The correct answer is: b) A mix of direct rule and indirect rule through tribal chiefs.
The British East India Company first came into contact with the Khasi people in the early 18th century. The Company established a trading post at Cherrapunji in 1772, and began to exert control over the region in the early 19th century.
The British initially attempted to rule Meghalaya directly, but this proved to be difficult due to the mountainous terrain and the independence of the Khasi people. In the 1830s, the British began to adopt a policy of indirect rule, whereby they allowed the Khasi chiefs to maintain control over their own affairs, but with British oversight.
This policy was largely successful, and the British were able to maintain control over Meghalaya until the end of the British Raj in 1947.
Option a) is incorrect because the British did not rule all areas of Meghalaya directly. They allowed the Khasi chiefs to maintain control over their own affairs, but with British oversight.
Option c) is incorrect because the British did not grant complete autonomy to the tribal communities of Meghalaya. They did, however, allow them to maintain a great deal of autonomy, and they did not interfere in their internal affairs.
Option d) is incorrect because the British did not focus on economic development of the region. They were more concerned with maintaining control over the region than with developing its economy.