Treaty of Allahabad
- Treaty of Allahabad and Bengal:
- EIC got Diwani from Orissa, Bengal, and Bihar.
- That is reveune adminstarion and reveunes of Bengal Suba.
- Therefore for 1st time, EIC took over a sovereign function.
- Therefore EIC got an additional source of income in form of revenues from the richest province of India.
- The dual government (1765-72) of Bengal:
- Legally Diwani (revenue administration) was given to EIC and Nizamat (non-revenue administration) with the Nawab of Bengal.
- The policy of indirect rule was initiated in Bengal as Nawab of Bengal became a puppet of EIC as a British resident now stationed in court.
- The British resident in 1772 became the actual centre of power.
- EIC also got the right to appoint deputy Subadar, who headed Nizamat on behalf of Nawab.
- Therefore through him EIC indirectly controlled Nizamat.
- Therefore in practice, EIC got full control of Bengal, that is Diwani as well as Nizamat.
- Legally dual government from 1765-72, practically EIC can rule legally in Diwani and indirectly in Nizamat but did not as EIC appointed Deputy Subadar Mohammad Reza Khan, who headed or ruled Nizamat on behalf of the nawab, also as Diwan of EIC.
- Therefore Indian administration under the Indian deputy subadar continued till 1772.
- The dual government was ended due to worsening law and order and warren hastings wanted to improve administration, therefore EIC established direct rule of its own in both Diwani and Nizamant in 1772.
- Treaty of Allahabad and Awadh:
- Shuja was made to pay 5 million rupees.
- Shuja was now a puppet and a British resident could now be stationed in Awadh court.
- The policy of a Ring fence was initiated by Clive but was associated mainly with Warren Hasting.
- The policy of a Ring fence meant creating a buffer around the core interest regions of EIC by signing a military alliance with neighbours.
- A military alliance was signed between Awadh and EIC.
- Therefore now EIC could use Awadh military resources for the protection of EIC's interests in Bengal.
- Awadh came under the military control of EIC as an EIC army stationed in Awadh permanently as it was to be paid for by Awadh in form of an annual subsidy.
- Duty-free trade in Awadh.
- Therefore Treaty of Allahabad with Awadh was a mini-subsidiary alliance.
Subsidiary Alliance/Subordinate Alliance
- It was a policy initiated by Wellesley.
- There was a ban on imperial expansion by the Pitts India act because of huge war expenditure by EIC.
- Therefore British wanted to consolidate gains made from these wars and prevent war expenditure.
- Therefore now EIC was to follow the policy of indirect rule and maintain the balance of power among Indian states.
- Wellesley was an empire builder and had huge personal political ambitions in British polity.
- He gave the policy of indirect rule & balance of power and reinitiated the policy of expansion.
- He convinced the British government by overplaying the fear of Napoleon attacking India after aligning with Indian states like Mysore.
- Napoleon attacked Egypt in 1798 to control middle-east and hurt British trade by dominating the Arabian sea.
- He also had ambitions of re-establishing french influence over India and was in communications with Tipu.
- However, there was no real threat of the french invading India and the British knew it.
- Still, the government agreed to Wellesley as the primary goal of British foreign policy was to protect India from European rivals.
- Wellesley found a middle path in form of a Subsidiary alliance that led to supremacy over Indian states without annexation.
- The model treaty of Subsidiary alliance:
- British protection to the Indian state against its neighbours and also against the internal threat of law and order instability.
- For this EIC stationed its military permanently in the Indian state.
- State to pay for maintenance of EIC army stationed in form of annual subsidy.
- A British resident stationed in the court of an Indian ruler.
- British consent was needed for stationing any Europeans in court.
- Indian states must consult Governor General while negotiating with Indian rulers or foreign power.
- The promise of non-interface by EIC in the internal affairs of the Indian states.
- Impact of Subsidiary alliance on Indian states:
- There was a drain of wealth in the form of subsidy to EIC and the subsidy was high.
- EIC gradually increased the amount of subsidy demanded.
- Now EIC could maintain a large army at expense of Indian states as money for this large army came in form of a subsidy.
- At times Indian rulers gave the territory to EIC as payment of subsidy, for example in 1801 half of Awadh was given.
- There was a loss of jobs for military men as the army of the Indian state was disbanded.
- Indian ruler has to raise taxes to pay subsidies and that made him unpopular.
