Name: The Doctrine of Lapse and Annexation of Awadh
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 21 s
Description: How did Lord Dalhousie and the Doctrine of Lapse lay the foundation for empire-building in India? You’ll be fascinated to learn the reasons!

Question

What was the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance?

Accepted Answer

Lord Wellesley became the Governor-General of India in the year $1798$ AD. He made a plan to capture territories of Indian kings. This policy became known as the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance.

According to this treaty the British asked the Indian rulers to come under their protection and sign a pact with them. In return, the British would protect them from internal conflicts and attacks from rival rulers.

The rulers who accepted the pact had to submit to the supremacy of the British. Incase, the ruler could not pay he had to cede a part of his territory to the British. They were not allowed to engage in alliance with other rulers or declare war against another ruler without British permission.

A British officer, 'Resident' had to be stationed at the ruler's court. Under this policy, the British were able to capture the kingdoms of Tanjore, Surat, Karnataka, Hyderabad and Mysore.

What was the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance?

Important Questions on Expansion of the British Power in India

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