Subsidiary Alliance System was initiated by

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

The Subsidiary Alliance System was a pivotal policy used by the British East India Company to establish its control and political ascendancy over Indian princely states without annexing them outright. It was primarily initiated and implemented by **Lord Wellesley**, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805. The system involved Indian rulers accepting a permanent British force within their territory and paying a subsidy for its maintenance. In return, the British promised protection from external attacks and internal revolts. Crucially, the ruler had to dismiss his own army and accept a British Resident at his court, thereby effectively surrendering his sovereignty and foreign policy to the Company. This policy was instrumental in expanding British influence across the subcontinent, with the Nizam of Hyderabad being the first to enter into such an alliance in 1798.

The incorrect option is 2: Lord Hastings served as Governor-General much later (1813–1823) and, while he consolidated the policy, he did not initiate it. He is better known for campaigns against the Marathas and the Pindaris.

The incorrect option is 3: Lord Bentinck (Governor-General from 1828–1835) is remembered for his social and administrative reforms, such as the abolition of Sati, and not for initiating the Subsidiary Alliance.

The incorrect option is 4: Lord Auckland (Governor-General from 1836–1842) is primarily associated with the disastrous First Anglo-Afghan War and did not play a founding role in the Subsidiary Alliance System.