The correct answer is: a) Resisted colonial encroachment.
The British East India Company was a trading company that was granted a monopoly on trade with India by the British Crown in 1600. The company quickly became powerful and began to expand its territory in India. This expansion was met with resistance from many Indian rulers, who saw the British as a threat to their power. Some feudatory chiefs formed alliances with the British, while others resisted colonial encroachment.
Those who resisted colonial encroachment often did so by force. They fought against the British in battles and skirmishes. They also tried to undermine British authority by refusing to pay taxes or by supporting rebellions against British rule.
The resistance to British rule was ultimately unsuccessful. The British were able to defeat the Indian rulers and establish control over most of India. However, the resistance did help to slow down the pace of British expansion and to give the Indian people a sense of national identity.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) is incorrect because some feudatory chiefs did not retreat to remote areas. They remained in their territories and continued to resist British rule.
- Option c) is incorrect because some feudatory chiefs did not negotiate terms of autonomy with the British. They preferred to fight against British rule.
- Option d) is incorrect because some feudatory chiefs did not seek support from neighboring kingdoms. They preferred to rely on their own resources to resist British rule.