- Peasants came under the oppression of high land revenue and this increased the chances of peasant revolts.
- Indian rulers were accused of maladministration while they had no powers as the British did not respect the promise of non-interference in internal affairs and British resident established their indirect rule.
- Indian states lost powers to settle border disputes with each other, therefore now could not unite as lost control of foreign policy.
- They also lost the ability to self-defence as they had to disband their armies.
- Hyderabad was the 1st to sign a subsidiary alliance in 1798 due to fear of Marathas and Mysore.
- The significant territory of Mysore after the 4th Anglo-Mysore war in 1799 and Mysore signed a subsidiary alliance in 1799.
- In 1801, Carnatic was annexed after the death of EIC ally Mohammad Ali in 1795.
- In 1801, Awadh signed a subsidiary alliance, and half of Awadh was annexed as permanent payment of subsidy.
- In 1802, Gaekwad of Baroda signed a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help in a succession dispute.
- In 1803, Peshwa Baji Rao-II signed a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help to regain Peshwaship after he was removed by Holkar of Indore.
- After the Defeat in the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war, Scindia of Gwalior signed a subsidiary alliance, and significant territory of Maratha Sardars annexed by EIC.
- In 1805, Travancore signed a subsidiary alliance in return for military help to suppress a revolt by Nair troops due to low salary.
- Wellesley was recalled in 1805 due to high war expenditure.
The topic of the next class: The anglo-Mysore war.
Here are 40 multiple-choice questions based on the class notes you provided. Each question has more than one correct option. The answers are provided after each question.
1. What did the Treaty of Allahabad grant to the British East India Company (EIC)?
a) Diwani of Bengal
b) Diwani of Bihar
c) Diwani of Orissa
d) Control over the revenue administration of Bengal Suba
Answer: a, b, c, d
2. During the dual government in Bengal (1765-1772), who had control over revenue administration?
a) EIC
b) Nawab of Bengal
c) British resident
d) Indian deputy subadar
Answer: a, d
3. Who headed the Nizamat on behalf of the Nawab during the dual government in Bengal?
a) EIC
b) Robert Clive
c) Nawab of Bengal
d) Indian deputy subadar
Answer: d
4. Why did the dual government in Bengal end in 1772?
a) Worsening law and order
b) Warren Hastings' desire to improve administration
c) Pressure from the British government
d) British resident becoming the center of power
Answer: a, b, d
5. What was the outcome of the Treaty of Allahabad with Awadh?
a) Awadh paid a large sum of money to the British
b) A British resident was stationed in the Awadh court
c) Awadh came under the military control of the EIC
d) Duty-free trade was established in Awadh
Answer: a, b, c, d
6. Who initiated the policy of Subsidiary Alliance?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Mir Qasim
Answer: a
7. What was the primary goal of British foreign policy in India?
a) Protect India from European rivals
b) Establish direct rule over Indian states
c) Exploit Indian resources for British gain
d) Annex Indian territories
Answer: a
8. What were the provisions of the Subsidiary Alliance?
a) British protection to the Indian state
b) Indian state paying an annual subsidy for the EIC army
c) Stationing of a British resident in the Indian court
d) Indian states consulting the Governor General for negotiations
Answer: a, b, c, d
9. How did the Subsidiary Alliance impact Indian states?
a) Drain of wealth in the form of subsidies to the EIC
b) Loss of jobs for military men in Indian states
c) Increased oppression of peasants due to high land revenue
d) Indian rulers losing powers to settle border disputes
Answer: a, b, c, d
10. Which Indian states signed a subsidiary alliance?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: a, b, c, d
11. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help in a succession dispute?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Baroda
d) Awadh
Answer: c
12. Who signed a subsidiary alliance with the EIC in return for regaining Peshwaship?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Baroda
d) Peshwa Baji Rao-II
Answer: d
13. What was the fate of the Maratha Sardars after the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war?
a) Annexed by EIC
b) Signed a subsidiary alliance
c) Granted autonomy
d) Remained independent
Answer: a
14. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance due to a revolt by Nair troops?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Baroda
