Under Lord Hastings (Governor-General 1813–1823), the Company claimed that its authority was supreme and its power greater than that of the Indian states. This policy is known as
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Paramountcy
Under Lord Hastings a new policy of ‘paramountcy’ began: the Company claimed its authority was supreme, so it could annex or threaten to annex any Indian kingdom to protect its interests.