Ritu, a history student in Lucknow, is reading a set of old letters. In one letter of 1801 the Nawab of Awadh accepts new terms offered by the Company. In later letters he writes again and again to the British Resident at his court, asking for help whenever a chief or taluqdar refuses to obey him. Letters of Company officials from the early 1850s show a growing interest in taking over the territory of Awadh itself. In 1856 the kingdom is formally taken over.
Why did the Nawab keep turning to the Resident for help against his own chiefs and taluqdars?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Under the terms he had accepted, he had to disband his military force
Option (1) Under the terms he had accepted, he had to disband his military force — Correct. The 1801 terms were the Subsidiary Alliance. The Nawab had to disband his military force and let British troops be posted in Awadh. Without an army he depended on the British for law and order and could not control rebellious chiefs and taluqdars.
Option (2) His own troops had gone over to the side of the rebellious chiefs — Incorrect. There is no desertion of the Nawab's troops here. He had no army left because the alliance terms took it away.
Option (3) Under the terms he had accepted, he could not collect revenue himself — Incorrect. The alliance terms dealt with his army, the British troops and the Resident's advice. Revenue collection was outside these terms.
Option (4) His soldiers had been sent away to fight the Company's wars in the Punjab — Incorrect. The Nawab's army was disbanded under the alliance terms. There was no army left to send to the Punjab.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day” |