Q41. Which of the following defines the core feature of the Subsidiary Alliance system?
British Imperialism and Early Resistance: RAS Prelims MCQs
50 RAS Prelims MCQs on British imperialism and early resistance follow the Company from its charter to the Mysore and Maratha wars. The Treaty of Allahabad, Dual Government, the four Anglo-Mysore wars, Tipu Sultan’s reforms and the Maratha struggle with the British are asked as facts, treaties and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 50 questions
Q42. Which of the following major states strictly refused to accept the Subsidiary Alliance system until their final defeat?
Explanation
While the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Awadh accepted the Subsidiary Alliance early on, the Maratha chiefs generally resisted it to preserve their independence. It was only after severe internal conflicts and military defeats that the Peshwa and other Maratha leaders were eventually forced to sign such treaties. Their resistance made the Anglo-Maratha wars some of the most difficult British campaigns.
Q43. Consider the following provisions of the Subsidiary Alliance system:
I. The allied state had to keep a British Resident at its capital.
II. The state could not employ any European without British approval.
III. The state was completely free to negotiate treaties with other Indian rulers.
IV. The British promised to protect the state from external attacks and internal revolts.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The allied state had to keep a British Resident at its capital.
II. The state could not employ any European without British approval.
III. The state was completely free to negotiate treaties with other Indian rulers.
IV. The British promised to protect the state from external attacks and internal revolts.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Subsidiary Alliance system imposed strict controls on the external relations of an Indian state. Allied rulers were required to host a British Resident and were prohibited from employing other Europeans or negotiating with other Indian powers without British mediation. In return, the British provided a guarantee of protection against external threats, effectively turning the state into a protected dependent of the Company.
Q44. From the perspective of the native states, what was the most damaging long-term consequence of entering into a Subsidiary Alliance?
Explanation
The most significant impact of the Subsidiary Alliance was the total loss of external sovereignty. By surrendering the right to conduct independent diplomacy and maintain their own military, native states became mere shells of their former selves. They became geographically and politically isolated, unable to form alliances with other states, which made the eventual British takeover of India much easier.
Q45. Identify the statement that does not represent an advantage of the Subsidiary Alliance for the East India Company:
Explanation
The Subsidiary Alliance often had a negative impact on internal governance. Since rulers were protected from internal revolts by British troops, they often became indifferent to the welfare of their subjects or the efficiency of their administration. This frequently led to "misgovernance," which the British later used as a pretext to annex these states directly, as seen in the case of Awadh.
Q46. According to the application of the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie, arrange the annexation of the following states in chronological order:
Explanation
Lord Dalhousie systematically applied the Doctrine of Lapse to annex several states. Satara was the first to be taken in 1848, followed by Jaitpur and Sambalpur in 1849. Baghat was annexed in 1850, and Udaipur in 1852. The more famous annexations of Jhansi and Nagpur occurred later, in 1854, causing widespread resentment among the traditional ruling classes of Central India.
Q47. Which of the following states was annexed by Lord Dalhousie not on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse, but on the pretext of "misgovernance"?
Explanation
Unlike other states, the Nawab of Awadh had natural heirs, so the Doctrine of Lapse could not be applied. However, Lord Dalhousie was determined to annex the fertile and strategic region. He used the reports of chronic administrative failure and the suffering of the people as a moral justification to depose Wajid Ali Shah and annex the kingdom in 1856.
Q48. Consider the following statements regarding the Doctrine of Lapse:
I. It was formulated and first implemented by Lord Dalhousie.
II. It stated that if a dependent state’s ruler died without a natural biological heir, the state would lapse to the paramount power.
III. It completely invalidated the traditional Hindu practice of adopting an heir without British consent.
IV. Awadh was annexed purely under the strict rules of the Doctrine of Lapse.
V. It was a major grievance contributing to the Revolt of 1857.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was formulated and first implemented by Lord Dalhousie.
II. It stated that if a dependent state’s ruler died without a natural biological heir, the state would lapse to the paramount power.
III. It completely invalidated the traditional Hindu practice of adopting an heir without British consent.
IV. Awadh was annexed purely under the strict rules of the Doctrine of Lapse.
V. It was a major grievance contributing to the Revolt of 1857.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Doctrine of Lapse was based on the idea that the paramount power could refuse to recognize an adopted heir in dependent states. While Dalhousie expanded its use, the principle had roots in earlier Company policies.
Q49. The legal premise of the Doctrine of Lapse rested on distinguishing between which two types of states?
Explanation
Lord Dalhousie’s legal argument for the Doctrine of Lapse rested on a hierarchy of states. He argued that "independent" states had the right to adopt heirs, but "dependent" states--those created by the British or paying tribute--required the consent of the paramount power. By classifying most Indian states as dependent, he created a legal pathway for their eventual annexation to British India.
Q50. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Dalhousie’s annexations and the reason given:
Explanation
Punjab was not annexed through the Doctrine of Lapse. Instead, it was taken over following a direct military conflict known as the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849. The other states mentioned, like Satara and Jhansi, were indeed annexed because their rulers died without natural heirs, whereas Awadh was annexed based on the specific charge of persistent misadministration by the Nawab.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (a) The native ruler disbands his army to maintain a British force at his own expense. |
| 42 | (c) The Maratha Confederacy |
| 43 | (b) I, II and IV only |
| 44 | (c) They lost political independence and the sovereign right to conduct foreign relations. |
| 45 | (d) It significantly improved the quality of governance and welfare of the people in the native states. |
| 46 | (a) Satara, Jaitpur, Jhansi, Nagpur |
| 47 | (c) Awadh |
| 48 | (b) II, III and V only |
| 49 | (d) Sovereign independent states versus dependent states created by or paying tribute. |
| 50 | (b) Punjab - Annexed through the Doctrine of Lapse |
Key facts from British Imperialism and Early Resistance
- The Charter of 1600 gave the English East India Company a trading monopoly; the Company moved its western headquarters from Surat to Bombay in 1687.
- By the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) the Company got the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa; Dual Government separated Diwani (revenue) from Nizamat (police and justice) and was ended by Warren Hastings.
- The Treaty of Madras ended the First Anglo-Mysore War; the Third War (1790-92) began with Tipu’s attack on the Raja of Travancore.
- Lord Cornwallis said after the Third Mysore War that the British had crippled their enemy without making friends too strong.
- David Baird led the assault on Seringapatam in 1799.
- Tipu Sultan planted a Tree of Liberty, set up a Board of Admiralty and tried to monopolise trade in goods like sandalwood and pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on British Imperialism and Early Resistance?
This page has 50 practice MCQs on British Imperialism and Early Resistance (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What did the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) give the Company?
The Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, meaning the right to collect revenue. This gave the Company financial control over the richest provinces of India and is seen as the real beginning of its political power.
What was Dual Government in Bengal?
A system in which the Company held the Diwani (revenue collection) while the Nawab kept the Nizamat (police and judicial functions). Power and responsibility were split, which led to misrule, and Warren Hastings abolished it.
What caused the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
Tipu Sultan’s attack on the Raja of Travancore, an ally of the British. The war ended in 1792 with the Treaty of Seringapatam, by which Tipu lost about half his territory.