Why did the British follow the policy of "Divide and Rule" in India?
1 Answer
Colonialism is about making money. Such exploitation is only available if you have control of the country.
Explanation:
India was divided by religion and caste. Britain used the Army, small civil administration of white people, and the existing ruling elite to control the country. The Indian people focused on their own divisions and could not overcome the Colonists. The British efficiently exploited the country.
It is interesting that the repeated famines British India that killed up to 26 million people were almost entirely due to British insistence that Market forces stay in place. Governors that took steps to feed starving people were ordered not to help them so that the grain merchants could continue to export grain and charge very high prices locally. People were compelled by need to sell their children to buy food.
One of the effects of democracy in India is that widespread famines are non existent.
Major famines took place 1769-70, 1876-79, 1896-1900.
