Which of the following rulers forced to give over half of his territory to the East India Company in 1801?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: Option 1 (Nawab of Awadh)
Explanation:
In 1801, the Nawab of Awadh (Saadat Ali Khan) was forced to cede more than half of his territory to the East India Company. The main reason for this was the Subsidiary Alliance imposed by Lord Wellesley. The Nawab failed to pay for the Company's Subsidiary Force, in return for which the Company occupied important areas such as Rohilkhand and the Doab.
Additional Facts
Lord Wellesley: Governor General Lord Wellesley (1798-1805) is credited with widespread dissemination of the Subsidiary Alliance in India.
Conditions of the Subsidiary Alliance: Indian rulers had to maintain a British Resident at their court and could not employ any other European without British permission.
Hyderabad: The first state to accept the Subsidiary Alliance was Hyderabad (1798).
Possible questions for the upcoming exam
Who initiated the policy of Subsidiary Alliance?
(Answer: Lord Wellesley)
Which state was annexed in 1856 on the grounds of 'misrule'?
(Answer: Awadh)
Who was the last Nawab of Awadh?
(Answer: Wajid Ali Shah)