Question

State your opinion.

British keenly watched political events in India’s neighboring states.

Answer 1

1. To protect their colonies in India from other colonialist European nations and to boost their trade in India and the neighbouring regions were the main objectives of the British rulers.
2. In order to establish their dominance in India, it was important to conquer the neighbouring countries to safeguard their interests and assertion over the territory. This would also help in the expansion of British rule and trading in Asia would have been much more profitable.
3. After evaluating the risks and observing the political scenario of the neighbouring countries, the British waged wars against the smaller kingdoms on the pretexts of high tax imposition, levying of fines, violations of agreements etc. This led to the capturing of Burma, Nepal, Myanmar, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet.
4. Therefore, in my opinion, the British was interested in the affairs of the neighbouring states of India as they held geographic and economic importance which would help them in flourishing their business throughout Asia.