Question

How did British colonialists practice their ‘divide and rule’ policy in India? How was it
similar or different from what you have studied about Nigeria?

Answer 1

i) The British were desperate with the Indian people revolting against their rule. They looked for ways to punish the Congress and weaken its hold over the people.
ii) The British actively raised doubts about the right of the Congress to represent the people of the country. They followed the divide and rule policy in India to implement their schemes.
iii) The British government supported the plans of the Muslim League and downplayed the importance of the Congress. It gave scope for the Muslim League and its leaders like MA Jinnah become more active in mass politics.
iv) To solve the problems of minorities, the British imperialists implementing their policy of divide and rule, separated the united India MA Jinnah became more active in mass politics.
The British however, did not relent in their aim to keep two communities at odds with each other.
v) The colonial masters feared the prospect of an emerging Indian nationalism that might lead to the ouster of the British rule in India.
vi) The same policy i.e. ‘Divide and Rule’ adopted by the British in India is quite similar to that of the policy by it is Nigeria.