Lord Hastings
Explanation
The policy of "Paramountcy" was a strategic doctrine adopted by the British East India Company to assert its supremacy over Indian Princely States. It marked a shift from treating Indian states as equals to subordinating them under British authority.
Detailed Analysis:
- Initiator: The policy was initiated under the Governor-Generalship of Lord Hastings (1813–1823).
- Core Principle: Under this policy, the Company claimed that its authority was "paramount" or supreme. Consequently, its power was greater than that of any Indian state.
- Implication: To protect its interests, the Company claimed justification in annexing or threatening to annex any Indian kingdom. This policy guided British expansion in the early 19th century.
- Comparison with Other Options:
- Lord Wellesley : Associated with the Subsidiary Alliance system (1798).
- Lord Dalhousie : Associated with the Doctrine of Lapse (1848).
- Warren Hastings : Associated with the Ring Fence policy.
Key Takeaway:
Lord Hastings introduced the policy of Paramountcy, declaring British authority supreme over all Indian states, distinct from Wellesley's Subsidiary Alliance or Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse.