The correct answer is: d) All of the above.
The British divide-and-rule policy was a strategy used by the British East India Company to maintain control over the Indian subcontinent. The policy involved playing different groups of Indians off against each other, such as Hindus and Muslims, or different castes. This helped to prevent the Indians from uniting against the British.
In Punjab, the British divide-and-rule policy was intensified after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The British favored certain communities, such as the Sikhs, who had been loyal to the British during the rebellion. This exacerbated communal tensions between the Sikhs and other communities, such as the Hindus and Muslims. It also exacerbated caste divisions, as the British favored certain castes over others.
The British divide-and-rule policy had a lasting impact on Indian society. It helped to create a climate of mistrust and suspicion between different groups of Indians. It also contributed to economic disparities, as the British favored certain communities over others.
The British divide-and-rule policy was a cynical and destructive policy that had a negative impact on Indian society. It is important to understand the history of this policy in order to understand the challenges that India faces today.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Communal tensions: Communal tensions are tensions between different religious groups. In Punjab, the British divide-and-rule policy exacerbated communal tensions between the Sikhs and other communities, such as the Hindus and Muslims.
- Caste divisions: Caste divisions are divisions between different social groups based on birth. In Punjab, the British divide-and-rule policy exacerbated caste divisions, as the British favored certain castes over others.
- Economic disparities: Economic disparities are differences in wealth and income between different groups of people. The British divide-and-rule policy contributed to economic disparities, as the British favored certain communities over others.