Critically examine Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation in Awadh.
Dalhousie’s policy of annexation of Awadh were:
(i)Dalhousie described the kingdom of Awadh as “a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day “. The conquest happened in stages. The Subsidiary Alliance had been imposed on Awadh in 1801.
(ii) By the terms of this alliance the Nawab had to disband his military force , allow the British to position their troops within the kingdom , and act in accordance with the advice of the British Resident who was attached to the court. Thus the Nawab became dependent on British.
(iii)The British became interested in acquiring Awadh as its soil was good for producing Indigo and cotton, and the region was ideally located to be developed into the principal market of Upper India.
(iv)Annexation of Awadh would complete the territorial annexation by the British beginning with that of Bengal a century earlier. It was annexed on the grounds of maladministration.
