20 Mar By what methods did Britain rule India between 1856 and 1914?

India is a nation of rich cultural heritage and history, a history that was stimmed and oppressed by foriegn empires seeking fame, conquest, and most importantly, profit. India was not simply a victim of the European imperial age, but is the most pointed to the catalyst. Desire for trade with the east has defined policy making since Alexander the Great steamrolled the Persian Empire in the mid 300s BC. It is possibly no surprise then, that once European powers had the means they would take steps to directly control India and the vast economy that rewarded her masters. The most dominant of these masters was the British Empire, ruling territory on the subcontinent in some capacity from 1608 until their tumultuous withdrawal in 1947. The British Empire used a combination of strategies to control India including; dividing natives from each other and their common interests, providing the illusion of home rule through local puppet governments, and exploiting the lack of an Indian national identity for nefarious ends.  Therefore, it is paramount that we understand the reasoning, methods, and execution of British policy in India and the ramifications of these actions on the Indian people.