Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
A
To maintain a large standing army at other's expense
B
To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
C
To secure a fixed income for the Company
Correct Answer
D
To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States
Explanation
Option (c) is the correct answer because the Subsidiary Alliance was a military and political tool for territorial expansion, whereas securing a "fixed income" was the primary objective of land revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement. Option (b) is a valid feature of the alliance, as Wellesley specifically intended to eliminate French influence in Indian courts to safeguard British interests against the Napoleonic threat. The core concept tested is the strategic mechanism used by the British East India Company to establish political hegemony and paramountcy over Indian states without direct annexation.
British Expansion in IndiaSubsidiary AllianceSubsidiary AllianceLord Wellesleylarge standing armyNapoleonic dangerfixed incomeBritish paramountcyIndian States