Who among the following was the first European to initiate the policy of taking part in the quarrels of Indian princes with a view to acquire territories?
- AClive
- BDupleixCorrect
- CAlbuquerque
- DWarren Hastings
Explanation
The correct answer is B because Joseph Francois Dupleix, the French Governor General, was the pioneer of using European military intervention in the internal disputes of Indian rulers to gain political influence and territory.
Before the British adopted this strategy, Dupleix initiated the practice during the Carnatic Wars. He provided disciplined French troops to support specific claimants to the thrones of Hyderabad and Arcot in exchange for land grants and monetary rewards. This strategy, known as the system of subsidiary alliances in its early form, was later refined and used extensively by Robert Clive and the British East India Company to establish their empire in India.
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