British policies for the native princes

British policies for the native princes

Question:-The British adopted different policies, period wise, towards the native princes. Discuss them in sequence.

There were three phases of policies of the British towards the native princes of India.

(i) Relative Isolation and Ring Fencing
(ii) Subordinate Isolation
(iii) Subordinate Union

(i) Relative Isolation and Ring Fencing
- When the British were new to this land, the Mughals were paramount. Though they were more commercial and enterprising, for many things they needed the help of the native princes.

- Any sudden change in the rule or power structure would have devastated the position of the British by disturbing the princes' positions. So they kept themselves isolated, at the same time guarded the British interests. Whenever their interests were at stake, they interfered and sorted matters e.g. Clive's policy towards the Nawabs of Bengal. He established the Dual government and took it back in 1772. He assumed power over there but did not take over.

- Hastings refined the policy further. When they were threatened by the Marathas from the north and Hyder Ali from the south, they decided to create buffer states between the British and their enemies. They would constitute ring fencing against the British empire and protect it from the enemies. Hyderabad in the Anglo-Mysore war and Avadh and Rohilakhand against the Marathas acted as buffer states.

- Wellesley went ahead to bring the buffer states and the under the British control. Slowly they started bringing princely states under them systematically taking advantage of their weaknesses like mutual rivalry.

(ii) Subordinate Isolation
- With Hastings becoming the governor general, the second phase, started. The NPSs were kept under the British umbrella but they were kept in isolation too.

- Even after conquest and annexation, the British remained isolated. On the other hand, they interfered and controlled each and every aspect of administration of those states.

- This policy can be clearly seen being used by the Doctrine of Lapse of Lord Dalhousie where, in the absence of a legitimate heir, the kingdom moved under the British control. This was even a reason for the 1857 revolt.

(iii) Subordinate Union
- Canning is significant for this phase. He declared that the Subordinate Union would be conducted through the principles mentioned in the “Queen's Proclamation Act”.

- This phase is characterized by no interference in internal politics, autonomy to the Native princely states and harmonious relation between the states and the British.

- But they themselves could not stick to the criteria and interfered whenever they could. The territory of the Nawab of Kurnool was annexed this way in 1878.

Thus, gradually, from commerce to empire was formed.