428 INDIA UNDER THE CROWN

from his palace at Delhi when a new monarchy was inaugurated, and the political reconstruction of the frag- ments of the Moghul empire was consolidated by a series of edicts and statutes. For British India, the territory under our immediate government, the narra- tive of this period is comparatively uneventful it records internal affairs and administrative progress. But some account of external affairs must be given; first, in regard to the native chiefships whose lands, though not British territory, are enclosed within Brit- ish India, and secondly, in regard to events and trans- actions, some of them of great importance, in the adjacent countries outside the external limits of our territorial jurisdiction. The policy, inaugurated by Lord Wellesley's sub- sidiary treaties, and continued by his successors, of bringing all the native states of India into subordinate relation with the British sovereignty, has already been briefly described. Under this system the supreme government has undertaken their protection and de- fence, arbitrates in any disputes among them, deter- mines all claims to succeed to the rulership, maintains the chief's legitimate authority against revolt, and in- terferes with their internal affairs in cases of serious abuse of power or grave disorder. In 1860 Lord Can- ning conveyed to all these chiefs the assurance of the Queen's desire that their rulership should be perpetu- ated, and that, accordingly, adoption of successors made in accordance with the law and custom of their families would be recognized and confirmed. The effect of this