HistoryModern India: Rebels and the Raj

Subsidiary Alliance system was introduced by __________:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Lord Wellesley

The Subsidiary Alliance was a system devised by Lord Wellesley in 1798; a ruler who entered it accepted a British armed contingent in his territory, paid for its upkeep, and could make agreements or war only with British permission.

Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.

2026	2025	2024	2023	2022
–	03-06 S2*	19-07 S1	09-06 S1* 14-06 S3* 19-06 S2*	–

* A similar question.

NCERT (2025-26): “Subsidiary Alliance Subsidiary Alliance was a system devised by Lord Wellesley in 1798. All those who entered into such an alliance with the British had to accept certain terms and conditions:

(a) The British would be responsible for protecting their ally from external and internal threats to their power.
(b) In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed.
(c) The ally would have to provide the resources for maintaining this contingent.
(d) The ally could enter into agreements with other rulers or engage in warfare only with the permission of the British.”