Lord Wellesley served as the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805. He is best known for expanding British rule in India through the Subsidiary Alliance System and for his role in the Anglo-Mysore Wars and Anglo-Maratha Wars.
Key Contributions of Lord Wellesley
1. Subsidiary Alliance System (1798)
✅ Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance to extend British control over Indian states.
✅ Under this system:
- Indian rulers had to keep British troops in their territory.
- They had to pay for British protection or cede territory if they failed to pay.
- They could not make alliances or wage wars without British permission.
✅ States that accepted the Subsidiary Alliance: - Hyderabad (1798) – First state to accept
- Mysore (1799)
- Tanjore (1799)
- Awadh (1801)
👉 Effect: Many Indian states lost independence and became dependent on the British.
2. Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
✅ Waged war against Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
✅ Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed at Srirangapatna (1799).
✅ Mysore was divided, and a British-friendly Wodeyar dynasty was restored.
✅ Marked the end of Mysore’s resistance against the British.
👉 Effect: Strengthened British dominance in South India.
3. Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805)
✅ Fought against the Marathas, who were divided after Peshwa Baji Rao II sought British help.
✅ British defeated the Scindias, Holkars, and Bhonsles.
✅ Treaty of Bassein (1802): Peshwa Baji Rao II accepted Subsidiary Alliance, making him a puppet of the British.
👉 Effect: British gained control over Delhi, Agra, and large parts of Central India.
4. Expansion of British Territories
✅ Conquered Awadh (1801) through the Subsidiary Alliance.
✅ Strengthened British naval power in India.
✅ Established British rule firmly in North and South India.
5. Fort William College (1800)
✅ Established Fort William College in Calcutta for training British officers in Indian languages and administration.
👉 Effect: Helped British officials learn Indian languages like Persian, Sanskrit, and Bengali.
Comparison of Lord Wellesley with Other Governors-General
| Governor-General | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) | Subsidiary Alliance, Anglo-Mysore War, Anglo-Maratha War |
| Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793) | Permanent Settlement, Civil Service Reforms |
| Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856) | Doctrine of Lapse, Railways & Telegraph, Public Works |
| Lord William Bentinck (1828–1835) | Abolition of Sati, English Education, Social Reforms |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance system in India?
a) Lord Cornwallis
b) Lord Wellesley
c) Lord Dalhousie
d) Lord William Bentinck
✅ Answer: b) Lord Wellesley - Which was the first Indian state to accept the Subsidiary Alliance?
a) Mysore
b) Awadh
c) Hyderabad
d) Gwalior
✅ Answer: c) Hyderabad - The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799) resulted in the death of which ruler?
a) Haider Ali
b) Peshwa Baji Rao II
c) Tipu Sultan
d) Nana Phadnavis
✅ Answer: c) Tipu Sultan - Which treaty made Peshwa Baji Rao II a British puppet?
a) Treaty of Seringapatam
b) Treaty of Bassein
c) Treaty of Allahabad
d) Treaty of Purandar
✅ Answer: b) Treaty of Bassein - Which educational institution was established by Lord Wellesley?
a) Hindu College
b) Fort William College
c) Presidency College
d) Aligarh Muslim University
✅ Answer: b) Fort William College
Conclusion
Lord Wellesley was a military strategist and expansionist who strengthened British control over India through the Subsidiary Alliance, Anglo-Mysore War, and Anglo-Maratha War. His policies expanded British rule but also created tensions with Indian rulers.
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