Regarding the "Subsidiary Alliance' system introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798-1805), which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 i.e. The ruler was free to employ any European (French, Portuguese, etc.) as long as they were not in active conflict with the British.
Under Lord Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance, Indian rulers were strictly prohibited from employing any European (especially the French) in their service. The primary objective of the British was to eliminate the influence of other European powers.
The other provisions are correct:
-
Princely states were required to disband their own armies and maintain a British contingent.
-
In case of failure to make payments, a portion of their territory was taken as a penalty.
-
On paper, the British promised not to interfere in internal administrative affairs (though, in practice, they frequently intervened).