BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS NATIVE PRINCELY STATES

Along with the rise of British colonialism and the spread of British imperialism, the policies, followed by the British from time to time also underwent change according to conditions and exigencies. One such example is their very policy towards the Native Princely States.

The whole policy of the British towards the Native Princely states can be studies under three broad phases. The first phase may be termed as the "Age of Relative Isolation" or the "Phase of Ring Fencing ". The second one the policy of 'Subordinate Isolation" The second one the policy of 'Subordinate Isolation" and the third "Subordinate Union".

During the first phase, the policy of relative isolationism was conspicuously followed. Since the British were more commercial and enterprising company, and they still did not consolidate their position, they had to maintain. the policy of isolationism. For, the Mughals continued to be the paramount ruling dynasty in India, and for that matter, no Indian prince was less completely, to challenge the might of the British. Secondly commercial interests of the British compelled them often to depend upon the native princes. Also, the British were cautious to the fact that they were aliens on the soil of India and hence any aggressive policy towards native princely states would mean devastation.

During this phase, till the situation warranted, the time and condition required, the British remained isolated. When there interests were endangered, they immediately interfered and sorted out the matter. Best example was, Robert Clive's attitude towards the Nawabs of Bengal, establishment of dual government, suspension of it later in 1772 and assuming directly the power shows a deliberate and systematic policy. Clive rejected the proposal to took over the administration in 1776 and denied for it would mean interference and the people might not accept the change of power immediately. The policy was further refined and modified by Warren Hastings. All through his administration isolation was maintained and at the same time. British interests were taken care of .

A shift in the policy was envisaged by Warren Hastings, as the changing conditions demanded it. In the North, Constant threat of Marathas remained and in the South Hyder Ali became a scourge to the British imperialism A new policy was required to tackle this situation, as result, ring fencing policy was introduced. According to this enemies. From these states, the British would operate against their enemies. Secondly, the buffer states would constitute a ring fencing against the British empire and protect it form the onslaught of the enemies. This was put into practice in the Anglo Mysore wars when Hyderabad was used as the buffer state. Similarly. Avadh and Rohikhand were used as buffer states against the Marathas.

During the times of Wellesley, the policy of relative isolation was all together given up and the ring fencing policy was modified. He saw to it that, the buffer states and the ring fencing provinces would not any longer remain the same, rather they were first brought under the control of the British and from they the policy of expansionism would be carried out effectively. For instance subsidiary alliance system when introduced in 1799 the Nizam was the first to be forced to sign. Later the same system was thrust on the other princely states. For the first time, attempt was made, to bring the princely states systematically under the British control, by creating such conditions, that could not assure autonomy to the states. British banked upon the mutual rivalry and suspicion among the native princes and gradually brought one after the other under their control.

The change in the attitude was clearly reflected when Lord Hastings became the governor general. With him the second stage of the relations between the Native Princely States and Britihs, namely "Subordinate Isolation" started. He replaced, the policy of 'mutual reciprocity and amicability' followed till then. Rather, in this stage isolation of the NPS continued at each and every level. First they were made to accept the British overlordship or paramountacy. Later British never treated, the N.P.S. as a part of British empire in India. Rather, what they did was, they controlled each and every aspect of the administration and name sake retained the princes.

The policy of subordinate isolation was effectively carried out by Dalhousie with his Doctrine of Lapse. It was carried out at three stages. First, undermining the prestige of the NPS, secondly negating their traditional and hereditary rights and by suspending their privileges. The states of Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi, Bhagat, Udaipur were conquered under Doctrine of Lapse. The titles of the Nawabs of Travancore, Arcot were suspended.

Lord canning further carried out the audacity and declared that, after Bahadur Shah, Mughatls would not be allowed to stay in Red Fort. The Indian princes would be merely addressed as princes.

The policy of subordinate isolation was intolerable and much more exploitative, as it humiliated the princes at every level. Precisely, this was why the 1857 revolt took place, and the British had to change their attitude and tactics towards Native Princely States.

The third phase called "Subordingte Union". was characterized by, at the outset, no interference of the British in internal politics, no political conquest under any pretext, autonomy to NPS's in the internal administration, perfect amicanility between the princes and the British.

Lord canning made explicit the basic idea of subordinate union, as it reflected in the "Queen's Proclamation Act". Infact, this was the basis on which the British policy was drafted, towards the NPS. However, in reality the British did not follow the basic tenets of the Act and rather acted according to the time and condition. They interfaced when the matters got warrented, for instance Lord Mayo, sternly warned, the nawabs of Anand (Madhukar Shah and Jawahar Singh) to ensure better administration. In the same way, the territory of Nawab of Kurnool was annexed in 1878. The conquest of Burma, the British policy in Afghanistan and Sindh, go against to the spirit of queen's proclamation. Further, in 1878, the British made it clear, to the native princes that the crown was the empressed of India by proclaiming Queen Victoria as the overlord of Indian territory.

The policy of 'Subordinate Union' subserved the British interests, in so far as to say, that, the Association of Indian native princes was founded with intention of winning the support of the princes. After 1858 particularly, the British required the support of princes against the educated middle classes. As a result perfect understanding was reached between princes and the British. British extended all their support and sympathies to the princely states, all though the freedom movement. From the Round Table Conferences to Mountbatten plan, they were accorded, the "Right of Self-determination". In turn the princely states solidly stood behind the British government and suppressed all the nationalist struggles, taking plce in their respective states. Thus, even in the last phase, though an understanding of interest reached between British and princes, the British controlled every aspect of the princely states and made use of them. All though the course, "isolation and subordinate", existed one way or the other.