Identify the correct statement regarding the ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ sy…

The correct answer is Option (4) → In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed

The Subsidiary Alliance was a system devised by Lord Wellesley. A ruler who entered into it had to accept four terms, and each option is tested against them.

Option (1) It was a system devised by Lord Wellesley in 1789 — Incorrect. Wellesley devised it in 1798, not 1789. The digits are the same, only their order is changed.

Option (2) The British would be responsible only for protecting their ally from external threats to their power and not internal threats — Incorrect. The British were to protect their ally from both external and internal threats to its power.

Option (3) The ally could enter into agreements with other rulers or engage in warfare at their own accord — Incorrect. The ally could make agreements with other rulers or go to war only with the permission of the British.

Option (4) In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed — Correct. A British armed contingent was stationed in the ally’s territory, and the ally had to provide the resources for maintaining it.