Who Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?

The Subsidiary Alliance system was introduced by Lord Wellesley (Richard Wellesley, Governor-General 1798–1805), formally implemented from 1798 CE onwards.

Under the Subsidiary Alliance:

• Indian rulers accepted British troops stationed in their territory
• They paid for these troops in cash or by ceding territory to the East India Company
• They could not maintain their own military or conduct independent foreign relations
• In return, the British promised protection from external threats

First applied to the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1798. Subsequently applied to Mysore (1799), Tanjore, Peshwa (1802), Scindia, Bhonsle, and others. It was a powerful instrument of British expansionism rulers who could not pay lost territory and sovereignty.