British Policies in India

British Policies

Subsidiary Alliance

• Definition: A political strategy adopted by the British East India Company to extend its control over Indian states without direct annexation.
• Purpose: To ensure the loyalty of Indian rulers and secure access to military and economic resources.
• Key Features:
  • Indian rulers were required to accept British military protection.
  • They had to maintain a British commander-in-chief within their territory.
  • They were not allowed to form alliances with other powers.
  • They had to pay for the maintenance of British troops.
• Impact:
  • Weakened the sovereignty of Indian states.
  • Enabled the British to expand their influence gradually.
• Examples:
  • Nawab of Awadh (1801): Joined the subsidiary alliance.
  • Nizam of Hyderabad (1798): Became a protectorate under the British.
• Key Date: 1798 – Subsidiary Alliance system formalized by Lord Wellesley.
• Exam Fact: Subsidiary Alliance is a frequently asked topic in SSC and RRB exams, often linked with the tenure of Lord Wellesley.

Ring of Fence

• Definition: A policy of encircling Indian states with British-controlled territories to isolate and contain them.
• Objective: To prevent the rise of a powerful Indian state that could challenge British supremacy.
• Implementation:
  • British established control over key regions around the Indian subcontinent.
  • This included the annexation of territories like Punjab, Awadh, and parts of the Deccan.
  • The British used military force and political manipulation to achieve this.
• Effect:
  • Created a buffer zone around British-controlled areas.
  • Reduced the ability of Indian states to form alliances or resist British expansion.
• Key Date: 1848 – The annexation of Punjab marked a significant step after second Anglo-Sikh war.
• Exam Fact: The Ring of Fence is often associated with the British strategy to consolidate power and is a common topic in competitive exams.

Doctrine of Lapse

• Definition: A policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie to annex Indian states that lacked a male heir.
• Purpose: To expand British territorial control and eliminate potential rivals.
• Key Provisions:
  • If a ruler died without a male heir, the state would be annexed by the British.
  • The doctrine applied to both Hindu and Muslim states.
  • It was used to justify the annexation of various princely states.
• Examples:
  • Satara (1848): Annexed due to the death of the ruler without a male heir.
  • Jhansi (1854): Annexed after Rani Lakshmibai’s death.
  • Tanjore (1855): Annexed under the doctrine.
• Impact:
  • Caused widespread resentment among Indian rulers and subjects.
  • Contributed to the growing discontent that led to the First Anglo-Afghan War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• Key Date: 1848 – Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
• Exam Fact: The Doctrine of Lapse is a crucial topic for SSC and RRB exams, often linked with the Revolt of 1857 and the tenure of Lord Dalhousie.

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