d) Travancore
Answer: d
15. Who initiated the policy of a Ring fence?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Mir Qasim
Answer: a
16. What was the purpose of the policy of a Ring fence?
a) Create a buffer around EIC's core interest regions
b) Establish direct rule over Indian states
c) Annex neighboring territories
d) Promote free trade
Answer: a
17. What was the impact of the Subsidiary Alliance on British war expenditure?
a) It reduced war expenditure
b) It increased war expenditure
c) It had no impact on war expenditure
d) War expenditure was abolished
Answer: a
18. Who was recalled in 1805 due to high war expenditure?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Mir Qasim
Answer: a
19. Which Indian state was the first to sign a subsidiary alliance?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: a
20. Which Indian state lost half of its territory as payment of subsidy?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: d
21. Who gave the policy of indirect rule and balance of power?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Mir Qasim
Answer: a
22. What was the British government's response to Wellesley's proposal?
a) Immediate acceptance
b) Rejection
c) Partial acceptance
d) Request for further clarification
Answer: c
23. What did the ban on imperial expansion by the Pitts India Act lead to?
a) Consolidation of gains from wars
b) Increase in war expenditure
c) Annexation of Indian territories
d) Expansion of British rule
Answer: a
24. What was the British government's primary concern regarding India?
a) Protecting India from European rivals
b) Expanding British influence in India
c) Exploiting Indian resources
d) Annexing Indian territories
Answer: a
25. Who had huge personal political ambitions in British polity?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Mir Qasim
Answer: a
26. Who attacked Egypt in 1798?
a) Wellesley
b) Robert Clive
c) Warren Hastings
d) Napoleon
Answer: d
27. What was Napoleon's intention in attacking Egypt?
a) Control the Middle East
b) Dominate Arabian Sea trade
c) Re-establish French influence over India
d) All of the above
Answer: d
28. What was the real threat of the French invading India?
a) Strong alliances with
Indian states
b) Superior military power
c) None, it was exaggerated
d) Secret negotiations with Indian rulers
Answer: c
29. Why did the British government agree to Wellesley's proposal?
a) Fear of the French invading India
b) Desire to protect British trade interests
c) Political pressure from Wellesley
d) Need for military assistance
Answer: a, b
30. What did the Model Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance promise to Indian states?
a) British protection against external threats
b) British protection against internal law and order instability
c) Non-interference in the internal affairs of Indian states
d) British assistance in border disputes
Answer: a, b, c
31. How did the Subsidiary Alliance affect Indian rulers' control over their territories?
a) They retained full control
b) They lost all control
c) They shared control with the EIC
d) They became puppet rulers
Answer: c, d
32. What was the result of the drain of wealth through subsidies to the EIC?
a) Economic prosperity for Indian states
b) Increased revenue for Indian rulers
c) Economic hardship for Indian states
d) Enhanced trade opportunities
Answer: c
33. Who controlled the EIC army stationed in Indian states?
a) Indian rulers
b) British residents
c) British government
d) EIC officials
Answer: d
34. How did the Subsidiary Alliance impact the Indian economy?
a) Boosted agricultural production
b) Encouraged industrial development
c) Created a dependency on EIC subsidies
d) Stimulated foreign trade
Answer: c
35. What was the consequence of disbanding the Indian states' armies?
a) Increased security
b) Enhanced cooperation
c) Loss of self-defense capabilities
d) Economic stability
Answer: c
36. Who signed the first Subsidiary Alliance in 1798?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: a
37. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance after the 4th Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: b
38. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help in a succession dispute?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Carnatic
d) Awadh
Answer: c
39. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance after being defeated in the 2nd Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Baroda
d) Gwalior
Answer: d
40. Which Indian state signed a subsidiary alliance in return for military help to suppress a revolt?
a) Hyderabad
b) Mysore
c) Baroda
d) Travancore
Answer: d
Here are three long answer type questions based on the class notes:
Question 1:
Explain the Treaty of Allahabad and its significance in the context of British rule in India.
Answer:
The Treaty of Allahabad was a significant event in British rule in India. Under this treaty, the East India Company (EIC) acquired the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, giving them control over the revenue administration and revenues of these provinces. It marked the first time that the EIC took over a sovereign function, establishing its authority over a crucial aspect of governance in the richest province of India.
The treaty established a dual government system (1765-1772) in Bengal, where the EIC controlled the Diwani (revenue administration) and the Nawab of Bengal retained control over the Nizamat (non-revenue administration). However, in practice, the EIC gained full control over Bengal as it appointed a Deputy Subadar, Mohammad Reza Khan, who acted as both the ruler of Nizamat and the Diwan on behalf of the nawab. This effectively made the EIC the center of power, with the British resident stationed in the court exercising significant influence.
