Explain divide and rule policy

"Divide and Rule" policy is the policy under which the rulers divide people in small groups, so they cannot rebel against the state. These policies were followed by many European states in order to colonize developing or underdeveloped countries. The British used the same policy in India.

The East India Company used the "Divide and Rule" in order to segregate the Indians on the basis of economic, religious, social and political differences. They knew that India was full of resources and they wanted to limit the benefit to themselves. Hence, they divided the kings/princes of states by imposing policies that only protected the rulers, not the people.

As a result, the kings/princes handed over the states to the British as gratitude. They signed policies by which the British gained power in their state. The British started by establishing the trading company in India but directly ruled over it from 1858-1947.