Under which of the following governor-General a new policy of “paramountcy” was initiated?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Lord Hastings -
During the tenure of Lord Hastings, who served as Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1823, a new policy of "Paramountcy" was introduced.
Policy of Paramountcy -
Under this policy, the Company claimed that its authority was supreme, and therefore its power was greater than that of the Indian states.
Objective: To protect its interests, the Company reserved the right to annex or threaten to annex any Indian principality.
Effect: This approach led to the British taking control of many Indian territories in the future. For example, when the British attempted to annex the small state of Kittur (present-day Karnataka), Queen Chennamma took up arms and resisted.