Examine the enforcement of ^he subsidary system by Lord Wellesley

Examine the enforcement of ^he subsidary system by Lord Wellesley.

Hyderabad was the first state which was brought under Wellesley’s subsidiary system in 1798. The treaty concluded in 1798 was an adhoc measure.It fixed the amount to be paid annually at Rs.24 lakhs for the subsidiary force. In accordance with the treaty, all the French troops in Hyderabad were disbanded ad replaced by a subsidiary British force. A new treaty was concluded in 1800 by which the Nizam ceded large territories to the company and this constitutes the famous ceded Districts.

Oudh:
The threat of invasion by Zaman Shah pf Afghanistan was the pretext for Wellesley to force the Nawab of Oudh to enter into a subsidiary P treaty. Accordingly the Nawab gave the British the rich lands of Rohilkand, the lower Doab and Gorakhpur for the maintenance of an increased army which the British stationed in the capital of Oudh. The strength of Nawab’s own army was reduced. For the maintenance of law and order the British were authorised to frame rules and regulations. By this, the British acquired the right to interfere in the internal matters of Oudh. Although the company obtained a fertile and populous territory, which increased its resources, the high handed action of Wellesley was severely criticized.

Tanjore, Surat and the Karnatak:
Wellesley assumed the administration of Tanjore, Surat and the Karnatak by concluding treaties with the respective rulers of these states. The Maratha State of Tanjore witnessed a succession dispute. In 1799, Wellesley concluded a treaty with Serfoji. In accordance with this treaty the British look over the administration of the state and allowed Serfoji to retain the title of Raja with a pension of lakhs of rupees.

The’ Principality of Surat came under British protection as early as 1759. The Nawab of this historic city died in 1799 and his brother succeeded, him. The change of succession provided Wellesley an opportunity to take over the administration of Surat. The Nawab was allowed to retain the title and given a pension of one lakh of rupees.

The people of Karnatak had been suffering for a long time by the double government. The Nawab, Umadat-ul-Umara was an incompetent ruler notes ’ for his extravagance and misrule the died in the middle of 1801 and his son, Ali Hussain became the Nawab. Wellesley asked him to retire with liberal pension leaving the administration to the English. Since he refused, Wellesley signed a treaty with Azim-Ud-daulah, the nephew of the deceased Nawab in 1801. Accordingly the entire military and civil administration of the Karnatak came under the British.