Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley ?

(a) To maintain a large standing army at other's expense
(b) To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
(c) To secure a fixed income for the Company ✓ UPSC's answer
(d) To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States

Why the answer is (c)

• The question asks which statement does NOT apply.

• Under Subsidiary Alliance (1798), an Indian ruler kept a British force in his territory and paid for it or ceded territory — so the Company maintained a large army at others' expense (a), excluded French influence during the Napoleonic wars (b), and established paramountcy by controlling the State's foreign relations (d).

• Securing a fixed income for the Company (c) was not an objective; the payments only covered the subsidiary force, and defaults often led to annexation.

• Hence option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) To maintain a large standing army at other's expense: This applies: the army was maintained at the States' expense.
(b) To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger: This applies: it countered French/Napoleonic influence.
(d) To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States: This applies: it established British paramountcy.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.