Question

Explain in detail the various policies adopted by the British in order to gain control over Indian states.

Accepted Answer

The British adopted various policies to gain control over Indian states during their colonial rule. These can be described as follows:

Doctrine of Lapse ( $1829$ ): Introduced by Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, this policy stated that if an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, his state would be annexed by the British East India Company.

Subsidiary Alliance System (late $18$ th to early $19$ th century): Introduced by Lord Wellesley, this system involved Indian rulers entering into treaties with the British, where they agreed to maintain a British subsidiary force in their territory.

Paramountcy (mid-19th century): The British asserted the doctrine of paramountcy, claiming supreme authority over all Indian states.

Zamindari and Ryotwari Systems (Land Revenue Policies): The British introduced different land revenue systems, such as the Zamindari system in Northern India and the Ryotwari system in Southern India.

Indian Civil Service (ICS): The British recruited personnel for administrative roles in India through the Indian Civil Service. The British introduced an educational system that primarily served the purpose of creating a class of Indians who could assist in administrative and clerical roles.

Divide and Rule: The British often exploited existing religious, cultural, and regional differences among Indians to prevent the emergence of a united anti-colonial front.

Explain in detail the various policies adopted by the British in order to gain control over Indian states.

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