Question

Explain the system of subsidiary alliance.

Answer 1

Subsidiary Alliance system was means used by the Company to extend its control over the Indian states. Main features of this system were:

• The Indian states entering into subsidiary alliance were protected by the Company’s forces but had to pay for the maintenance of the British troops.
• The Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces.
• If the Indian rulers failed to make payments to the British, part of their kingdom was taken away as penalty.
• Hyderabad, Mysore, Awadh and Tanjore were some of the states that entered into the subsidiary alliance system with the British.