The correct answer is: All of the above.
Many rulers of feudatory states supported the Indian National Congress and played a role in the freedom struggle. This support was driven by a desire for greater autonomy, ideals of democracy and self-rule, and opposition to British economic policies.
The feudatory states were princely states that were ruled by hereditary rulers. They were not part of British India, but they were under British suzerainty. This meant that the British had control over their foreign affairs and defense, but the rulers had a great deal of autonomy in internal matters.
Many of the rulers of the feudatory states were unhappy with British rule. They felt that they were being treated as second-class citizens and that they were not being given enough autonomy. They also opposed British economic policies, which they felt were unfair to them.
As a result, many of the rulers of the feudatory states supported the Indian National Congress. They saw the Congress as a way to achieve greater autonomy and self-rule for their states. They also saw the Congress as a way to oppose British economic policies.
The support of the rulers of the feudatory states was important to the Indian National Congress. It gave the Congress legitimacy and helped to broaden its support base. It also helped to weaken British rule in India.
In conclusion, the support of the rulers of the feudatory states was driven by a desire for greater autonomy, ideals of democracy and self-rule, and opposition to British economic policies. This support was important to the Indian National Congress and helped to achieve independence for India.
Here are some additional details about each of the options:
- Desire for greater autonomy: The rulers of the feudatory states were unhappy with British rule. They felt that they were being treated as second-class citizens and that they were not being given enough autonomy. They also opposed British economic policies, which they felt were unfair to them. As a result, many of the rulers of the feudatory states supported the Indian National Congress. They saw the Congress as a way to achieve greater autonomy and self-rule for their states.
- Ideals of democracy and self-rule: Many of the rulers of the feudatory states were influenced by the ideals of democracy and self-rule that were being promoted by the Indian National Congress. They believed that these ideals should be applied to their own states, and they supported the Congress’s efforts to achieve independence for India.
- Opposition to British economic policies: The rulers of the feudatory states were also opposed to British economic policies. They felt that these policies were unfair to them and that they were not benefiting from them. As a result, they supported the Indian National Congress’s efforts to oppose these policies.