The Treaty of Allahabad also had implications for the state of Awadh. Awadh was made to pay a substantial amount of 5 million rupees as a result of the treaty, which further weakened its position and made it dependent on British support. The EIC initiated the policy of a Ring fence, whereby military alliances were established with neighboring states to create a buffer around its core interests. Awadh became a part of this policy, entering into a subsidiary alliance with the EIC. This meant that the EIC stationed its army permanently in Awadh and controlled its military resources. The treaty also allowed for duty-free trade in Awadh.
Overall, the Treaty of Allahabad consolidated the EIC's control over Bengal and Awadh, establishing its dominance and paving the way for further expansion and influence in India.
Question 2:
Discuss the Subsidiary Alliance policy introduced by Lord Wellesley and its impact on Indian states.
Answer:
The Subsidiary Alliance policy, introduced by Lord Wellesley, had a profound impact on Indian states during the British rule in India. The policy was a response to the ban on imperial expansion imposed by the Pitts India Act and the need to consolidate gains from previous wars while maintaining a balance of power among Indian states.
Lord Wellesley, driven by personal political ambitions and the fear of French invasion, convinced the British government to adopt the policy. Despite the lack of a real threat, the primary goal was to protect India from European rivals. The Subsidiary Alliance was a compromise that allowed the EIC to exert supremacy over Indian states without annexing them.
Under the Subsidiary Alliance, the EIC offered protection to Indian states against external threats and internal law and order instability. In return, the EIC stationed its military permanently in the Indian state and required the state to pay for the maintenance of the EIC army through an annual subsidy. A British resident was stationed in the court of the Indian ruler, and Indian states had to consult the Governor General while negotiating with Indian rulers or foreign powers. The EIC also promised non-interference in the internal affairs of the Indian states.
The impact of the Subsidiary Alliance on Indian states was significant. There was a drain of wealth as Indian states had to pay subsidies to the EIC, and the amount of subsidy demanded gradually increased. In some cases, Indian states had to give territory as payment of the subsidy. The disbanding of the Indian states' armies resulted in a loss of self-defense capabilities and increased dependence on the EIC for security. The Indian rulers faced criticism
for alleged maladministration, despite the British promise of non-interference, as British residents established indirect rule in the states. The Subsidiary Alliance also hindered the unity of Indian states, as they lost control over their foreign policies and the ability to settle border disputes.
In essence, the Subsidiary Alliance policy had far-reaching consequences, including economic hardships, loss of power and control for Indian states, and increased British dominance in Indian affairs.
Question 3:
Evaluate the significance of the Treaty of Allahabad and the Subsidiary Alliance policy in the context of British expansion and control in India.
Answer:
The Treaty of Allahabad and the Subsidiary Alliance policy played crucial roles in British expansion and control in India.
The Treaty of Allahabad, by granting the East India Company (EIC) the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, provided the EIC with control over the revenue administration and revenues of these provinces. This not only secured a significant source of income for the EIC but also marked the first instance of the EIC taking over a sovereign function. The treaty established a dual government system, although in practice, the EIC gained full control over Bengal. It further weakened the Nawab of Bengal's position and made the EIC the center of power, with the British resident exerting influence in the court.
The Subsidiary Alliance policy, introduced by Lord Wellesley, allowed the EIC to expand its dominance over Indian states without outright annexation. Through this policy, the EIC offered protection to Indian states against external threats and internal law and order instability. In return, the EIC stationed its military permanently in the Indian state and required an annual subsidy for its maintenance. The British resident in the court and the promise of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Indian states were key features of the policy.
The significance of these developments lies in the consolidation of British control and influence over India. The Treaty of Allahabad secured the EIC's authority over a prosperous province and marked a shift towards direct British rule. It provided a strong economic foundation for the EIC and enabled the company to establish administrative control and influence over the nawabs and rulers of Bengal.
The Subsidiary Alliance policy, on the other hand, allowed the EIC to exercise supremacy over Indian states without annexing them. It provided the EIC with military control, economic benefits through subsidies, and indirect rule through British residents. The drain of wealth from Indian states, the disbanding of their armies, and the loss of control over internal and external affairs weakened the Indian rulers, making them dependent on the EIC.
Together, the Treaty of Allahabad and the Subsidiary Alliance policy were instrumental in expanding British control, establishing economic dominance, and paving the way for further annexations and British influence in India.
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