The correct answer is: c) A mix of direct rule and princely states.
Gujarat was a princely state under British suzerainty during the British colonial period. This means that the British government had control over the foreign affairs and defense of Gujarat, but the internal affairs of the state were left to the princely rulers.
The British East India Company first established a presence in Gujarat in the 17th century. The company’s trading activities soon expanded into other areas, and by the 18th century, the British had become the dominant power in the region.
In 1818, the British defeated the Maratha Empire, which had previously controlled much of Gujarat. After the war, the British annexed some parts of Gujarat directly, while other parts were left under the rule of local princely rulers.
The British Raj, as the British colonial government was known, ruled Gujarat until 1947. After India gained independence, Gujarat became a part of the new Indian state.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option a) Direct British rule: This would have meant that the British government had complete control over Gujarat, both internally and externally. However, this was not the case.
- Option b) Princely states under British suzerainty: This was the actual situation in Gujarat during the British colonial period. The British government had control over the foreign affairs and defense of Gujarat, but the internal affairs of the state were left to the princely rulers.
- Option c) A mix of direct rule and princely states: This was the case in some other parts of India during the British colonial period. For example, the princely state of Hyderabad was a vassal state of the British Empire, but it had a great deal of autonomy in its internal affairs.
- Option d) Autonomous republic: This would have meant that Gujarat was an independent country, but this was not the case. Gujarat was a part of the British Empire during the colonial period.