The Paramountcy policy was put into place by Lord Warren Hastings. This was one of the methods the British employed to establish their dominance and interfere with the administration of Indian states. As a result of this policy, the corporation assumed supreme legal and political authority, and in order to safeguard its interests, it authorized the acquisition of any Indian country.
Paramountcy Policy
Under Lord Hastings, a new “paramountcy” policy was put into place (Governor-General from 1813 to 1823). The business claimed that it could annex or threaten to annex any Indian state since its power was superior or paramount. This was seen as the foundational model for various British initiatives that came later. According to the Policy of Paramountcy, the East India Company claimed that its powers were greater than those of Indian states and that they were supreme or paramount. The British established an indirect company government in Afghanistan as a result of the protracted war they fought there between 1838 and 1842. Sindh was taken over.
After two protracted wars, Punjab was annexed in 1849 under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s authority. The British changed their grip over the northwest during these decades due to worries about a Russian invasion. Through a number of strategies, including the ring-fencing policy, subordinate isolation, and subordinate union, British paramountcy evolved. The British used a variety of strategies to create the idea of paramountcy, including direct annexation through war and a subsidiary alliance structure through treaties. The British nobility has gone through three major stages over the span of two centuries:
Initial Phase
- The ‘Ring Fence’ or non-interference policy was in place between 1757 and 1813.
- They made every effort to remain inside a ring fence throughout this time. In other words, they avoided interfering with other people’s concerns in an effort to boost their position in a certain area.
The reality on the ground was a major factor in their pursuit of this approach. The British were not yet powerful enough to confront all or even several of the Indian powers at once, despite being one of India’s most formidable armies at the time. However, the English started to establish themselves as India’s dominant force throughout this initial stage.
Phase II
During the second 45-year phase, the subordinate isolation policy was put into effect (1813-1858). They rose to the position of absolute authority at this time and asserted their supremacy over all native states. However, they did not include Princely India in their claim to the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, there was a steady transition from subordinate partnership to annexation policy as the need for British imperialism increased.
Additionally, throughout this time there was a steady transition from subordinate partnership to annexation policy as the need for British imperialism increased. During these 21 years, the policy of annexation replaced the policy of subordinate collaboration (1834-58). All Governor Generals, from William Bentinck to Dalhousie, adopted this strategy, which was first proclaimed by the Court of Directors in 1834 and reiterated by them in 1841.
Dalhousie pursued annexation with vigor and zeal, even developing concepts like the doctrine of lapse and the maxim of the benefit of the governed, despite the fact that there had been numerous instances before him (Maladministration of government). During his eight-year rule, he conquered Punjab by war. Using the philosophy of lapse, he also subdued ten states, starting with Satara and finishing with Nagpur. In the case of Awadh, the final Indian province to be annexed by the British, he cited mismanagement or bad government as an explanation.
Phase III
- The British started the sub-ordinate unity program after the uprising of 1857, and it continued until 1947.
- The British choose to stop annexing states after the uprising of 1857 in favor of defending the original states.
- The vast majority of native leaders supported the British during the revolution and even helped them put it down.
- The British discovered an important lesson as a result of the revolution: maintaining the original nations would be much more advantageous to them than annexing these kingdoms.
- The British will now use the fact that they now control an empire in India that comprises both British India and princely India to defend their new strategy.
- Therefore, there is no purpose in annexing something that is already theirs. Another significant reason for not annexing any additional land was the absence of any more useful land in India.
- This new subordinate unity doctrine was articulated in the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858 and formally accepted by the Government of India Act, of 1858.
- The local leaders were now promised in writing eternal life in return for their allegiance and efficiency. 160 of the 562 native monarchs of the era were given special permission to undergo adoption because the naturally born male successors failed to succeed them.
- Furthermore, in the significant cases of Baroda (1874) and Manipur, the English showed their reluctance to conquer any native state (1881). They nevertheless intervened in both instances to show that they would not put up with inefficiency or treachery.
On the surface, the system of paramountcy was essentially a form of restricted sovereignty. Actually, it was a strategy used by the Imperial State to assemble a strong base of support. With the assistance of the Imperial State, rulers were no longer required to gain legitimacy from their subjects through patronage or consultation. Through the princes and other indirect channels, the colonial state reduced India’s people to the status of subjects rather than citizens.
Related Links
- Economic Policies of the British in India
- Policies of British Rulers that Led to Exploitation of the Indian Economy
- Development of Indian Press during British Rule in India
- East India Company in India
FAQs on Policy of Paramountcy
Q 1. What do you mean by the British paramountcy?
Answer-
Under Lord Hastings, the East India Company pursued geographical expansion and a “paramountcy” doctrine to claim that British authority was superior to any Indian kingdom. With this claim, they defended the annexation of other lands.
This was one of the methods the British employed to establish their dominance and interfere with the administration of Indian states. As a result of this policy, the corporation assumed supreme legal and political authority, and in order to safeguard its interests, it authorized the acquisition of any Indian country.
Q 2. When and after how many wars does Punjab was annexed?
Answer:
In 1849, after two protracted wars, Punjab was annexed under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s authority.
Q 3. Which independent state has become part of Karnataka?
Answer-
An former independent state called Kittur has become part of Karnataka.