The correct answer is: a) Desire to control trade routes to Tibet.
The British East India Company was interested in Sikkim because it was a strategically important location for controlling trade routes to Tibet. Sikkim is located in the Himalayas, between India and Tibet. The British wanted to control the trade routes through Sikkim in order to gain access to the markets of Tibet.
The British also had strategic concerns about Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal and Bhutan were both independent kingdoms that were located between India and Tibet. The British were worried that Nepal and Bhutan might become allies of Tibet and pose a threat to British interests in India.
The British were not interested in Sikkim for missionary activities or exploration and mapping. The British did not have a strong interest in converting people to Christianity in Sikkim, and they did not see Sikkim as a valuable location for exploration or mapping.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option a: Desire to control trade routes to Tibet. The British East India Company was interested in Sikkim because it was a strategically important location for controlling trade routes to Tibet. Sikkim is located in the Himalayas, between India and Tibet. The British wanted to control the trade routes through Sikkim in order to gain access to the markets of Tibet.
- Option b: Strategic concerns about Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal and Bhutan were both independent kingdoms that were located between India and Tibet. The British were worried that Nepal and Bhutan might become allies of Tibet and pose a threat to British interests in India.
- Option c: Missionary activities. The British did not have a strong interest in converting people to Christianity in Sikkim.
- Option d: Exploration and mapping. The British did not see Sikkim as a valuable location for exploration or mapping.