t4].
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > States which Accepted Alliance > p. 122
- [2] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 4: The British Conquest of India > Expansion under Lord Wellesley (1798-1805) > p. 78
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > Subsidiary Alliance > p. 120
- [4] https://www.msuniv.ac.in/images/distance%20education/learning%20materials/ug%20pg%202023/ug%202021/JMHY31IIISemHistoryofIndia1707_1857CE.pdf