Question

Who introduced the policy of 'Paramountcy?
A. Robert Clive
B. Warren Hastings
C. Lord Wellesley
D. Dalhousie

Answer 1

Hint: From the early 19th century the company pursued a policy of territorial expansion. Under the new Governor-General from 1813 to 1823. The new policy was named as paramountcy. As per the policy the company claimed its authority and called itself as supreme or paramount, hence its power was greater than of the Indian states.

Complete answer: The policy of paramountcy was introduced under Lord Warren Hastings. He was the Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1823. Under this policy, the company became the supreme law, the paramount power and to protect its interest, the company justified the annexations of any Indian kingdom. Under this process when the British tried to annex the small states of Karnataka Rani Channamma led an anti-British resistance movement. She was arrested in 1824 and died in prison. But Rayanna who was the poor chowkidar of Karnataka carried on with their resistance and with popular support he destroyed many British records and camps. Later he was caught and hanged by the British in 1830.
-Robert Clive fought the Battle of Plassey with Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and defeated Nawab later in 1765. Under Robert Clive, the company was appointed as the Diwan of the provinces of Bengal. He became the first British Governor of the Bengal presidency and benefited the English company with the Diwani system.
-Lord Wellesley who was the fifth Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805. He introduced the doctrine of the subsidiary alliance. As per this policy, the Indian states were forced to accept the settlements of British forces within their territory and had to pay a subsidiary for their maintenance.
-Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General from 1848 to 1856. Under his rule, he introduced the policy of annexation which came to be known as a doctrine of lapse. According to the policy if an Indian ruler died without a male successor his Kingdom would automatically lapse or fall into the company's territory. It also mentioned that the ruler cannot adopt the male successor as it should be the natural one.
Hence, the correct answer to this question is option-B.

Note: In 1830 East India company carried out several annexation programs to secure their control over the north-west. They fought a prolonged war with Afghanistan and established indirect company rule there. Later Punjab and Sindh were also annexed in different periods.