In the early 1600s the East India Company made a claim that it was Supreme and represented greater authority, hence, was justified in annexing any Indian Kingdoms. What was the scheme called?

1. A

   Diwan Rights

2. B

   Subsidiary Alliance

3. C

   Doctrine of Lapse

4. D

   Policy of Paramountcy

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

• The Policy of Paramountcy was a direct claim by the East India Company that its authority was supreme ('paramount') over all Indian rulers.
• This policy was initiated under Lord Hastings, who was the Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1823.
• The core justification of this policy was that the Company's interests were superior, giving it the right to annex any Indian state to protect those interests.
• The term 'Paramountcy' itself means 'supreme power or authority', which directly matches the question's description.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Diwan Rights refer to the right to collect revenue (taxes), not a claim of political supremacy. It was a financial power, not a justification for annexation.
• Option B: The Subsidiary Alliance was a specific treaty system where Indian states were forced to pay for British troops and accept a British Resident, thereby losing their independence. It was a method of control, not a broad declaration of supremacy.
• Option C: The Doctrine of Lapse was a specific annexation policy applied only when a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural male heir. It was not a general claim of supreme authority.

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Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain British East India Company's annexation policies in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding these policies is crucial to comprehending the step-by-step process of British colonization in India, moving from a trading company to a ruling power.
• The assertion of 'Paramountcy' marked a significant shift in the Company's attitude, openly declaring its imperial ambitions over Indian states.
• These aggressive annexation policies, particularly the Doctrine of Lapse, created widespread resentment among Indian rulers and were a major contributing factor to the Revolt of 1857.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key concepts in the question stem: 'East India Company', 'claim that it was Supreme', 'greater authority', and 'justified in annexing'.
• Focus on the word 'Supreme'. This is the central idea.
• Analyze the options. 'Paramountcy' is a synonym for supremacy. This makes it a very strong candidate.
• Recall or deduce the meaning of the other options. 'Diwan' relates to revenue, 'Subsidiary Alliance' to military treaties, and 'Doctrine of Lapse' to succession.
• Eliminate the other options as they represent specific, conditional policies rather than a broad, overarching claim of supreme authority.
• Confirm that the Policy of Paramountcy matches the description of claiming ultimate power to justify any annexation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: British East India Company's annexation policies in India.
• Stem keywords: East India Company, Supreme, greater authority, annexing, Indian Kingdoms
• Lead-in keywords: What was the scheme called

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QlHDvK4vy3YqMGvlnIVsar

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