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GS History Modern India
Q.

With reference to various expansion and annexation policies of British power in India, consider the following statements:

1. If a ruler of the protected state dies without leaving any heir, his state was subject to annexation.

2. The Indian native ruler(s) under the Subsidiary alliance could neither enter into alliance with any other power nor fight a war without prior permission from the British.

3. The Nizam of Hyderabad was first to enter into a subsidiary alliance with the English.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy devised by Lord Dalhousie. There was a widespread custom of adoption among the Indian kings to secure an heir in the absence of a natural successor i.e. son. But as per the doctrine of lapse any Indian state created by or under the direct influence (paramount) of the British East India Company , as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically “lapse” or annexed by the British if the ruler was either incompetent or died without a natural male heir.

Statement 2 is correct: The British, under the subsidiary alliance system, agreed to protect the Indian rulers against external threats and internal disorder but, in return, the Indian rulers who accepted the Subsidiary Alliance system were to agree to the stationing of British contingent for whose maintenance they would pay a subsidy to the British. The ruler under the system of alliance could neither enter into alliance with any other power nor fight a war without prior permission from the British. A British resident was stationed at these ruling states that had the authority to interfere in state politics.

Statement 3 is correct: The Nizam of Hydrabad was first to enter into a subsidiary alliance with the English in 1798. He was forced to replace the French officers from his court and put English officers in their place. He also granted the territories of Bellari and Cudappah to British for the maintenance of the army.

Thus, Option C is Correct.

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