The correct answer is: b) Retained some autonomy but had its foreign policy dictated by Britain.
Sikkim was a British protectorate from 1861 to 1975. During this time, Sikkim retained some autonomy, but its foreign policy was dictated by Britain. This meant that Sikkim was not a direct colony of Britain, but it was not fully independent either.
Sikkim was a small kingdom in the Himalayas. It was ruled by a hereditary monarchy. In 1861, Sikkim signed a treaty with Britain, becoming a British protectorate. This treaty gave Britain control over Sikkim’s foreign policy, but it allowed Sikkim to retain some autonomy in its internal affairs.
Sikkim remained a British protectorate until 1975. In that year, Sikkim merged with India. This merger was controversial, and some people in Sikkim opposed it. However, the merger was ultimately successful, and Sikkim is now a state of India.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option a) is incorrect. Sikkim did not lose all control over its internal affairs. It retained some autonomy, but its foreign policy was dictated by Britain.
- Option b) is correct. Sikkim retained some autonomy but had its foreign policy dictated by Britain.
- Option c) is incorrect. Sikkim did not become a direct colony under British rule. It was a British protectorate, which meant that it had some autonomy.
- Option d) is incorrect. Sikkim did not gain full independence. It remained a British protectorate until 1975, when it merged with India.