ABSTRACT
Paramountcy is a question to be decided by the lawyers and politicians, and by the course of future events. Its historical origin and growth have been made clear, but a few pages of summary are called for. The term 'paramountry' was frequently used by Lord Hastings, who picked it up from his own great officers. 'Paramountcy' sank back into shadow, and the Princes' position became uncertain, especially since the Company acknowledged 'the King of Delhi' as India's real suzerain. Subsequent events, however, had submerged the thoughts and attitude of Lord Wellesley's time, and even Metcalfe, like the rest of his countrymen in India had to recede from his belief. 'Paramountcy' sank back into shadow, and the Princes' position became uncertain, especially since the Company still acknowledged 'the King of Delhi' as India's real suzerain. It was set back further by the third major war of these twenty years, 1799-1819, that against the Gurkhas of Nepal.
