Under which policy were Indian rulers required to dissolve their own armed forces and accept the British East India Company in their territories, and bear the cost of maintaining those forces?

1. A

   Policy of Paramountcy

2. B

   Subsidiary Alliance

3. C

   Policy of Mercantilism

4. D

   Policy of Neutrality

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -1st)

Explanation

• The Subsidiary Alliance was a treaty system introduced by the British East India Company, most notably used by Governor-General Lord Wellesley.
• Under this policy, Indian rulers were forced to disband their own armies and rely on British troops for protection.
• The core of the agreement was that the Indian state had to pay a 'subsidy' to finance the British troops stationed in their territory.
• This system effectively stripped Indian rulers of their military independence and sovereignty, making them dependent on the British.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The Policy of Paramountcy was a declaration of British supremacy over Indian states, not a specific military and financial treaty requiring the dissolution of armies.
• Option C: Mercantilism is an economic doctrine focused on maximizing national wealth through trade monopolies and resource extraction, not a military alliance system.
• Option D: Neutrality implies non-involvement in conflicts, which is the opposite of the Subsidiary Alliance, an interventionist policy that led to military occupation.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Map of India (c. 1805) - A map showing the territories of Indian states that had accepted the Subsidiary Alliance, such as Hyderabad, Awadh, and Mysore, illustrating the extent of British influence.
• Visual 2: Flowchart - A flowchart detailing the terms of the Subsidiary Alliance, starting from the treaty signing, leading to the disbandment of the local army, stationing of British troops, and the consequences of non-payment (cession of territory).

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain British Expansionist Policies in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• This is a general knowledge question relevant for the non-nursing section of competitive nursing exams.
• Understanding major historical policies provides context for the political and social history of India, which is part of a well-rounded education.
• What if? - If the question had asked about the policy of annexing states where the ruler died without a natural male heir, the correct answer would be the 'Doctrine of Lapse', another key British expansionist policy.

How to Approach the Question

• First, read the question carefully and identify the key conditions described: 1) Indian rulers dissolve their army, 2) accept British forces, and 3) pay for them.
• Next, analyze the options provided. These are all names of historical policies or concepts.
• Recall the definitions of each policy. The Subsidiary Alliance specifically matches all three conditions mentioned in the stem.
• Eliminate the other options. 'Paramountcy' is about supremacy, 'Mercantilism' is economic, and 'Neutrality' is non-involvement.
• Confirm that the Subsidiary Alliance is the only policy that fits the specific military and financial arrangement described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: British Expansionist Policies in India
• Stem keywords: Indian rulers, dissolve armed forces, accept British East India Company, bear the cost
• Lead-in keywords: Under which policy

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