GENERAL STUDIES ADDITIONAL TOPICS IN MODERN HISTORY 114722; 1* Floor; Old Rajender Nagar; New Delhi -60 Ph. 011-25825591; 42437002; 9811489560 73-75; 1" Floor; Ring Road; Beside GTB Metro Station Kingsway Camp; New Delhi. Ph. 08447273027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 poticy 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 isolations” or the phase of ring fencing. The second one of the policy of subordinate isolation and the third subordinate union, During the 1“ 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 was less completely, to challenge the might of the British, Secondly commercial interests of the British compelled them often to depend upon the native princess. 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 devastati During this phase, till the situation warranted, the time and condition required, the British remained isolated. When their 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 take over the administration in 1767 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, Av new policy was required to tackle this situation,-as a result, ring fencing policy was introduced. According to this, buffer states, would be created between the British and their enemies. Secondly, the buffer states would constitute a ring fencing against the British empire and protect it from 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 uséd as buffer states against the Marathas. During the times of Wellesley, the policy of relative isolation was altogether 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 there the policy of expansionism would be carried out effectively. 1