How did the British consolidate their presence in India?

The British consolidated their presence in India through the following ways:

• Expansion of trading activities by acquiring permission from the local rulers in return for tribute from the British. At time even force of arms was employed to acquire such permissions

• Employment of policies such as the Doctrine of Lapse provided the British a pretext in taking over many Indian kingdoms.

• Internal friction between the various kingdoms of India provided the British ample opportunity to conquer various regions by allying with the warring factions.

• They further consolidated their rule by ensuring the various cultural and ethnici groups of India would stay divided amongst themselves. They did this by employing their well known ‘Divide and Rule policy.

For further reading check the following articles:

• British Raj
• European Colonialism
• Colonialism