Debate:

The subsidiary system of Lord Wellesley cured the independent nature of native rulers – Debate in your class.

Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance which was to bring the Princely States under the control of British. This alliance allowed the British to expand their army that too with the expense of the local rulers. The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first ruler to enter into the subsidiary alliance.

The debate in Favour if the subsidiary alliance

• The native ruler who became a subsidiary ally of the English would be protected by the Company's government against foreign attack. This was the major advantage for the small and weak rulers to protect their kingdom.

• The first native ruler who accepted the Subsidiary Alliance was the Nizam of Hyderabad. Lord Wellesley also forced the Nawab of Oudh to accept it.

• This system of a subsidiary alliance made the British rule stronger in India. The East India Company became the authority to rule the country.

• This system helped them to rule much more efficiently and also their trade was also made much easier.

• The governorship was in the hands of British and this gave the Indians the chance to unite as they felt really oppressed by their rule.

• Local armies training was obtained by the British, this has led to the stronger part of the Indian army.

Debate against the subsidiary alliance

• The Indian rulers and administrators lost their administrative and judicial powers. These powers were transferred to the hands of the British through this system.

• The rulers were forced to pay a huge amount of subsidy for the protection that was received by the British force. This led to the oppression of the Indian rulers in the Indian kingdom.

• The independence and the sovereignty of the states were entirely lost due to this system of the subsidiary alliance.

• Due to lack of practising their authority the Indian rulers were heavily demoralized and grew weaker.