The correct answer is: a) Ahom Kingdom.
The Ahom Kingdom was a powerful kingdom that ruled over Assam from the 13th to the 18th centuries. During this time, the Ahoms conquered many smaller kingdoms and brought them under their rule. However, the Ahoms allowed these smaller kingdoms to retain a degree of autonomy, as long as they paid tribute to the Ahom king. This system of government allowed the Ahoms to maintain control over a large territory without having to directly administer it.
The Mughal Empire was a powerful empire that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The Mughals did not allow their conquered territories to retain any autonomy. Instead, they directly administered all of their territories from the capital city of Delhi.
The British East India Company was a trading company that was founded in England in the 17th century. The Company gradually gained control over much of India, and by the 19th century, it had become the dominant power in the subcontinent. The British did not allow their Indian territories to retain any autonomy. Instead, they directly administered all of their territories from London.
Independent rulers were those who ruled their own kingdoms or principalities without being subject to the rule of any other power. There were many independent rulers in India before the arrival of the Mughals, and there continued to be some independent rulers after the Mughal Empire collapsed. However, the British East India Company gradually brought all of these independent rulers under its control.
In conclusion, the Ahom Kingdom was the only one of the four options that allowed its conquered territories to retain a degree of autonomy.